Ex-Great Western Railway Collett 'Castle' class 4-6-0 No. 5078 'Beaufort'. Built at Swindon in May 1939 as 'Lamphey Castle', re-named 'Beaufort' in January 1941 and withdrawn in November 1962.
The pedestrian walkway is almost deserted at Dawlish as 'Beaufort' sweeps past on what is obviously a dreary day in July 1957. 'Beaufort' was one of twelve 'Castles' to be re-named after WW2 aircraft types in 1941. A naming idea that pre-dated the Southern Railway's 'Battle of Britain' class by four years!
Peter Kerslake adds "The Newton Abbot Castle is on a " West to North" express. In the background located just before the break in the pedestrian pathway is Rockstone footbridge, known as "Black Bridge" in past days. Dating from 1870 the bridge was built to permit walkers to safely cross the line and head for Dawlish and avoid walking along the beach especially at high tide! The gap in the pathway was due to the owners of "Sea Lawn House" in the 1880s objecting to the path running in front of their property and the bridge was a compromise."
© Ken Widd-SA Collection