Cotswold Explorer 3/10

On its own? Or assisting on the rear?

 

On its own & about 7 coaches from what I saw.

 

Friend of mine who was waiting at Moor Street was told by the driver there were (yet again...) gauging issues...!!!!!!!!

Was on the bus to oxford when we got the call, now sat in MK McDonalds. What a farce...!!!

 

That explains the lack of information. **** we're on the M5 on our way to Worcester. They must have known about that before yesterday.

 

Oh dear, real shame for the passengers and I'm sure all at Tyseley will be gutted as well. I know Rood has been to Oxford back in February this year for the valentines trip, but that wasn't via Swindon so at wild stab I would guess that is where it's fallen foul.

 

My God. How prophetic was that posting which I suspect was said tongue in cheek but which seems to have turned into reality. And no responses from Ben at VT plus a photo of 4965 "getting ready" outside Tyseley? This really is a mystery and bad news especially for those booked on the tour.

 

There is another private charter booked to run tomro from Tyseley, time on RTT/UK steam so maybe for that instead.

 

For goodness sake, why not run it via Worcester down to Oxford direct and turn the loco at Didcot? Or are such late changes not allowed by NR?

 

I would have thought they were allowed !! After all, late changes and customer dissatisfaction are part of NR's mission statement.

 

Not gauging issue. Been told on Worcester Station by reliable source that 4965 was failed last night.

 

The photograph of 4965 at Tyseley clearly states "tomorrow's run to Oxford".

 

so does this mean its cancelled or now diesel pulled was going out to see it

 

Maybe that was before the problem? That picture was taken early morning, before the FTR. If the failure happened late in the day, the VT crew might have been rather too busy to update their social media feed.

AFAIK, it's running, diesel-hauled.

 

Just seen at Swindon - green Cl47 plus 7 coaches.

 

The FTR was carried out quite late - 2130 was mentioned. The stewards didn't know until they turned up at Tyseley this morning. Unfortunately there was no alternative steam loco available and it was obviously far too late to inform passengers. The train was virtually full as we watched it leave Worcester. Passengers joining were disappointed not to have steam but it was a destination train as well so hopefully they'll get longer in Oxford and still get back earlier.

 

4965 has not gone out today due to a technical issue. It is nothing to do with Gauging. The problem was not discovered until
yesterday evening, by which time it was too late to make any alternative arrangements than to run with 47773. 5043 is still under maintenance from the Carlisle job, and in any case, there would not have been time to substitute.
Please understand that the Tyseley staff are absolutely gutted by this failure, but last night were far too involved in making todays trip work than posting on this site. I am sure Ben will comment when he gets his breath back.

 

The Cotswold Explorer at Compton Beauchamp east of Swindon. 03 10 2015

https://www.flickr.com/photos/25640353@N05/21724761109/in/dateposted-public/

 

Gutted for the Tyseley gang, and those on the train. Thanks to The Man for the sitrep.

 

Ditto - at Compton Beachamp

Steam Substitution (Again) by Stephen Dance, on Flickr

 

Emerging from the gloom at Culham.
Not my day! Originally planned to go to Copy Pit but that never happened and West Brom lost 2 - 0 at Crystal Palace.