A new 96 page book on the Dawlish Sea Wall - The Railway between Exeter and Newton Abbot - has just been
published by Ian Allan Publishing and authored by the owner of this website. The book includes some 30,000 words
on the history, development and operation of this popular section of railway line and includes around 200 colour and black & white illustrations covering both the steam and modern traction era.

The book is available at £14.99 from usual Ian Allan book outlets. In Dawlish the book is available from Emotions,
23 The Strand, Dawlish. This shop, on the main shopping street of the town also sells a number of other local rail titles.
Emotions is open from 09.00 to 17.00 Monday to Saturday.
You will also find signed copies available in the Laffinn Inn and The Marine Tavern public houses.

Copies of the Dawlish Carnival Air Show 2009 Official Souvenir Programme are available at just £3 including post and packing from TRC PO Box 45 Dawlish Devon. EX7 9XY.

Make cheques payable to Dawlish Carnival Committee.

Dawlish Air Show - 20 August 2009

The annual Dawlish Air Show was held as part of Dawlish Carnival on 20 August 2009. First great Western operated a number of additional services between Exeter and Newton Abbot/Paignton. One HST set was operated and one loco hauled five car formation, using Class 67s Nos. 67005 and 67025 'top and tail' the highlight of the air show was a visit of the only preserved and operational Avro Vulcan, which fly together with the Red Arrows in a special series of fly-pasts. Click here to see images of the 2009 Air Show

Class 67 No. 67005 is seen approaching Dawlish with a Newton Abbot to Exeter service

Failure of 'The King' 16 August 2009

Following failure of GW 'King' No. 6024 at Bristol, the Torbay Express on Sunday 16 August 2009 was powered by 'Royal' Class 67 No. 67005. The train is seen passing a FGW HST alongside Marine Parade, Dawlish.

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'Inter-City' days return to the Sea Wall 15 August 2009

Rail Blue charters operated the 'Seaside Express' from Chesterfield to Paignton and return on 15 August 2009. The train formed of Cargo-D blue and grey liveried Mk2 and Mk3 stock was powered by DRS Class 47s Nos. 47501 and 47802. The outward leg of the tour is seen passing Dawlish. On the return, No. 47802 failed and was detached from the train at Exeter St Davids.

Following failure of GW 'King' No. 6024 at Bristol, the Torbay Express on Sunday 16 August 2009 was powered by 'Royal' Class 67 No. 67005. The train is seen passing a FGW HST alongside Marine Parade, Dawlish..

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'Tornado' Sunday 2 August 2009

A1 No. 60163 'Tornado' powered the 'Torbay Express' from Bristol to Kingswear on Sunday 2 August 2009. Running a little late after waiting for a westbound HST at Exeter, the train is seen heading towards Kennaway Tunnel, Dawlish. Just note how many people are watching the train, especially on the footbridge at the entrance to the tunnel!

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Thursday 23 July 2009

First Great Western Buffet car No. 40803 was transferred from Plymouth Laira to Brush-Barclay of Kilmarnock on 23 July 2009 for refurbishment in a special transit move, 5S66 the 09.00 Laira to Kilmarnock. The train was operated by First GBRf with Class 66 No. 66723 providing the traction. The coach was marshalled between barrier coaches 6330 and 6336. The train is seen approaching Rockstone Bridge, Dawlish.

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Network Rail track test coach No. 999508 visited the West Country between 20-23 July 2009, visiting Devon and Cornwall and traversing a number of branch lines. On 23 July 2009 the set formed train 2Z08, the 05.04 Truro to Exeter via Falmouth Docks and Paignton. The train was formed of DBSO No. 9701, saloon No. 999508 with Class 31 No. 31285 providing power on the rear. The train is seen approaching Rockstone Bridge, Dawlish.

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EWS DBS VIP train visits Sea Wall

The DBS VIP train made its first ever run over the Dawlish Sea Wall on 21 July 2009 whet it formed train 1Z05, the 09.48 Bristol Parkway to Tavistock Junction and 1Z06, 14.10 Tavistock Junction to Bristol Parkway. The train was formed Class 67 No. 67029, TF 11039, Support Car 10211, Sleeper 10546 and DVT 82146. The Class 67 led in the west bound direction with the DVT leading the 'up' train. This was the first ever train to be led by a DVT to traverse the Sea Wall. The 'up' train is seen approaching Dawlish station in heavy rain.

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Second week of 2009 Torbay Express - 12 July 2009

The second week of the 2009 season of 'Torbay Express' operation on 12 July 2009 again produced A1 No. 60163 Tornado. Huge crowds greeted the train along the Dawlish Sea Wall, where thankfully the sun was out. This weeks view of the train is recorded passing Langstone Rock.

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FGW introduce day time Sleeper Service ??

