Dawlish is probably the most famous scenic spot for photographing trains in Britain. Situated in Glorious Devon, the line runs along the famous sea wall beside the English Channel enabling you to see the train coming from some way off, before coming to the station and town itself. 
It then passes a mumber of hotels before entering a short tunnel continuing westward. In early July 2002 'Jampics' decided we had to visit this famous spot before Virgin Cross Country replaced 47 8s with Voyagers. The weather was good and most importantly so were the locos that turned up. 
In this picture a Virgin 47 is approaching Dawlish on a train bound for the seaside resort of Paington. The date is July 4th 2002.
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Photo from James & Martin's Picture Collection Copyright 'Jampics' m.hawkes7@ntlworld.com