No. 7820 (running as 1225) is seen on Stretchford straight, South Devon Railway, on November 22, with the return from the 14.00 Buckfastleigh to Woodville Polar Express dress rehearsal. The BR logo on the tender was covered up in time for the official start of the 2023 services two days later. Bulleid No. 1456 is immediately behind the loco.
DAVID HUNT
ADDITIONAL resources were drafted in by the South Devon Railway to operate the Polar Express trains during the 2023 Festive period.
As in previous years, No. 7820 Dinmore Manor was hired from the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway, while SDR resident GWR 2-6-2T No. 5526 headed to Toddington (see separate story on page 58).
In the spirit of the Polar Express film, No. 7820 was ‘Americanised’ with the addition of a cow catcher, a light and a bell on the front – and the number 1225 on the left-hand side of the cab, the side visible when in Buckfastleigh station. The nameplate on the same side was encased in a wooden housing and the WR type whistle was changed to an American-sounding type.
Among the carriages hired in was Mid-Hants Railwaybased 1947 built Bulleid Open Third No. 1456. The trains were top-and-tailed with SDR resident Class 33 No. 33002 (D6501) Sea King in its standard livery.