Ex-LMS 'Black 5' Class 5MT - 44871 would take an early summer holiday, as it powered the 'The Royal Duchy' for the Railway Touring Company; the first of the programme for the year.
The tour started out of Bristol Temple Meads, with 44871 working through Yatton down the South Devon Mainline to Plymouth, and onto the Cornish Mainline as far as Par. After 44871 was turned and serviced at St Blazey, the tour would retrace the route on the return to Bristol.
With the ongoing troubles surrounding West Coast Railways and their lack of central door locking on heritage coaches, this first edition of ‘The Royal Duchy’ would be comprised of primarily BR MK2 coaches; CDL fitted, but air braked. Consequently, this meant that the original plan for 45596 “Bahamas” to feature as the steam traction had to be revised, with 44871 picking up the mantle with West Coast Railway Class 47 - 47746 “Chris Fudge 29.7.70 - 22.6.10” providing support. The change of traction would see the ‘Black 5’ up against tight timings in order to maintain the booked path of the tour, necessitating some aid from 47746 over the steep gradients.
44871 appeared in fine fettle in the quaint countryside at Beambridge, putting in a powerful performance as it climbed Wellington Bank towards Whiteball Tunnel. Overtaking the consist during a water stop, the ‘Black 5’ issued an assured getaway from Tiverton Loop as it passed beneath Dean Hill Road near Willand. A similar sure-footed performance could be seen at Hazard Farm as the ‘Black 5’ climbed Rattery Bank. Into Cornwall, and the Stanier stalwart appeared to be well in its stride as it passed Treboul Cross Farm, powering away from St Germans. The return leg produced some spirited performances from both 44871 and 47746, with sights set clear for a rapid run back to Bristol. This would first be demonstrated at Homeward Hill Overbridge as the pair lifted the tour out of Par, and later as they flattened Hemerdon Bank passing beneath Ledgate Lane. As the afternoon sun began to wear thin, the tour would catch washed rays of light as it glided through Stoke Canon. Finally, at Burlescombe, 44871 delivered a crescendo of barking cylinders as it lead the tour up the reverse of Wellington Bank.
00:00 - Beambridge
01:16 - Dean Hill Road
02:19 - Hazard Farm
04:12 - Treboul Cross Farm
06:08 - Homeward Hill Overbridge
07:35 - Ledgate Lane
09:23 - Stoke Canon
10:24 - Burlescombe
All footage filmed on Sunday the 5th of May 2024.