The Devonshire Riviera Express 

Steamy Affairs engaged The Class 50 Alliance to provide motive Power for their Devonshire Riviera Express on the 1st October 2005. Hood and Defiance took the train from Northampton via Watford and Reading to Bristol Temple Meads where A4 60009 provided the steam interest by taking the train forward to Kingswear on the Paignton and Dartmouth Railway. Hood and Defiance assisted Union of South Africa (a fellow Severn Valley Railway resident) up the bank out of Paignton and after a break at Kingswear returned the passengers to Northampton via the Berks and Hants. 

Waiting for passengers at Hemel Hemsptead, in the early morning sunshine.

Photo Peter Richards

Passing Didcot in the early morning sunshine.

Photo David Keogh

Leaving the train at Bristol Temple Meads for Paignton.

Photo Joseph Burr

The 50s ran light engine ahead of the steam hauled coaches from Bristol to Paignton.  From the rear cab of 49 here is the sea wall near Dawlish.

Photo Neil Morgan

Standing at the Network Rail platforms at Paignton awaiting access to the P&DR.

Photo Nicholas Green

At cruising speed.........

Photo Neil Morgan