INTRODUCTION
Two railway models with common themes – each is set in South Devon in
the heyday of steam on the Great Western Railway. Both use N-gauge track
and share a collection of locomotives and rolling stock. Ashburton is a
small working diorama of a well-known branch line terminus while Totnes
is a larger continuous circuit.
Ashburton was first exhibited at Bletchley way back in 1997 and appeared in Model
Railway Journal issue 94 in the same year and more recently in the Railway
Modeller of January 2011 and British Railway Modelling of July 2012.
Ashburton's next outings will be at STEAM, Swindon, 7-8 September 2019.
Ashburton's next outings will be at STEAM, Swindon, 7-8 September 2019.
Totnes made its exhibition debut at Railwells in August 2008 and was
featured in the
January 2009 issue of British Railway Modelling magazine and issue No 205 of the Model Railway Journal. Outings included Doncaster in February 2010, when it received the British Railway Modelling "Layout of the Year" award, Aylesbury in May 2010, St Albans in January 2011, were it was awarded the Denis Moore cup for the best scenic layout and Uckfield in October 2012.
Totnes will next appear at RailWells, Wells, 10-11 August 2019.
January 2009 issue of British Railway Modelling magazine and issue No 205 of the Model Railway Journal. Outings included Doncaster in February 2010, when it received the British Railway Modelling "Layout of the Year" award, Aylesbury in May 2010, St Albans in January 2011, were it was awarded the Denis Moore cup for the best scenic layout and Uckfield in October 2012.
Totnes will next appear at RailWells, Wells, 10-11 August 2019.
Totnes - Dean goods 2568 approaches Dainton Tunnel with an up milk train
Lever's Seeds store in the goods yard with a milk train beyond
A livestock train waiting at the home signal
Signals remain absent – there are dozens within the Totnes station limits and I need to make most of them operating. That should keep me busy for a few months.
Unloading timber at the Town Quay Photo JBS
ASHBURTON
Yet another Ashburton layout! This one began life in
the late 1970s as the branch line appendix on a much larger fixed layout
comprising Totnes main line station and the Quay branch with the River
Dart and Dainton Bank. The whole formed an L-shape, about 4m x 4.5m,
occupying a large room in our flat in London. However, when we moved to
Somerset in 1987 the intended railway room - the loft - was only about
3.0m wide so something had to go. The appendix was removed.
There
it stayed, preserved in a plastic bag for six or seven years with the
vague idea that one day it may come in useful. Perhaps it would form the
basis of a small portable - even exhibitable - independent layout. And
thus it was reborn. Of course, little of the original baseboard remains
but at least the need to construct buildings and rolling stock was
minimised.
Lever's Seeds store in the goods yard with a milk train beyond
The
layout is set in the late 1920s and takes the form of a simple diorama.
From the familiar Ashburton track plan the single line runs across a
small stream and enters a (mythical) steep rock cutting, hiding a sector
plate which connects to storage roads and a run-round loop buried under
the rolling hills of south Devon.
The
buildings and scratch-built or modified locomotives are to 2mm/1ft
scale, running on N-gauge track. For normal operations, stock includes a
517 with a rake of four-wheeled coaches, a 14xx and autocoach, small
and large prairies, panniers and a saddle tank with passenger, cattle
and goods rakes. However, don’t be surprised to find the odd more exotic
visitor!
Ashburton station with the Railway Hotel and the gasworks beyond
'Pannier' 8731 waiting at the home signal
'Pannier' 8731 waiting at the home signal
An article about the layout appeared in the January 2011 edition of the Railway Modeller.
TOTNES change for the Ashburton Branch
Many years ago, while living in London, I began construction of a large
fixed N-gauge layout of Totnes station, the River Dart and estuary,
Dainton tunnel and the Ashburton branch. The whole thing was an L-shape,
about 4m by 4.5m and 1m deep. It was approaching completion when we
moved down to Somerset some twenty years ago. Despite its massive size,
it survived the move, minus the Ashburton terminus, which had to be
surgically removed to fit into the loft. A remodelled Ashburton now
forms the basis of a small independent layout that has been going the
exhibition rounds for the last ten years.
All photographs in this post © Tony Wright except where shown otherwise
A view of the River Dart and rail bridge with the station beyond.
The Ashburton Branch runs towards the foreground.
The Ashburton Branch runs towards the foreground.
