The last steam railtour to the Westcountry for the 2024 season saw 35028 'Clan Line' head the Atlantic Coast Express from London Waterloo to Exeter St David's down The Mule via Salisbury and Yeovil Junction with the return leg via Taunton, Bristol Temple Meads, Westbury and Salisbury.

My original intention was the phot the tour from Sherborne Old Castle as it cruised down the bank from Milborne Port to Sherborne. Unfortunately, the Old Castle was closed (despite being advertised as open). So, having met up with forum mascot, Finn and his carer, JayMac, we retreated to Sherborne station before chasing (well, running ahead of) the tour to Pinhoe.

So, seen here at Sherborne and Pinhoe. Picture 3 is published by kind permission of a fellow Pinhoe resident, featuring three icons!

 
Phil did the stills, Finn did the vids.

 
Finn is a remarkably talented Coffee Shop forum mascot. 

 
He's really mastered the panning shots - will he be trained to use the drone next?

 
When Justin has repaired it. 

 
Work in progress. I've got the tools. Just need to source a replacement motor and get soldering. Probably fixed sometime this decade.

 
I looked out my old railtour papers and came across two last trains to Exeter in 1966. The second with 35023 managed 102mph at Hurstbourne and 98 at Porton!
Winkworth’s book on the Bulleid Pacifics details the run with Bert Hooker driving to Salisbury.

 
Would have loved to see her climbing from St David's to Central!
Thank you both (and Finn, sorry), lovely shots.

 

Sadly, not an option on this tour. Down from Central to St David's then returning via Taunton.

 

A colourised copy of a photo I took (as a 9 year old!), with an old Kodak bellows camera, of 35023 approaching Pinhoe on that tour....