Most of the Southern’s train journeys to the West commenced at Waterloo where we see a Merchant Navy pacific backing on to its train before departing. Double headed MNs depart from Weymouth followed by a Standard Class 5 at Wareham. There is Bulleid action at Seaton Jct and Barnstaple plus an N Class 2-6-0 at Okehampton.

At Bournemouth Central we see S&DJR 2-8-0s, Bulleid pacifics, Standard Class 5s and Ivatt class 2 tanks. Adding to this variety blue A4 “Sir Nigel Gresley” is on a rail tour racing through the New Forest. Scenes at Brockenhurst feature both Standard tender and tank engines. A Channel Island Bulleid hauled boat train hurries through Beaulieu Road. More Bulleid Pacifics are seen at Southampton Central and Eastleigh with one rushing through Shawford in wintery conditions. Some excellent shots of Bulleids and Standard class 4 4-6-0s at Battledown Flyover are followed by footage at Basingstoke with Bulleids roaring through and departing.

Along the Salisbury line we stop at Andover for some nice Bulleid action, as well as an S15 and a Standard class 5 plus a GWR Manor, Hall and an S&D 2-8-0 on enthusiasts specials. At Salisbury we are just in time to see the crack Atlantic Coast Express arrive. More Bulleid pacifics along with an N Class mogul. A USA tank has the melancholy task of shunting lines of withdrawn engines. Passing Salisbury shed, and Templecombe we reach Yeovil Junction to see a Maunsell King Arthur, an M7 on a push-pull and a Merchant Navy.

Next a trip to Yeovil Town on a Western auto train before returning to the Junction for more Bulleid action. After passing through Crewkerne and Chard, where a pair of S15s are seen, we arrive at Axminster. We travel the Lyme Regis branch, first behind the legendary 0415 tanks and then by two Ivatt class 2 tanks on the LCGB East Devon Railtour. Next to Seaton Junction for a trip to Seaton behind an M7 tank before returning to the Junction to see S15′s, Pacifics and a 64XX pannier . Onwards to Sidmouth for M7, Standard Class 3 and an Ivatt class 2 plus Pannier hauled special train to Exmouth. We travel past Exmouth Junction Shed where an A4 is being serviced and arrive at Exeter Central for the ACE. A W tank is seen amongst the usual motive power.

Finally we traverse the steep gradient down towards Exeter St Davids to see two West Countries departing, then to Cowley Bridge for the Southern’s Withered Arm with some nice shots of N class 2-6-0s at Eggesford, Halwill Jct. and Braunton plus an Ivatt tank at Instow.

All the archive film is in colour apart from a few sequences in black & white.. An authentic soundtrack has been added along with a researched commentary.

Exeter

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B & R No. 188 DVD Along Southern Lines Part 8, South West to Exeter & Beyond

B & R No. 88 DVD Southern Recollections

Branch Line to Moretonhampstead – Including Heathfield to Exeter by Vic Mitchell & Keith Smith

Lines from Waterloo

The Broad Gauge Railway at Watchet by Chris Saunders