A Day on the Clay
The Golden Ochre Years
A Double-Feature DVD
featuring two programmes on D1015 Western Champion
A
DAY ON THE CLAY
 When D1015 Western Champion spent a day
working china clay trips off St Blazey depot in Cornwall on August 30th
2002, it became the first diesel-hydraulic to haul a revenue-earning
freight train for more than 25 years. Combining exclusive footage from the
footplate and a series of superb lineside sequences, this programme is a
detailed record of the day when D1015 re-wrote the history books. The days
activities begin at St Blazey, from where the ‘Thousand’ sets off
light engine to Fowey Docks to collect a rake of china clay wagons. With
D1015 Wired for Sound to capture the distinctive Maybach music, the loco
departs with the 6G11 to Goonbarrow. The view from the cab features the
scenic run along the Fowey estuary, the climb to Treverrin Tunnel, the
spectacular climb through the Luxulyan Valley and the arrival at
Goonbarrow sidings. Lineside views then capture the sight and sound of Champion as it works the 6G10 china clay back to Fowey Docks. Packed
with Cornish nostalgia, this is a fascinating record of the day that time
stood still.
THE
GOLDEN OCHRE YEARS
D1015 became the first diesel hydraulic
locomotive to return to the main line since the demise of the Class 52
‘Westerns’ in 1977. This 45-minute programme features the best of Western
Champion’s main line workings in its unique golden ochre livery
which began on January 28th 2002 with a test run from
Kidderminster to Sheffield. Over the following four years D1015 appeared
on 22 railtours and special charters, most of which are featured here. As
well as re-visiting classic ‘Thousand’ haunts, the loco is also seen
off the beaten track at locations such as the S&C, Hest Bank, Euston,
York and Abergele. Other scenes feature D1015 blasting its way up the
Luxulyan Valley en route to Newquay, double-heading with steam and on
freight and mail trains. Also featured is Champion’s
infamous passenger rescue in October 2002 when it assisted a failed First
Great Western HST into Swindon!
"marvelous cab-ride sequences...a 'must have' for any Western enthusiast worth his
salt" TRACTION MAGAZINE
"Absolutely top notch sound...one of the most memorable videos of
2002"
RAIL EXPRESS
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