A general view of
Totnes station from the south with the River Dart estuary beyond.
A 28xx class hauls a down coal train towards Plymouth.
A 28xx class hauls a down coal train towards Plymouth.
After desultory progress towards completing the Totnes layout, I came to
the conclusion that I wasn’t likely to generate enough enthusiasm to
finish the work. So, about five years ago, I decided to remake it,
concentrating on the station, town and river, on new baseboards. At
least the result would be transportable and the pressure of getting
things into a suitable state for exhibition would perhaps generate
sufficient incentive to complete the tasks. The result is a layout about
3m by 1.7m, with a simple double-track oval plan. It comprises six new
track boards and two scenic boards to fill-in the centre and a panoramic
back scene. Although I had to take some substantial liberties with
geography, I hope that the result retains the character of the locality.
Totnes Plains
The Dart estuary with the Quay branch
The Dart estuary with the Quay branch
Baseboard construction is of 4mm ply perimeter and cross beams,
reinforced with stripwood and thickened at the board joints. Board
junctions are located by loose-pin hinges and joined with M10 bolts with
wing nuts. The layout is supported on a fold-out box construction which
provides storage for many of the ancillary items – power supply, tools,
etc. Lighting is by a concentrated array of tungsten halogen lamps on a
high single pole. The track bed is 9mm MDF on a ply spine beam and the
track throughout is Peco code 55, carefully ballasted with fine sand.
Turnouts are again Peco, with Seep motors. Everything is controlled from
a plug-in panel with separate Gaugemaster controllers for the up and
down lines.
Dainton tunnel
County of Cornwall with a down stopping passenger train emerging from Dainton Tunnel.
County of Cornwall with a down stopping passenger train emerging from Dainton Tunnel.
The ground levels of the scenic areas are Sundeala insulation board, cut
and glued to form a three-dimensional monocoque, then coated with
filler and grassed with stuck-down lint fibres. The River Dart in the
foreground is of casting resin while, in the background, I’ve used
painted and varnished MDF.
An up express hauled by No 111 "The Great Bear" thunders through the station.
For me, the good news is that almost all the buildings and many civil
engineering structures, trees and details were salvaged from the earlier
layout. Generally, buildings are scratch-built and made of mounting
board with the late lamented BuilderPlus stone and brick papers. Trees
and foliage are largely Woodland Scenics and Heka on simple wire
armatures, with some proprietary specimen trees in the foreground. Block
planting in the background is formed with teased-out filter fabric on
wire mesh structures. The backscene panorama is of 2mm MDF, fretted to
shape, in front of a separate painted sky backdrop.
Totnes station
A 517 class 0-4-2 tank with a down train of four and six wheel coaches passes under the footbridge. The station pilot, a 45xx, waits on the goods shed road, ready to bank down goods over Rattery Bank. The original station had overall roofs over the up and down platform roads, probably demolished during the major remodelling works of 1932.
A 517 class 0-4-2 tank with a down train of four and six wheel coaches passes under the footbridge. The station pilot, a 45xx, waits on the goods shed road, ready to bank down goods over Rattery Bank. The original station had overall roofs over the up and down platform roads, probably demolished during the major remodelling works of 1932.
The rolling stock is also largely already available from the earlier
layouts. The stable of over 20 locomotives are mainly scratch-built or
heavily modified proprietary models. Coaching stock is a combination of
proprietary models and kits and wagons are proprietary, all weathered.
The operating programme is still in its infancy but is based on
prototypical movements of the 1920s and 1930s.
Steamer Quay
The river steamer Berry Castle with the Town Bridge beyond.
The river steamer Berry Castle with the Town Bridge beyond.
Signals remain absent – there are dozens within the Totnes station limits and I need to make most of them operating. That should keep me busy for a few months.
Castle House
Beyond Castle House and gardens, an up livestock train emerges from beneath the main road bridge, hauled by a saddle tank.
Beyond Castle House and gardens, an up livestock train emerges from beneath the main road bridge, hauled by a saddle tank.
St Peter’s Quay Pool
The River Dart and the mill tail race, separated by a small park – The Island – meet at St Peter’s Quay Pool.
