free2grice's Recent Activity

free2grice replied to the thread Saphos 2024.

Latest information from Saphos: West Country class 34046 'Braunton' Timings for the 'Settle & Carlisle Fellsman' (Saphos Trains) 1st of May 2024 Blackpool North to Carlisle and Carlisle to Blackpool North The...

free2grice liked Chris_Sav's post in the thread 35028 Clan Line returns: 27/04/24.

My experience yesterday echoes much of what Big Al has said. If Belmond and the MNLPS can do it, why can’t others? As the Belmond rep, whom I collared, said – Some companies sell train journeys, we do it properly and sell an experience! The...

free2grice liked Johnb's post in the thread 35028 Clan Line returns: 27/04/24.

Mine from a very memorable day yesterday. Taken at Sheerwater Bridge between West byfleet and Woking, Bapton between Warminster and Westbury where I made a mistake about the direction of the exhaust. On the way back at Upton Scudamore and leaving...

free2grice replied to the thread 35028 Clan Line returns: 27/04/24.

How good it was to see and hear a train yesterday working without a diesel. Thank you Clan Line / Belmond in proving the point that with the help of a generator coach, a diesel is not a necessity in the consist when a train terminates at Bristol....

free2grice liked gricerdon's post in the thread Mid Hants Spring Steam Gala: 26th-28th April 2024.

Great day today and no rain by the time we left at 1530. Good time keeping and 29 even put in an appearance on the 1535 ex Alresford though with D8188 on the back as insurance as far as Ropley though it sounded nice when worked hard. 45690 and...

free2grice replied to the thread 35028 Clan Line returns: 27/04/24.

It's so good to see Clan Line back in action. Well done to to the small team of dedicated volunteers who have achieved so much. Oh, and I also like the '50' on the reporting disc. [BJ]

free2grice liked Daddsie71b's post in the thread [Jun 7, 2024] Strictly Bulleid 2 7th-9th of June at Swanage Railway (Swanage Railway).

Tom, I've never met you, do not know your circumstances, but mate, FFS, you are the ultimate keyboard warrior. Unless you work for a mainline railway company, Network rail or volunteer for a heritage railway you should really take a breath...

free2grice replied to the thread Mid Hants Railway Operational Matters.

Good news from the Mid-Hants Railway: ''We are delighted to announce the safe arrival of Merchant Navy Class No.35005 Canadian Pacific chassis to The Watercress Line, with huge thanks to Network Rail, Arlington Fleet Services and Allely’s...

free2grice replied to the thread Mid Hants Railway Operational Matters.

Some good news. Photographs are now appearing on Facebook of the frames, including the wheels and cab, of Canadian Pacific being transported (today) from Eastleigh to the Mid-Hants Railway courtesy of Allelys. <BJ>

free2grice replied to the thread The 'Royal Duchy' 2024.

2014, the year of the Black '5'. [BJ]

free2grice posted a new thread.

The 'Royal Duchy' 2024

Timings are now available for the first Royal Duchy of 2024 on 5th May. Note that there are no timings this year for a light engine diesel to shadow the tour. 5Z32 0750 St Philips Marsh H S T D to Bristol Kingsland Road Fhh...

Forum: What's Going On

free2grice liked Deepgreen's post in the thread Steam Dreams 2024.

Completely agree - some are excellent, but that doesn't make it OK where non-co-operation occurs. It shouldn't be a lottery - if a passenger train of any TOC is scheduled at a station there should be equally good information for all.

free2grice replied to the thread Swanage Railway General Discussion.

Well, for a railway that's not keen on Bulleids, they certainly use Eddystone a lot. <BJ>

free2grice replied to the thread [Jun 7, 2024] Strictly Bulleid 2 7th-9th of June at Swanage Railway (Swanage Railway).

''Update - Sir Keith Park - progress continues at pace - all cladding sheets and bands now fitted - final gloss painting will begin this week - cab fittings virtually complete - smokebox is in the process of being fitted out - chimney fitted -...