Very nice photo Michael well done good camera work as well. Nice to see 257 out and about

Isn’t there supposed to be a tender swap done with the loco as it’s 5,500 gallon tender is getting swapped with 34007’s tender as Wadebridge is going on the mainline and SLL don’t intend to run 34070 or 34072 on the mainline. Not down to 34028 and then 34010 going on the mainline aswell as if it does happen 34053 and 34058 but Trackside say they ruled Manston and Eddystone out for mechanical reasons.

I could step out of tender, one foot on sloping sides (Not when wet)! and swing into cab while gripping my shovel! I would never go down the tender ladder in front of trains 1st moving coach! When we run through with the lighter non converted’s for their north Devon runs then they were watered and a bit of coal pulled forward for their run through Exeter in very quick time! It was a short stop on the ACE! If Merchant navy come in (usual) they would be swopped with the lighter Bulleid! One of my old yarns spoke of me swinging inboard to startle driver! Who shouted ”Any more up there”! Lol! Coal is awful to shovel! I didn’t know Sidmouth might go main line? A triangle engine? EG= Ottery St M, Sidmouth, Exeter, Budleigh Salterton! (Budleigh / Salt’ ended up on my old Bristol Barrow road shed in 1965)? I would take many to scrap! All through 1965! Owsden n Witherslack were very late! Barrow Rd from the Marsh engines? We would leave those ones at Severn tunnel junction? cheers David.