Peter Kesrlake says "18100 is working to Plymouth from Paddington and its first coach indicates this is a scheduled working rather than one of the Swindon to Plymouth test trains which used old and outdated stock and which were begun in early March 1952. 18100 worked between Paddington and Plymouth from 5th August 1952 unill 17th March 1953 so I suggest that this view is from within those dates. 18100 was regularly booked to work the 11.00 a.m. from Paddington, returning the same day on the 7.04 p.m. from Plymouth.
Cowley Bridge Junction, just east of Exeter with its fine timbered hotel in the backgrond, was where the Southern line to Okehampton and the North Cornish coast left the Western Region main line, running over the river Exe, the area being a regular site of flooding in wintertime. The photographer has swung his camera rather too far to his right , something which I often did, but it's a fine shot nevertheless!"