Derby - Chesterfield - Sheffield - York and return via Doncaster

This was essentially a test and crew training run for the newly overhauled locomotive. Our first outing of the year, infact since the Canterbury trip in December 2014. A leisurely return trip to York, out via Sheffield and returning via Selby Canal Jct, Doncaster and Beighton. This allowing people a couple of hours to visit their favourite haunts in the city of York.

1015 performed faultlessly, this being it's first trip, since one engine had been removed to rectify an oil pressure issue. Following this test run, it has been confirmed that the pressure is now much higher than it had been in the past.

Paddington - Newbury - Exeter - Plymouth - Okehampton and return to Waterloo via Salisbury

This tour was always going to be special, with the planned non stop run from Paddington to Plymouth. After an ontime departure, we were slowed in the Southall area, however once past that, a clear run was had westwards, including passing Reading and Exeter at speed. On arrival at Plymouth, a quick refreshment stop was had by most, before we retraced our steps back to Exeter and onwards to Okehampton.

A break of a couple of hours allowed people time to visit the town, where kindly buses had been laid on, saving people the walk down into town and especially the walk back up to the station. Alternatively, it was possible to stay on the stock while 1015 run upto Meldon to enable a run round and back to Okehampton for fuel. Following this, we departed on time, for an enjoyable run back up the Southern region line into London Waterloo.

The DTG would like to record their thanks to Network Rail and Great Western Railway for the full part they played in providing a path for D1015's historic re-enactment of the 1966 non-stop run by D1010. D1015's performance, with almost twice the load, almost perfectly matched Western Campaigner's achievement and in fact shaved nearly two minutes of the 1966 time for the 225 mile journey. The remainder of the day could not have been better, the weather played it's part and further thanks are due to the hospitality of the Dartmoor Railway at Okehampton and South West Trains for the path back to Waterloo.

Tame Bridge - Birmingham New Street - Worcester - Bristol Temple Meads to Penzance and return

This our third tour of the year, was a to the ever popular destination of Penznace, this time starting in the West Midlands. Today Champion was running with D1071 WESTERN RENOWN plates on one side, as part of the DTG's name plate offer. On time or early running was the order of the day, as Champion performed superbly all day.

With stops at Par, Truro, St Erth and Penzance, a number of different options were avilable to passengers on the day, to enjoy their time in the Duchy of Cornwall. A few images of the day can be seen below.

Swindon - Kidderminster - Tame Bridge Parkway - Derby to Scarborough and return

This was our fourth tour of the year, was set to be an ever popular pre Christmas tour, this year going to the East Coast resort of Scarborough. On this day, we were running with the number / namplates of the long lost D1031 WESTERN RIFLEMAN on one side, as part of the DTG's name plate offer. A points failure at Kidderminster, was the cause of a 35 minute delay getting D1015 off the SVR and onto the front of the tour. Unfortunately we were unable to make this time up, and having lost our path over the single line near Beverley, this resulted in us being an hour late into Scarborough.

Unfortunately on the return run the loco suffered a major failure of B engine, which will now result in the loco being out of service for a number of months, while the problem is rectified. As a testament to the Western's design, we were able to get home on one engine, with the majority of customers unaware of the ongoing technical issue. A few images of the day can be seen below.