LOCOMOTIVES
A selection of the locomotives running on Ashburton and Totnes
The
stable of locomotives were made over a period of more than 25 years,
several being modified during the course of their lives. Many are based
on proprietary mechanisms, others are entirely scratch-built. Most make
use of components and fittings from various sources, including the 2mm
Scale Association and commercial suppliers. Throughout, locomotives are
painted and weathered, number plates added and tenders or bunkers filled
with crushed coal. All are fitted with Kadee / Microtrain couplings.
The Great Western’s only 4-6-2 ‘Pacific’, for its time a huge locomotive. Built 1908 Withdrawn 1924
The
model is based on a Fleischmann powered tender drive, selected for the
correct wheelbase and wheel diameters; all the rest is scratch-built.
The un-powered engine chassis is of split-frame construction with wheels
from the late Mike Bryant range, on half-axles with insulating muffs –
the typical 2mm Scale Association method. Current collection is
transferred to the tender. The engine and tender superstructures are of
plastic card with metal details and fittings.
The most powerful 4-6-0 Built 1927 Withdrawn 1962
The
model started life as a Farish King – with fairly severe modifications.
The mechanism is adapted with a replacement worm and worm wheel giving a
38:1 reduction instead of the original 25:1. Cosmetic frames with
springing and brakes are bonded to the chassis block and a new keeper
plate is made from copper clad printed circuit board (PCB), with phosphor bronze wire
pickups. Driving wheels are salvaged from a Fleischmann mechanism and
are of scale diameter. with scratch-built rods and working outside valve
linkage. The bogie truck is scratch built, with the characteristic
outside bearings for the front axle. The motor pole pieces are thinned
down, and enclosed in a new narrower fire-box wrapper of nickel silver
shim, with the correct waisted shape. The engine superstructure is
modified to give clearance for the larger diameter wheels. New boiler
fittings and cab details are fitted and bright steel details are added.
The tender chassis has current collection linked back to the loco and
axle boxes, brake gear and other details added. The tender
superstructure is modified in detail with the coal space correctly
represented.
The first of the ‘Castles’. Built 1923 Withdrawn 1960
The
model started life as a Farish Castle – with fairly severe
modifications. The mechanism is adapted with a replacement worm and worm
wheel giving a 38:1 reduction instead of the original 25:1. Cosmetic
frames with springing and brakes are bonded to the chassis block and a
new keeper plate is made from copper clad PCB, with phosphor bronze
wire pickups. Driving wheels are from the Beaver range, of scale
diameter and at scale centres, with scratch-built rods and working
outside valve linkage. The bogie truck is scratch built. The motor pole
pieces are thinned down, permitting a completely new fire-box wrapper of
nickel silver shim, with the correct waisted shape. The engine
superstructure is modified to give clearance for the larger diameter
wheels and the skirt between boiler and footplate is drilled away. New
boiler fittings and cab details are fitted. The tender chassis has
current collection linked back to the loco, and axle boxes, brake gear
and other details added. The tender superstructure is cut down and
modified in detail to represent the earlier 3500 gallon type.
A later ’Castle’. Built 1925 Withdrawn 1961
This
model is a fairly simple modification of the old Peco Jubilee –
remarkably similar in key dimensions to the Castle. Well, Stanier was trained at Swindon! The model engine and
tender chassis and mechanism are largely unchanged with new cross-head
slides added. The engine superstructure has a slightly raised firebox
top and a new cab to conform to Swindon practice and has new fittings
and details added. The tender superstructure is of plastic card with a
very substantial coal load, necessary to cover the vertically-mounted
motor.
The Hall was the GWR all-purpose main line engine par excellence.
No 2937 “Clevedon Court” c.1930
A curved frame "Saint"
Built 1911 Withdrawn 1953
Built 1911 Withdrawn 1953
The
model is a first essay in 3-D printing. I drew out the basic design in 2-D CAD and my son then converted the superstructure and tender for printing by Shapeways. The chassis is a fairly conventional split-frame type with a Lawton motor in the tender, connected by a wire cardan shaft to the two-stage reduction gear (47:1) driving the centre axle. Driving wheels are from the late Mike Bryant range, similar to the 2mm Scale Association type but with N-gauge tyres. The bogie is from the N-Brass range and the rods are scratch-built. New boiler fittings, metal steps, handrails and other details are added. Current transfer between the engine and tender is
by phosphor-bronze springs, soldered to the tender and bearing on the
insides of the engine frames. The tender chassis again has MB wheels and metal steps and other details and a load of real coal.
