HST West and HST Far West

Drivers Eye View

Exeter to Plymouth (and Saltash) - The Devon mainline is best known for its coastal scenery and its gradients. A five minute dash from Exeter finds us on the famous sea wall at Dawlish, from there we continue along the coast to Teignmouth and then head inland to Newton Abbot. After climbing Dainton Bank we drift down to Totnes where we take a look at the Dart Valley Steam Railway. Rattery Bank follows as we head out over the edge of Dartmoor, through South Brent and scenic Ivybridge. Plymton, Laira depot and Plymouth soon follow. The grand finale is the run to the awe-inspiring Royal Albert Bridge at Saltash - Brunel’s greatest masterpiece - and we see it all from the cab! Both GWR semaphores and multiple-aspect colour light signals feature. Soon after filming all the semaphores were removed! In addition we also look at the atmospheric pump houses at Starcross. Filmed 1986.

Saltash to Penzance - HST Far West begins where “HST West” finishes - with a Driver’s Eye View of Brunel’s magnificent Royal Albert Bridge spanning the River Tamar between Devon & Cornwall. The 75 miles that follow rate amongst the most hilly and curvaceous of any mainline. It has 34 viaducts - more per mile than any other in Britain. Features include DOBWALLS theme park where miniature USA - style steam and diesel locomotives haul visitors over accurately recreated gradients depicting two great American Railroads. The BODMIN STEAM RAILWAY gives us a chance to sample the reinstated passenger service from Bodmin Parkway to the old Bodmin General station aboard an 0-6-0 tank engine. Filmed 1990.