No, First Great Western have not launched a daytime Sleeper service to combat late running, this was just a stock move caused by a train failure the previous night when the Penzance to Paddington service failed in Cornwall. The 'up' train on the night of 5 July failed near Burngullow with electrical trouble involving loco No. 57602 and the stock. After rescue by a pair of powercars the train was taken to Plymouth Laira. As the stock was required in London to form the westbound service on 6 July, sister loco No. 57605 was sent light from Old Oak Common to haul the train to London. The stock move powered by the only two FGW-blue liveried Class 57s operated as 3Z70, 15.30 Laira to Old Oak which ran some 66 minutes late. The amazing view of a daytime sleeper is seen rounding Langstone Rock at Dawlish Warren.

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Torbay Express 2009
The first week of the 2009 Torbay Express season was on Sunday 5 July. This year the train operates as 1Z27, 09.15 Bristol Temple Meads to Kingswear and 1Z28, 17.15 Kingswear to Bristol Temple Meads. The 2009 Torbay Express trains have received headline news in the west country with the first six weeks of operation powered by new A1 'Pacific' No. 60163 Tornado.

Althogh the day was generally dull, thankfully sun managed to shine for the passing of the westbound train, seen here passing Dawlish.

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Railtours - 27 June 2009
Two railtours visited the Dawlish Sea Wall on Saturday 27 June 2009
The Pathfinder Railtours charter from Portsmouth Harbour to Penzance "The Cornish Explorer" was booked for a pair of DBS Class 37s. However, as DBS could not provide a pair of Class 37s, The Class 40 Preservation Society provided Class 40 No. 40145 to work the train. The outward working is seen rounding the curve at Dawlish Warren, heading for Dawlish.

The Spitfire Railtours "The Kernow Growley" tour from Birmingham International to Penzance operated on the same day. Power was provided by Direct Rail Services Class 37/0s Nos. 37194 and 37087. The pair are seen heading west at Dawlish Warren.

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Brush Kilmarnock to Laira stock move - 24 April 2009
Five Mk3 HST vehicles 42381, 42294, 42147, 42102 and 41175 (formed between barrier cars 6330/6348), part of the former EC56 set which is now on lease to FGW, was hauled from Brush Kilmarnock to Laira on 24 April 2009. Power from Kilmarnock to Bristol was Advenza Class 47 No. 47237, while forward from Bristol power was provided by No. 47818.

Right: The stock move, complete with 'Gloucester Globetrotters' headboard is seen passing Dawlish Warren. CJM

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VSOE weekend on the Wall 24-26 April 2009
the annual VSOE visit to the West Country is over the weekend of 24-26 April 2009. the train powered by 67030 operated west of Friday 24 April as the1Z82 09.44 Victoria to Truro, passing along the Dawlish Sea Wall in the early afternoon. On Saturday 25 April the train will operate a Plymouth to Taunton and return lunch service before running empty to Exeter to operate an evening Exeter to Kingswear and return dinner train. On the morning on Sunday 26 April the set will operate empty from Exeter to truro before forming the 1Z27 12.50 Truro to Victoria.

Right: The down Victoria to truro service is seen running along the side of the River Exe at Starcross. CJM

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NENTA to Kingswear - 18 April 2009
The North East Norfolk Touring Association (NENTA) operated a special from Norwich to Kingswear and return on Saturday 18 April. The train was operated by the West Coast Railway Co and powered by Class 47s Nos. 47804 and 47854 working in 'top and tail' mode. The train was entitled "Torbay Coast Boat Train" and carried a headboard in both direction.

Right Top: The westbound charter is seen approaching Kennaway Tunnel led by No. 47804. CJM

Right Bottom: The returning charter is seen approaching Dawlish Warren, powered by No. 47854. CJM

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Great Chesterford to Torquay charter - 17 April 2009
On 17 April 2009 a weekend charter from Great Chesterford to Torquay operated, powered by DBS Class 67s Nos. 67029 and 67005 working 'top and tail'. The outward journey ran as train 1Z76, the 10.58 Great Chesterford to Torquay. After off-loading its passengers the train continued empty to Kingswear before 67005 ran light to Bristol Barton Hill, leaving No. 67029 at Kingswear all weekend. The westbound working is seen passing Dawlish led by No. 67029.

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'Glowing' times on the Sea Wall
The Sea Wall was host to a pair of flask wagons on Wednesday 8 April 2009, when DRS Class 57 No. 57010 powered flask wagons 95770 and 95771 as train 6Z75 09.12 Keyman (MoD Devonport) to Crewe.

Right: The train is seen slowly traversing the Dawlish Sea Wall at Rockstone Bridge following an 'up' Paddington bound passenger service. CJM

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Great Britain Il
The West Country leg of the 'Great Britain II' tour operated over the Sea Wall on Tuesday 7 April 2009. Westbound the train operated as 1Z21 07.45 Bristol Temple Meads to Penzance powered by 'Western' No. D1015. The train returned as a very late running 1Z22 13.02 Penzance to Bristol Temple Meads powered by Bulleid No. 34067 Tangmere and Standard No. 70013 Oliver Cromwell.