Built 1929 Withdrawn 1963
This
model is proprietary, by Dapol, with a tender-mounted skew-wound motor
and a cardan shaft drive to the driving wheels. The tender is modified,
plastic coal removed and replaced with the real thing. Otherwise, the
main changes are new name and number plates, replacement tender
lettering and a partial repaint and weathering.
The Hall was the GWR all-purpose main line engine par excellence. Built 1929 Withdrawn 1963
The
model started life as a Farish Hall – again with severe modifications.
The mechanism is adapted with a replacement worm and worm wheel giving a
38:1 reduction instead of the original 25:1. Cosmetic frames with
springing and brakes are bonded to the chassis block and a new keeper
plate is made from copper clad PCB, with phosphor bronze wire
pickups. Driving wheels are from the Beaver range, of scale diameter
with scratch-built rods. The pony truck is a modified Peco Jubilee unit
and the cab is scratch built. The tender superstructure is an unmodified
4000 gallon type but with details added.
The Hall was the GWR all-purpose main line engine par excellence.
Built 1929 Withdrawn 1963
This
model is proprietary, by Dapol, with a tender-mounted skew-wound motor
and a cardan shaft drive to the driving wheels. The tender is modified,
plastic coal removed and replaced with the real thing. Otherwise, the
main changes are new name and number plates, tender lettering replaced
with the “shirt button” motif and a partial repaint and weathering.
A lightweight 4-6-0
No 6820 "Kingstone Grange" c.1937
A mixed traffic 4-6-0
Built 1937 Withdrawn 1865
This
model is proprietary, by Dapol, with a tender-mounted skew-wound
motor and a cardan shaft drive to the driving wheels. The tender is
modified, plastic coal removed and replaced with the real thing.
Otherwise, the main changes are more robust current connection between
loco and tender and a partial repaint and weathering.
Built 1938 Withdrawn 1965
This
model is proprietary, by Ixion/Dapol, with a tender-mounted skew-wound
motor and a cardan shaft drive to the driving wheels. The tender is
modified, plastic coal removed and replaced with the real thing.
Otherwise, the main changes are more robust current connection between
loco and tender and a partial repaint and weathering.
A pretty engine, though its short coupled wheelbase made it a rough ride. Built 1911 Withdrawn 1931
The
model is entirely scratch-built. Power is provided by a tender-mounted
Portescap 1219 motor with a small flywheel and a simple bent wire cardan
shaft to a worm gear in the engine firebox. This feeds a
double-reduction gear drive, giving a reduction of 37:1. Both engine and
tender have split frames with wheels from the late Mike Bryant range,
all wheels collecting current. Transfer between the engine and tender is
by phosphor-bronze springs, soldered to the tender and bearing on the
insides of the engine frames. The engine and tender superstructures are
of plastic card with metal details and fittings.
A vintage engine with beautiful proportions. Built 1903 Withdrawn 1948
The
model is entirely scratch-built. Power is provided by a tender-mounted
Portescap 1219 motor, with a small flywheel and a simple bent wire
cardan shaft to a worm gear in the engine firebox. This feeds a
double-reduction gear drive, giving a reduction of 37:1. Both engine and
tender have split frames with wheels from the late Mike Bryant range,
all wheels collecting current. Transfer between the engine and tender is
by phosphor-bronze springs, soldered to the tender and bearing on the
insides of the engine frames. To avoid excessive movement on curved
track, the rear axle of the bogie is in the main frames, with some
side-play, and the front axle is in a separate pony truck. In essence it
is built as a 2-6-0. The bogie outside frame is supported by a pivot on
the main chassis and a pin-in-slot on the pony truck. The engine and
tender superstructures, details and fittings are of sheet and turned
metal.
The big one – designed for use on fast fitted freight turns.
No 32xx Earl class 4-4-0 c.1935
An interesting rebuild of Bulldog frames with a smaller boiler
Built 1935 Withdrawn 1964
Built 1935 Withdrawn 1964
The
model is a first try with a Union Mills engine. The white metal superstructure was stripped of paint and the moulded handrails and some other details were filed off. Then it was modified to lower the footplate height and details were added - front coupling, handrails, smoke box dart, lamp irons brake rigging and a new rear coupling. Then all was repainted and weathered and a crew added. Number- and name-plates awaited.
