The incredible sight of a pair of Class 40s working a passenger train on the main line and, not only that, on the sea wall in Devon – never a natural home for the EE Type 4s! The ‘Devonian Double’ on October 30 was organised by Intercity, part of the Crewe-based LSL empire, and featured Nos. D213 (40013) Andania and D345 (40145) from Preston to Plymouth via Shrewsbury and the Severn Tunnel – but here they are seen bursting out of Parsons Tunnel and heading towards Teignmouth.
No. 47828 was at the rear to provide electric supply to the rake of Mk.3 coaches. This was the first pair of ‘40s’ to work a main line passenger train since the fleet was withdrawn by British Rail in the mid-1980s, and they were out again together on November 13 working the CFPS/LSL ‘Double Scotch’ from Crewe to Edinburgh via the West Coast Main Line. RUSSELL AYRE