FIFTY years ago to the day, a British Rail Western diesel engine, Western Campaigner, did a non-stop Paddington to Penzance run. Last weekend a Class 52 Western locomotive was back over Westcountry rails to recreate the run as much as possible.

This time she left Paddington for a non-stop trip to Plymouth. After reversal it was back to Exeter for an afternoon break with the Dartmoor Railway at Okehampton and a run up to Meldon and back to Okehampton before leaving for Waterloo. Fifty years ago the train would have used the Gunnislake to Tavistock line across the moor.

There was a good turn out at Okehampton to welcome the train, a few people being passengers. Along the line small groups of enthusiasts had turned out with several at Crediton, mostly to take photographs.

Joining at Crediton to take the long train on to Okehampton were Dartmoor Railway members Dennis LeWorthy from Okehampton as the conducting guard, Keith Netherton from Par was the conducting driver.

Taking tickets were John Caesar from Exeter and Gerald Hocking from Zeal Monachorum.

Keith and Dennis were both in the green jackets representing the period the engine first came into service in 1962/3. Keith said his had been packed away in a trunk for the past 25 years in his attic.

He had joined British Rail in 1972 at the age of 15 at St Blazey as a telegramme boy.

He joined the footplate when he was 18, taking early retirement seven years ago. He has been with the Dartmoor Railway for six years, driving the diesels including the Polar Express.

The red and yellow engine was pulling a variety of carriages including Royal Scot, Torbay Express and buffet restaurant cars.

SUNDAY SERVICE

Summer Sunday training between Okehampton and Exeter, running through Crediton, begin again on Sunday, May 15 until September 11.

In a partnership with Devon County Council, the trains will be operated by Great Western Railway, running over the Tarka Line and Dartmoor Railway lines. From Okehampton, trains will call at Sampford Courtenay, Crediton, Exeter St David’s, Central and St James’ Park.

Times can be found on the poster at Crediton station, on line at: GWR.com or in its W3 timetable.

Sue Read