One of the most popular locos to traverse the Sea Wall during 2001 was Porterbrook-owned No. 57601, which was operated on a trial basis by FGW prior to authorisation for squadron rebuilding of the Class 47 fleet. On its first day in passenger service, No. 57601 pulls away from its Dawlish stop on June 11, 2001 with the 09.20 Plymouth-Paddington. The train is formed of a rake of refurbished FGW liveried Mk2 vehicles. CJM.

For the peak weeks of the 2001 summer, steam traction was used on the Exeter-paignton route with two return 'Dawlish Donkey' trains operated each Monday-Thursday, plus a run from Exeter to Totnes and return on Sundays. Hauling a rake of 'blood & custard' Mk1s, 'Standard' No. 76079 approaches Dawlish from Kennaway Tunnel on August 5, 2001 with a Plymouth-Exeter positioning move. This picture is taken from the balcony of The Marine Tavern in Marine Parade, Dawlish. CJM.

The new Virgin Trains 'Voyager' and 'Super Voyager' sets of Class 220 and 221 are now starting to enter service on VTs CrossCountry network. The very first west country run of a class member was on May 4, 2001 when set No. 220003 worked a testing special from Central Rivers depot near Burton to Plymouth to enable a day of performance tests to be carried out over the Devon banks between Newton Abbot and Plymouth. No. 220003 is seen passing along Marine Parade, Dawlish bound for Plymouth. CJM.

The use of HST power cars as 'locomotives' to haul another train is very rare, however on December 10, 2000, power cars Nos. 43019/182 were coupled back to back and used to haul a failed IC125 set, complete with its power cars from Exeter to Plymouth Laira. The movement took place when no FGW or Virgin locos were available at Laira. Train number 5Z77, 12.00 Exeter-Laira, which looks like a triple headed IC125 is seen passing along the famous South Devon sea wall at Dawlish. The formation from front to rear was power cars Nos. 43182, 43019, 43042, trailer vehicles Nos. 44049, 42145, 42144, 42143, 42268, 40745, 41136 and power car No. 43024 on the rear. CJM.

By the look at this Dawlish sea front scene, the town is still a very popular holiday resort! However, Dawlish does not usually get this busy, the thousands of people on the sea wall and beach in this August 16, 2001 view were awaiting the arrival of the RAF acrobatic display team 'The Red Arrows' who usually visit Dawlish for a spectacular air display on the town's annual carnival day. Class 150 No. 150233 departs from the station with the 13.54 Exmouth-Paignton. CJM.

The view from between Clerks and Parsons tunnels between Dawlish and Teignmouth offers a superb view. The town and station of Dawlish can be seen in the distance and the secluded Horse Cove is in the foreground. This view taken on March 11, 2000 shows Class 67s Nos. 67008 and 67004 powering a driver training special from Bristol Barton Hill to St Blazey. The sun at this location is suitable for pictures from around 12.30 for just a couple of hours. CJM.

The mechanical signal box at Dawlih was closed when colour light signalling was installed as part of the Exeter area re-signalling in the mid-1980s, however the GW design box still exists on the up platform at Dawlish, being a listed structure. The building has been offered for let on many occassions but nobody has been prepaired to take on its upkeep. Viewed from the down platform, a Virgin HST, led by power car No. 43090 forms the 07.19 Penzance-Edinburgh on March 11, 2000. CJM.

Today, the majority of freight on the Sea Wall is powered by General Motors Class 66s, Class 60s still feature on some trains. Painted in the short lived Main Line Freight 'Aircraft Blue', No. 60044 passes Dawlish on March 11, 2000 with the up Saturday only Burngullow-Irvine china-clay tanks. On the down platform line is a six-car Class 159 forming a Waterloo-Paignton service. CJM.

This site is maintained by TheRailwayCentre.Com and authored by Colin J Marsden, it is a guide to the world famous
section of line between Exeter and Newton Abbot, traversing the Dawlish Sea Wall.

The author can be contacted at SeaWall@TheRailwayCentre.Com