Built 1923 Withdrawn 1964
The
model is entirely scratch-built. Power is provided by a tender-mounted
Portescap 1219 motor, with a flywheel and a simple bent wire cardan
shaft to a worm gear in the engine firebox. This feeds a
double-reduction gear drive, giving a reduction of 53:1. Both engine and
tender have split frames with wheels from the late Mike Bryant range,
all wheels collecting current. It is taken to both the third and fourth
axles, reducing the stress on connecting rods. As a conceit, there is
operating outside and inside valve gear, the latter almost totally
invisible under the massive boiler. The superstructure is of plastic
card, adhesion weight is not a problem with such a volume to fill up
with lead. Current collection from the tender chassis is transferred to
the engine by phosphor-bronze springs, soldered to the tender and
bearing on the insides of the engine frames.
The archetypal coal and mineral main-line engine Built 1918 Withdrawn 1963
This
model started life as a scratch-built superstructure on a cut-down
Minitrix 9F chassis (the fifth axle being removed), re-motored with a
small Minitrix motor in the boiler. Perhaps inevitably, the motor was
inadequate and eventually gave up the ghost. However it seemed a
possibility to use a Farish 8F chassis. The motor pole pieces are
thinned down to allow an improved fire-box shape and the chassis idler
gear is modified to give a two-stage reduction of about 42:1 - only
possible with the older brass gears. The tender is on a modified Farish
chassis with current collection, again with a 3500 gallon type
superstructure of plastic card and metal details and fittings.
No 2892 2-8-0 2884 class c.1939
A later version of the coal and mineral main-line engine Built 1938 Withdrawn 1963
This
model is proprietary, by Dapol, with a tender-mounted skew-wound
motor and a cardan shaft drive to the driving wheels. The tender is
modified, plastic coal removed and replaced with the real thing.
Otherwise, the main changes are a partial repaint and weathering.
Built 1932 Withdrawn 1963
The
chassis of the model started life as a Farish ‘large prairie’ tank
engine, married to a Farish tender. The mechanism is unchanged with a
reduction of 25:1 The engine is re-wheeled with Beaver wheels a new
keeper plate and a scratch-built pony truck. The tender is on a Farish
chassis, modified to a 3500 gallon type, with current collection.
Throughout, the superstructure is scratch-built in plastic card with
metal details and fittings. Currently awaiting refurbishment.
An antique engine, based on the earlier ‘Armstrong Goods’. Built 1898 Withdrawn 1953
The
model is entirely scratch-built. Power is provided by a tender-mounted
coreless 1018 motor with a small flywheel and a simple bent wire cardan
shaft to a worm gear in the engine firebox. This feeds a
double-reduction gear drive, giving a reduction of 50:1. Both engine and
tender have split frames with driving wheels purpose made by a member
of the 2mm Scale Association. The engine and tender superstructures,
details and fittings are of sheet and turned metal.
A 1930 replacement for the ‘Dean Goods’. Built 1930 Withdrawn 1959
The
model is proprietary, by Peco, with tender drive. Minor modifications
are made to improve current collection and increase tender adhesion
weight.
A local passenger and mixed traffic engine. Built 1931 Withdrawn 1960
The
model is based on the Farish large prairie, re-wheeled with Beaver
wheels. The mechanism is unchanged with a reduction of 25:1. New
scratch-built pony trucks are fitted. The superstructure is
scratch-built in plastic card with metal details and fittings.
The branch goods engine.
Built 1913 Withdrawn 1959
The
model is entirely scratch-built with a split-frame chassis. Power is
provided by a Mashima can motor with a small copper-tungsten flywheel in
the bunker. A two-stage gear train gives a 42:1 reduction. Wheels from
the late Mike Bryant range, all used for current collection including
the pony trucks. These use the pivot for one polarity and a fine
phosphor-bronze wire spring for the other.
The goods banking engine. Built 1913 Withdrawn 1959
The
model is proprietary, by Dapol, and has been modified by removing the
motor, current collection and weights to act as an unpowered “banker” at
the rear of goods trains.
The Totnes station pilot. Built 1927 Withdrawn 1957
The
model started life as a Fleischmann tank, with scratch-built
split-frame pony trucks and has a new superstructure in plastic card
with metal fittings and details
An antique tank engine – many were later converted to panniers.
