The Devon Crompton - 8th March 2020

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The Devon Crompton charter was operated by The Branchline Society on Sunday 8th March 2020. The tour operated using two veteran Class 33 locomotives, No.33207 (from West Coast Railways) and No.33012 (from the 71A Preservation Group). The 1Z38 09:38 London Victoria - Coleford Junction ran via the former southern stomping group of the Class arriving into Yeovil Junction around 13:00. The tour then reversed to include the Yeovil Junction - Yeovil Pen Mill link before proceeding west to Exeter, Crediton and Coleford Junction. The 1Z39 16:40 Coleford Junction - London Waterloo return leg of the charter was routed via Taunton, Bristol, Bath, and Westbury to Salisbury to include some of the former routes the Class once operated in British Railways days. - This video shows the No.33207 and No.33012 making light work of Whiteball Bank heading into Somerset and back to the Capital. 
I spent the day capturing the tour in the South West starting near Yeovil and following the trains progress through to Crediton and back towards Taunton.

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GWR Class 166 No.166211 departs from Yeovil Pen Mill on the 8th February 2020 operating 2O71 08:19 Bristol Temple Meads - Weymouth.

A transitional pair of Class 159s No.159108 (in former South West Trains colours) and No.159007 (in South Western Railways colours) calls at Yeovil Junction on the 8th March 2020 working 1L17 11:15 London Waterloo - Exeter St Davids service.

South Western Railways new diagram arrives into Yeovil Pen Mill on the 8th March 2020 No.159014 and No.159019 operate 1O36 09:50 Yeovil Junction - London Waterloo which runs via Yeovil Pen Mill and Castle Cary.

South Western Railway Class 159 No.159009 arrives Yeovil Junction on the 8th March 2020 operating 1L36 09:25 Exeter St Davids - London Waterloo. The set would of most likely joined another at Salisbury to form a six car set onwards to London.

South Western Railway Class 159s No.159018 and No.159103 pass Bradford Abbas on the 8th March 2020 in a passing rain storm while working 1L25 10:15 London Waterloo - Exeter St Davids.

West Coast Railways Class 33 No.33207 leads No.33012 west through Bradford Abbas on the 8th March 2020 at the helm of The Branchline Society 'The Devon Crompton' charter. The 1Z38 09:38 London Victoria - Coleford Junction also visited Yeovil Pen Mill via reversal at Yeovil Junction.

On Sunday 8th March 2020 two Class 33 locomotives visited Yeovil Junction as part of The Branchline Society 'The Devon Crompton' charter. At Yeovil the 1Z398 09:38 London Victoria - Coleford Junction No.33207 was removed from the front and placed on the oposite end of the train to run in top and tail formation. The train then visited Yeovil Pen Mill before continuing to Coleford Junction.

On Sunday 8th March 2020 two Class 33 locomotives visited Yeovil Junction as part of The Branchline Society 'The Devon Crompton' charter. At Yeovil the 1Z398 09:38 London Victoria - Coleford Junction No.33207 was removed from the front and placed on the oposite end of the train to run in top and tail formation. The train then visited Yeovil Pen Mill before continuing to Coleford Junction.

West Coast Railways Class 33 No.33207 runs around 'The Devon Crompton' charter at Yeovil Junction on the 9th March 2020.

West Coast Railways Class 33 No.33207 stands at Yeovil Junction on Sunday 8th March 2020, 1Z38 09:38 London Victoria - Coleford Junction prepares to depart to Yeovil Pen Mill in top and tail formation.

West Coast Railways Class 33 No.33207 stands at Yeovil Junction on Sunday 8th March 2020, 1Z38 09:38 London Victoria - Coleford Junction prepares to depart to Yeovil Pen Mill in top and tail formation. Exhibits from the Yeovil Railway centre were also seen in light steam while the tour was at Yeovil.

South Western Railway Class 158 No.158881 is pictrued at Yeovil Junction coupleed with No.159017 on the 8th March 2020 working 1L29 11:15 London Waterloo - Exeter St Davids.

Preserved Class 33 from the 81A Preservation Group rides on the rear of the 1Z38 09:38 London Victoria - Coleford Jn via Yeovil Pen Mill charter on the 8th March 2020 departing for Yeovil Pen Mill.

The Branchline Society 'The Devon Crompton' charter arrives into Honiton on Sunday 8th March 2020, hauling 1Z38 09:38 London Victoria - Coleford Jn via Yeovil Pen Mill, the train was running in top and tail formation with West Coast Railways Class 33 No.33207 located on the rear of the train.

South Western Railway Class 159 No.159103 and No.159018 arrives through the rain into Honiton working 1L58 14:25 Exeter St Davids - London Waterloo.

The Branchline Society 'The Devon Crompton' charter departs from Honiton on Sunday 8th March 2020, hauling 1Z38 09:38 London Victoria - Coleford Jn via Yeovil Pen Mill, the train was running in top and tail formation with West Coast Railways Class 33 No.33207 located on the rear of the train.

West Coast Railways Class 33 No.33207 leads 'The Devon Crompton' charter across the Crediton Level Crossing on Sunday 3rd March 2020 operating the 1Z39 16:40 Coleford Junction - London Waterloo charter.

Presevered Class 33 No.33012 from the 81A Preservation Group is pictured at Crediton on Sunday 8th March 2020. The loco was riding on the rear of the 1Z39 16:40 Coleford Junction - London Waterloo via Bristol, with No.33207 out of sight at the front of the train.

GWR Class 158 No.158745 arrives into Crediton on the 2J33 15:38 Barnstaple - St James Park stopping service on the 10th March 2020.

Preserved and Mainline Registered Class 33 No.33012 sits on the rear of the Branchline Society Charter 'The Devon Crompton' at Crediton on Sunday 8th March 2020 shortly after a heavy rainstorm had passed through the area.

Preserved and Mainline Registered Class 33 No.33012 sits on the rear of the Branchline Society Charter 'The Devon Crompton' at Crediton on Sunday 8th March 2020 shortly after a heavy rainstorm had passed through the area.