No ‘Torbay Expresses’ this year as operator shelves Devon summer specials
THE annual Bristol to Paignton ‘Torbay Express’ season will not operate this year after operator Torbay Express Ltd called time on the summer specials… for this year at least.
A statement on the company’s website said: “We regret to announce that due to the limited number of suitable steam locomotives available to haul trains in 2020 Torbay Express Ltd will not be able to run a full programme next summer.”
The ‘Torbays’ are reliant on locomotives equipped to haul air-braked stock, and the number available for main line use has dwindled in recent years.
Last year the service made heavy use of ‘A4’ No. 60009 Union of South Africa, but this is due to be withdrawn this year.
The lack of locomotives available last year also saw responsibility for running the trains switch from DB Cargo to West Coast Railways.
Instead of the ‘Torbays’, Torbay Express Ltd boss Barry Cordell is working with sister company Pathfinder Tours, on a small series of summer steam-hauled excursions to other destinations, primarily using ‘Merchant Navy’ No. 35028 Clan Line.
Details of where these destinations may be have yet to be announced, but it is expected they could include resorts in Pembrokeshire.
Saphos Trains, meanwhile, partially fills the void left by the absence of the ‘Torbay Express’ with its own ‘English Riviera Express’.
These will run on July 26, August 2 and August 9, and like the ‘Torbays’ will originate at Bristol Temple Meads to Paignton and Kingswear on the Dartmouth Steam Railway.