I could have nicked your spot ! Train left Reading at 05.53 & it was empty then but I decided against being right at the front because for me the ideal spot for filming steam loco(s) is from the rear of the 3rd or 4th coach for combination of motion & sound. Also I had assumed the support coach would of been at the front & that the support crew would partially block my filming view from the window you were at, but unusually it was on the rear for the outward leg. So you had the prime spot ! If you are interested or unaware you can see more of yourself (& the two Castles of course) at the channel playlist link at kzfaq.info/sun/PLPaUW7e4x2fXvBtWnK2dn060dA20od5zi & look for THE DEVONIAN PARTS 1 & 2. Enjoy, thanks for watching.

Classic GWR preserved steam day out, great fun. Thanks for watching.

Just watched the Titfield Thunderbolt for the first time in a long long time and I see the likeness that you refer, apart from anything else it creates a feelgood factor which we all need after the last 18 months

That's me in the leading coach, complete with customary red jacket, wooly hat and googles, my "uniform" for mainline steam tours which always ended up soot stained at the end of the tour. Great days and I can just smell the sulpher and hear the sounds from those marvelous Castle locos to this day!

Steam excursions being signal checked in the Totnes area was not uncommon in the early/mid 2000's, they tended to leave either Exeter St David's or Newton Abbot close behind a service train and there was a long block section beyond Totnes up towards Ivybridge I think from memory. I stand to be corrected on this but I think the signalling in the area has since been upgraded and more trains are able to occupy the Newton Abbot-Plymouth section.

@@Locohauledtrainsuk Unfortunately there are a lot less trains from Penzance, Plymouth, and Paignton heading away from the SW than there used to be 20/30 years ago :(

Thank you. Hope you come across others that interest you in due course

Thank you very much. Hope you find more to enjoy on the channel in due course.

Thanks for watching

No doubt helped by the unscheduled signal check at Totnes, the prevailing wind direction & the fact that I was on the milepost side of the train of this journey

The short answer is no there is no temporary or permanent speed restriction for steam at the River Dart bridge at Totnes. When I was filming video between 2000 & 2008 there was a long section from Totnes right the way to near Ivybridge I think which meant trains were often signal checked around Totnes if the train ahead had not cleared the section in front (& not just for steam either). The signalling was upgraded approx 15 years ago so more trains can be accommodated within the Newton Abbot-Plymouth stretch so this is much less of an issue these days. Another reason is, if necessary, the footplate crew will crawl down the bank from Dainton Summit to approaching Totnes to raise boiler pressure for the climb to Tigley & Rattery. Thanks for watching.