From Newton Abbot to Exeter the railway runs alongside water – firstly down the River Teign to Teignmouth, then along the coast to Dawlish Warren, and up the Exe to the County Town (or City). The proximity of both makes for picturesque combinations, and as much of the length is along the seashore, where there is a seawall walk, holiday makers and locals gain a greater appreciation of the railway, as they don’t normally see it from so close up, and in beautiful settings.
D604 “COSSACK” – the last of the five pilot batch of the class – is at Powderham wearing steam-age destination boards on its front end. Ballast is neatly laid against the coarse grass of the embankment, and the spit of land at Dawlish Warren is on the horizon. 5906##A01-POW–D604-PAS_U
A new D800 “SIR BRIAN ROBERTSON”, with pristine wide open headcode flaps, takes one of its early services with the “up” Cornish Riviera Express” along the sea wall on 6th November 1958. It was the only one of its class to carry a single line nameplate. 581106A01-TGM–D800-PAS_Uc5
Judging by there being only a small amount of grease on its shiny new buffers, this pilot scheme ‘Warship’ is fairly new, as it heads an express towards Newton Abbot at Dawlish. Just as the view from the carriages here is absorbing, so is the view towards them as demonstrated by the walkers and keenly attentive boy leaning over the retaining wall. 6####HO02-DWL–D8##-PAS_U
This picture is probably not “quite” what the photographer was hoping for, but this shot of a Swindon-built ‘Warship’ emerging from the tunnel under Teignmouth Hill and passing through Dawlish Station is still worth preserving for archival value. It is in green livery with a pre-yellow warning panel front end, and hauls a set of maroon coaching stock. 6####HO01-DWL–D8##-PAS_U
Another attempt at ‘freezing’ the flight of a ‘Warship’ entering Dawlish Station was probably disappointing to the photographer – this time it carries a headboard, and the stock is brown and cream as carried by crack expresses, and reminiscent of the GWR. Cars of the period are orderly parked diagonally beside the tracks at Marine Terrace. 6####HO03-DWL–D8##-PAS_U
Despite greasy buffer heads suggesting a fair amount of use, D866 ‘ZEBRA’ has been reasonably recently released into traffic, evidenced by its clean white builder’s plate amidships, in 1961, on a down stopper at Dawlish. I was initially interested in this image because of its resemblance to Marazion, and decided to preserve it for posterity – however badly composed. 61###AH01-UNK-D866-PASG
A grey day saddens the heart as 47055 heads a special from Llandudno towards Plymouth along the Exe estuary at the end of 1978. Remains of groynes protrude into the sea and waste ballast is heaped as half-hearted attempts to repulse coastal erosion. 781104A01-SCS-47055-PAS_D
A ‘Western’ takes a down passenger service towards Starcross village. The long pier leads to the Exmouth Ferry departure point, and the Italianesque tower was formerly a pumping house on Brunel’s abandoned “atmospheric railway”. Photo: Peter Noonan. 6####GW01-SCS-D10##-PAS_D
The photographer is just about to cross the bridge over the Holcombe valley as the slightly canted over train hauled by 47055 makes for Plymouth. This is one of few access points from the sea wall to the beach, which seems to be well patronised today. 781007A02-TGM-47055-PAS_D
Teignmouth pier is in sight as 47055 brakes for the curve with an adex (day excursion) Llandudno – Plymouth service on 7th October 1978. Semaphores are still in evidence, the diamond plate on the nearest advising the driver the Signaller is aware of position of the train. 781007A01-TGM-47055-PAS_D
On a chilly day there seem to be quite a few people around on the sea wall as a Brush Type 4 passes by Dawlish Sea Wall with a down passenger train of Mk I stock. The sight of a train does make a pleasant diversion from walking and taking in the sea view. 6####AZ01-DWL-D15XX-PAS_D
D1667 “ATLAS” passes along the sea wall at Dawlish with an unidentified service towards Plymouth on 10th September 1968. The tide is out and the beach only looks enticing for rock pools and walking, but holiday makers seem to be enjoying the sun and the view. 680910A01-DWL-D1667-PAS_D
In this view from a train, D1015 “WESTERN CHAMPION” is about to pass a Class 46 on the opposite track while en route to Exeter. The cliffs shade the sun but the headland beyond is still lit. An entry point has been pushed through the nearby wall. 7####BS03-DWL-D1015-PAS_U
You can almost imagine the controlled swaying of D1015 “WESTERN CHAMPION”, the sound reverberating off the wall, and the ‘catch’ while its speed is checked, as continues its journey towards Parson’s Tunnel at the neck of the outcrop beyond. 7####BV06-DWL-D1015-PAS_U
Not quite discernible as to its identity, a ‘Western’ rounds the curve at Langstone Rock and heads for Dawlish Warren. Between the rock armour and the line, most people’s eyes are interested in the train’s sudden appearance that disturbs their peace. 7####EN01-DWL-D10##-PAS_U
A Western swings into the curve with a midland service as it banks beside the Deer Park at Powderham Castle on the Exe estuary. The track is jointed and on wooden sleepers, not a lot higher than the nearby river now swollen with the tide. 7####AR01-POW-D1037-PAS_U
A regal-looking Western with “eight on” rounds a curve north of Powderham, the lineside to its right stretching away to the levee protecting it from incursion by the River Exe. On the other side of the train is wood from telegraph poles and sleepers awaiting recovery. 6####FT01-POW-D10##-PAS_D
The River Exe is peppered with small craft as D1037 ‘WESTERN EMPRESS’ speeds westwards with a passenger service at the end of the 60’s. It is in blue livery with small warning panel, and the carriages carry destination boards on their bodysides. 690821A01-SCS-D1037-PAS_D
Domino code 50028 “Tiger” heads a westbound Paddington to Plymouth service at Dawlish in the early 1980s, alongside a commendable public walkway and retaining wall. Pine trees, rock outcrops, scree and undergrowth feature clearly on the landward side. 8####AF01-DWL-50028-PAS_D
In 1981, 50001 “Dreadnought” breaks the pastoral peace with its train of air-conditioned stock, but the cows in the field before it remain more concerned with the serious business of eating. The beautiful backdrop extends up towards the heights of Dartmoor. 760509A01-POW-50001-PAS_D
In original livery, a High Speed Train set begins the curve at Langstone Rock between Dawlish and Dawlish Warren. The red sandstone cliffs behind were frequently making falls. but as yet have not had mesh sheet covering and lineside fencing to protect the line. 8####AD01-DWL-253XX-PAS_U
A flock of pigeons sun themselves on the roof of what was once the pumping station at the east end of Brunel’s atmospheric railway, but at this time houses a boating business. It is built of large blocks of Devonian New Red Sandstone, and a broad gauge size arch suggests that was where the track once ended. A Class 254 HST running southwards passes by. 8####BR01-SCS-BLDNG-VI__N
The Eric Curnow Collection 