No. 46233 'Duchess of Sutherland'. Rugby to Bristol. 3rd Sept.,2015

At last!! A welcome to LMS Coronation Class 8P 4-6-2 No. 46233 'Duchess of Sutherland' returning to the Bath and Bristol area on Thursday, 3rd September, 2015.

From Rugby-Willesden-Reading-Newbury-Bath-Bristol. Returning via Bath and Swindon.

http://www.uksteam.info/tours/t15/t0903a.htm
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U ... 3/advanced
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U ... 3/advanced

Timings thanks to uksteam and RTT. <BJ>

 

Also, note LE Move Rugby/Hanwell:

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50532/2015/09/03/advanced

so looks like no assistance planned for this one.

 

Well we expect an 8P to blitz this route don't we?

 

We do: there's plenty of power, and no climbs worse than Box Tunnel on the way back.

 

There's a rumour that there's a gauging issue for the Duchess on God's Wonderful Railway. Anyone in the know?

 

*Speculation alert!*

Given the GWML only reopened yesterday after the electrification work, the Duchess might have fitted prior to the work taking place. With the amount of work that has been completed, NR might have their concerns that the work has moved the track and 46233 may not longer fit?

James

 

Just spoken to SD and been told this is a mostly diesel hauled trip. Rugby to London?

 

There is a now a 23 min stop at Willesden so maybe steam coming on there? Also can't see any LE moves in RTT now,so box on back all day?

 

From UK Steam.
"[May now be diesel hauled between Hanwell and Bristol due to gauging issues]"

 

Why do they only realise, the day before, that locos may be out of gauge?

 

Says here,
http://www.uksteam.info/tours/trs15.htm#twk

Also depends which part of the FGW route is affected, Saturday's train takes a different route after Swindon (via Gloucester).
It could even be the Berks & Hants which is tomorrows outward route.

 

Not the first time this has happened recently is it!

 

Too small? Not enough shiny copper bits protruding above the boiler etc.

 

I'm puzzled. Where and what is this "Saturday's train"? please. If your on about "The Cathedrals Express" that runs on September 10th 2015 from London Victoria to Cardiff. The 10th is a Thursday on my Calendar.

 

Might as well Leave the bloody thing behind then. What a cock up. What part of NR does not get the idea that work is completed to SPEC. How did "maybe" or "we don't know" ever become acceptable?

 

Dundas Viaduct probably as not been gauge checked since the relaying work was done.

 

If its just been relaid, it should have been relaid to gauge.

 

FFS - how much longer do tour companies have to suffer this farce of finding out the day before a railtour that their intended traction does not fit ?

A few thoughts on this particular cock up (assuming it's not a false alarm)
1) If the problem is Dundas not having been gauge checked - why is ANYTHING being allowed to pass under it until it is ?
2) The whole point of the works around Bath was to INCREASE clearances for the overhead knitting (or in Dundas's case, for more clearance for diverted container traffic) - what has made the clearance for the Duchess DECREASE ?
3) If the problem is elsewhere on the Berks and Hants, this tour has been scheduled for how long ? Why wasn't the problem flagged up weeks ago ?

NR really, urgently need a joined up system that records the available clearance envelope for ALL routes that is routinely and preferably automatically updated to take account of any engineering work. Any contracted work should stipulate the minimum clearances to be maintained so that any mainline certified stock can use it (with due regard for the classification of the route and any legacy restrictions - eg stuff like the old Hastings loading gauge tunnels)