Vol.46 - Steam Routes West (The Western Way)

Ref: BR046D

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The Western Way takes a journey from Paddington to Saltash but not necessarily by the most direct route. This is a story mainly of branch lines and secondary services, connecting with the main line from Paddington, Reading, Gloucester, Bristol and Tiverton in 1963. Mostly we cover those secondary and branch lines often so ignored and not so well visited by film cameramen.

Gloucester is reached via Reading, after which there is a look at the Chalfont auto service along the Golden Valley.

On via Bristol Temple Meads to find Tiverton Junction. Here, in 1963, a railtour headed by 60022 "Mallard" allowed participants a trip from Exeter via Cadleigh behind two 45xx prairie tanks to the Junction, before visiting the Hemyock branch which was worked by 14xx auto tanks.

This theme continues for an extensive look in 1958 at the Teign Valley line from Newton Abbot to Exeter via Christow and Heathfield and it's branch to Moretonhampstead via Bovey, all in colour just before it closed to passengers;14xx and 45xx classes are the motive power. Titfield Thunderbolt stuff this, racing the local bus!

A branch to survive into preservation was the Ashburton line from Totnes. This is seen in depth, also in 1958 before closure, and all in colour. Before the Dart Valley or South Devon Railways came into existence, stock was stored and steamed at Totnes Quay including 6998, 1363 and 1466. Compare it all with the South Devon Railway of today!

Banking on Rattery is seen taking us further west into Plymouth and a shed visit to Laira. An auto train is used to journey across the Saltash Bridge and visit the station. Steam in and out of Cornwall in the hands of Castle, County and Grange classes.

And back to Paddington with "Burton Agnes Hall", "City of Truro", a Castle and the last County No. 1011 plus diesel hydraulics at Iver.

We conclude with No. 7025 "Sudeley Castle" arriving under Brunel's roof showiing just how it was in the days of steam.!

Twenty-five classes of steam, most of them ex-GWR, and the true GWR branch line atmosphere are well portrayed. There is some very rare footage here!.

Availability: AVAILABLE

Cover photo: Jim Oatway, 6823 "Oakley Grange" at Southall Shed.
Narrated by: Colin White
First published on DVD: 2003
Screen aspect ratio: 4:3 SD
Classification: Exempt
Number of discs: 1 DVD-R
Origination: 8mm cone-film

Running Time: 60-mins (1hr 0min) , Mostly colour, 6% Black & White
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