Right Top. In pleasing sun, No. D1015 storms through Dawlish with the westbound 1Z21 07.45 Bristol Temple Meads to Penzance 'Great Britain II' tour on 7 April 2009. CJM

Right Bottom: In the very last light of day, Nos 34067 and 70013 pass along the Dawlish Sea Wall at Langstone Rock powering the very late running 1Z22 13.02 Penzance - Bristol running 90 minutes late. CJM

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First steam of 2009 on Sea Wall
The first steam of 2009 to traverse the Dawlish Sea Wall was on Saturday 5 April 2009, when the 'Royal Duchy' charter operated from London Paddington to Par. The train was powered by Class 52 'Western' No. D1015 as far as Westbury, from where steam No. 5029 Nunney Castle and 70013 Oliver Cromwell took over. Sadly on the way west at Newton Abbot No. 5029 was found to have a hot box on the tender and was removed from the train. The train returned from Par powered by western No. D1015.

Right; Just before failure, Nos. 5029 and 70013 pass Dawlish with the westbound Royal Duchy on 5 April 2009. CJM

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Sea Wall engineering work 2
On Sunday 15 February 2009, a further section of the down line along the Sea Wall was relaid, this time involving a section from adjacent to Sea Lawn Terrace to just past Rockstone Bridge.

This week four trains were involved. 6W41 powered by 66117 ran as the 16.36 (Sat) Westbury to Dawlish via Newton Abbot formed of spoil wagons and rail flats to collect the lifted track sections, this returned as 6W41 (Sun) 08.00 Exeter to Westbury (ran early). 6W42 (Sat) powered by 66198 ran as the 17.44 Westbury to Dawlish via Newton Abbot and was formed of ballast spoil wagons, this departed the work site as 6W42 (Sun) 11.00 Exeter to Westbury (ran VERY early). 6W43 (Sat) the 18.46 Westbury to Dawlish formed of loaded 'Falcon' ballast wagons and sleeper flats was top and tailed by 66169 and 66074 to enable the train to split in section and operate as two trains. This train left the worksite at as the 6W43 (Sun) 16.44 Exeter to Westbury. The new ballast operated as 6W44 (Sun) 10.01 Newport ADJ to Exeter St Thomas powered by 66055 and worked west over the new section.

Right Top: At the start of the track work EWS Class 66/0 No. 66117 on train 6W41 Westbury - Dawlish stands in the up platform waiting for work to commence. Allan Wright

Right Bottom: The view from Rockstone Bridge at 10.00 on Sunday 15 February with train 6W43 being offloaded. No. 66074 in is the distance. CJM - Click image to enlarge

Sea Wall engineering work 1
Several weekends of major engineering work took place at various locations along the sea wall route in January and February 2009. On Sunday 8 February work to relay the down line adjacent to Sea Lawn Terrace took place, with four engineering trains on site at various times. The track removal train 6W41 was powered by Class 59/0 No. 59005 which departed from the worksite back to Westbury at dawn, DBS No. 66174 worked train 6W42 which removed spoil from the site, top and tail Class 59s Nos. 59001 and 59204 powered train 6W43 consisting of under ballast and new sleepers, while new ballast, running as train 6W44 was powered by 66119. For much of Sunday the top and tailed Class 59 train was located in the station to Rockstone bridge area.

Right Top: No. 59001 painted in Aggregate Industries livery stands adjacent to San Remo Terrace, Dawlish while new under ballast is unloaded. CJM

Right Middle: With No. 59001 now stabled adjacent to Sealawn Terrace the new sleeper sections were being off-loaded, the new sleepers can be seen in position on the down line formation. CJM

Right Bottom: The road crane unit is seen lifting sleepers off the track train onto the new formation. CJM

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Sea Wall Flask Traffic
DRS Class 47 No. 47832 formed train 6Z73 the 04.33 Crewe to MoD Keyham (Devonport Dockyard) on 21 January 2009. the train was formed of two flask wagons KUA MODA95770 and KUA MODA95771. The pair traversed the Sea Wall at just after 12.30. After detaching the flasks at the Dockyard the Class 47 returned light to Plymouth.

A return working of the flasks from Devonport is expected over the next few days.

Right: In seasonal (poor) weather, the train is seen passing Dawlish. CJM

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National Express work with CrossCountry
On 4 and 5 January 2009, due to a shortage of CrossCountry powercars, National Express Class 43 No. 43295 was hired-in by the operator. On 5 January 2009 the power car is seen leading the 13.21 Plymouth to Edinburgh service near the village of Cofton, close to Cockwood. On the rear of the train was XC power car No. 43301.

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