Storm Babet battered many parts of the country in mid-October, but worryingly trains travelling along the newly-reinforced sea wall at Dawlish on October 17/18 were affected by waves crashing over the top. Several GWR-operated IET sets failed after encountering waves – including No. 802114, which lost power at Teignmouth on the evening of October 17 while working the 1C92/18.03 Paddington-Penzance. It limped to Newton Abbot on one engine where the service terminated. The set was rescued on October 19 by No. 800007, the 14-car formation seen climbing to Whiteball Tunnel as the 5Z74/15.16 Newton Abbot to Stoke Gifford (Bristol).
RUSSELL AYRE