GWR Modified Hall 4-6-0 No 6973 Bricklehampton Hall with a diverted Paddington-Penzance train (1C25) after taking water at Exeter Central on 26 August 1961.

Peter Kerslake says "There's plenty of problems here at the Southern Region's Exeter Central on this August day in 1961 but sadly we do not know why Old Oak's 6973 has come down, presumably from Paddington, and been diverted on to the Southern line probably from Reading with a Penzance bound express, an Inspector in deep conversation with the driver and plenty of onlookers on the platform, the engine looking to need water judging by where it has come to a halt.
If this service is now going to drop down to Exeter St. David's 6973 will be facing the wrong way at the wrong end of its train for the run down on the Western Region through Plymouth into Cornwall and it would not be able to take the Southern route via Okehampton as nothing heavier than a 2-6-0 was permitted to cross Meldon viaduct.
Sadly, more unanswered questions than solutions but perhaps some stalwart holds the answers!"


Photo: M.J. Fox / Rail Archive Stephenson