Built 1878 Withdrawn 1937
Buried
under this model is a Farish ‘pannier’. The mechanism has a replacement
worm and worm wheel set, giving an improved reduction ratio of 21:1
instead of the original 16:1. A new keeper plate is made from copper
clad PCB, with phosphor bronze wire pickups. Brake gear, sand boxes and
guard irons are fitted. After separating the superstructure, all the
boiler fittings are filed off to leave a flat top. To this is araldited a
nice fat sheet of nickel silver, Then the whole lump is ground and
filed down to the correct profile, checked with a simple metal gauge
running on the footplate. The footplate itself is shortened slightly and
new smokebox and boiler fittings are added. A new old-style cab and
bunker is formed of sheet metal. Built 1931 Withdrawn 1962
This
model is in essentials a Farish ‘pannier’ with lots of minor
modifications. The mechanism has a replacement worm and worm wheel set,
giving an improved reduction ratio of 21:1 instead of the original 16:1.
A new keeper plate is made from copper clad PCB, with phosphor bronze
wire pickups. Brake gear, sand boxes and guard irons are fitted. The
solid skirt beneath the tanks is cut away and a new lower section of the
boiler covers the gear drive. A new brass safety valve bonnet brightens
things up and the chimney is raised to scale height by the simple
expedient of adding a suitable metal washer under the cap. Sanding gear
rodding, separate wire handrails and various bits of pipework are added.
Maid of all work. Built 1929 Withdrawn 1957
This
model stated life as a Farish 94XX ‘pannier’. The mechanism is largely
unchanged but with a shortened footplate and chassis, new keeper plate
and wipers and a new superstructure of plastic card with metal details
and fittings.
A diminutive tank engine. Built 1877 Withdrawn 1932
This
model was a first essay in scratch-building using metal – essential to
achieve a reasonable adhesion weight in such a small volume. The chassis
is of split frame construction with Mike Bryant wheels. Power is
provided by a Sagami motor in the cab and firebox with the worm in the
boiler and a copper-tungsten flywheel in the bunker. A two-stage gear
train gives a 65:1 reduction. To achieve the maximum weight, the boiler
and smokebox, the side tanks and even the tool boxes are also made of
copper-tungsten.
The branch line autocoach passenger train. Built 1935 Withdrawn 1964
The
model is a coupled engine and autocoach. The latter is the powered
component, based on a Fleischmann diesel railcar with a modified
chassis. The drive mechanism includes a small flywheel and a two stage
reduction gear with a lay shaft, giving an overall ratio of about 50:1 –
great for slow running. The coach superstructure is of plastic card.
The engine has a split frame chassis and Mike Bryant wheels and current
is transferred to the coach by permanent fine phosphor-bronze wires.
Engine superstructure is based on Langley etchings with turned metal
replacements for the white metal components.
Branch line autocoach passenger train. Built 1933 Withdrawn 1956
The model is proprietary, by Dapol, with just the basic modifications.
The “Flying Banana” Built 1940 Withdrawn 1960
The
model is basically the Farish unit with a fairly heavily modified drive
mechanism, with a small flywheel and using a double reduction drive to
achieve on overall ratio of about 50:1. It will crawl along, albeit
rather noisily!
No E 430 4-4-0 Southern
L12 class c.1930
Now for something
completely different *
Built 1905
Withdrawn 1951
The model started
life as a Farish Midland compound – with major modifications. The mechanism is
adapted with a replacement worm and worm wheel and a modified drive chain giving
a two-stage 56:1 reduction instead of the original 25:1. Cosmetic frames with
springing and brakes are bonded to the chassis block and a new keeper plate is
made from copper clad fibreglass, with phosphor bronze wire pickups. Beaver driving wheels are of scale diameter.
with scratch-built rods. The bogie truck is scratch built, with new near-scale
wheels. The motor pole pieces are thinned down and rounded to fit in a new
firebox/boiler/smokebox of brass tube. This sits on a new footplate, splashers
and cab assembly of brass. New boiler fittings of polished metal details are
added. The tender chassis has current collection linked back to the loco and
axle boxes, brake gear and other details added. The tender superstructure is scratch-built
in brass and is pivoted on the chassis to bear on the rear of the locomotive to
improve adhesion.
* On a regular basis, a Southern locomotive was
diagrammed to head a GWR train on the Plymouth – Totnes – Exeter route to gain
route familiarisation. The converse was done on the Plymouth – Okehampton –
Exeter route.