If you register, you can do a lot more. And become an active part of our growing community. You'll have access to hidden forums, and enjoy the ability of replying and starting conversations.

D1015 Western Challenger Sat 7 May 2016

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by Sean Emmett, May 6, 2016.

  1. Sean Emmett

    Sean Emmett Member

    Joined:
    Sep 7, 2014
    Messages:
    578
    Likes Received:
    489
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Bristol
    If this is the wrong place moderators please move!

    I'm booked on this, my first trip behind a 'Western' - and apart from a couple of Hastings Diesels and a Peak supporting Nunney Castle (mercifully not at the same time!) this is my first out and out heritage diesel tour.

    Paddington - Plymouth non-stop, then to Okehampton for a break before returning to Waterloo via Honiton and Basingstoke. Time per RTT
    http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U10522/2016/05/07/advanced
    http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U10523/2016/05/07/advanced

    There is a LE from P1 at PAD to Wembley after the tour leaves and another arriving at WAT P19 after the special is due in. If the latter can be done for a diesel special, why is it so difficult to organise for steam?

    Will provide the occasional update re progress etc

    Sean
     
  2. 99Z

    99Z Guest

    This is a diesel, going at 100mph nonstop to the west and considerably stronger and more agile.

    It's not a 75mph bag of puff that needs a pale of water every town, a push up every hill and throws a sulk every few weeks.

    if the diesel was to need a spanner, then there are other reliable diesels that can blow air to the brakes and pull it out of the way.

    I'm coming to the conclusion, that in the south at least, the answer to mainline steams problems is a diesel, and if they were of the museum variety rather than the carnforth variety, they could be a popular solution to getting to mainline steam outside the big smoke of London, home again at night and a more popular solution to hang on the back incase of trouble.

    I for one wouldn't mind sharing the company of a pair of rats for a few hours to go to some place safe, reliable and predictable for mainline steam... Though only if the passengers aren't forced to wear a muzzle, seat belt, ear protectors and a blind fold "for their safety".
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 6, 2016
  3. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

    Joined:
    May 30, 2009
    Messages:
    21,067
    Likes Received:
    20,775
    Location:
    1016
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    If this is a DBC operation then the LE move out of PAD and into WAT would have happened just like that with steam.
     
    greenslade likes this.
  4. thickmike

    thickmike Member

    Joined:
    May 16, 2006
    Messages:
    226
    Likes Received:
    198
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Happily Retired
    Location:
    Northants (near the GC bit)
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Is there a diesel on the back of this tour?
     
    46223 and Spamcan81 like this.
  5. free2grice

    free2grice Part of the furniture Friend

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2005
    Messages:
    5,283
    Likes Received:
    2,650
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired Rolls-Royce engineer
    Location:
    Bath Green Park / Mangotsfield
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
  6. 99Z

    99Z Guest

    D1058 Western Nobleman, with a rake of appropriate stock hammers through Iver... image.jpeg image.jpeg image.jpeg
    image.jpeg

    11 coaches at the back and Maybach engines at the front, this engine left the box way way behind.

    if this is a bellwether for mainline steam from London I am sure it would be well accepted...
    Imagine if the Torbays from Bristol started with a Western from London ?
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 7, 2016
  7. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2005
    Messages:
    35,446
    Likes Received:
    9,144
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired-ish, Part time rail tour steward.
    Location:
    Northwich
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    You mean like the CMEs with the 86 from Euston....We know it works.
     
  8. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

    Joined:
    May 30, 2009
    Messages:
    21,067
    Likes Received:
    20,775
    Location:
    1016
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Indeed it does. Get the charters away quickly from the problem areas - London is a problem area! - to where steam can come on. It's one way of doing it.
     
  9. 99Z

    99Z Guest

    Not everyone wants to go to the grim North and, if you examine the picture, whilst the masts are up, the wires aren't yet there, so an 86 to the west isn't possible currently.

    The 86 to the North is ok, a little on the quiet side, but those wanting to see the green sunny south need something a little more diesely...

    It'd be so much nicer to see some preserved diesels on the mainline, tbh if WCRC painted some of its 47s in two tone green would be great.. Look how well 47580 is appreciated..yet it's just a 47 with a paint job is it not.

    But the likes of rats, mcrats, whistlers, warships, westerns, peaks, wouldn't that be nice...

    But for now there's a plethora of 100mph class 50s registered or not too far impossible to be registered for mainline...
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 7, 2016
  10. Sean Emmett

    Sean Emmett Member

    Joined:
    Sep 7, 2014
    Messages:
    578
    Likes Received:
    489
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Bristol
    PAD to PLY 3 hrs 17 min 47 sec, arrived 18 early, but alas 2 min stop at Mutley Tnl prevented non-stop run. Earlier nearly brought to stand by Heathrow Connect stopper.

    Up to 90 mph max in many places.

    Load 11 with no tail end assistance.

    58 mph min on Whiteball after 88 thro Taunton and 78 at Wellington. Min 31 on Dainton on wet rails and 30 before Tigley after 61 thro Totnes.
     
    99Z likes this.
  11. Hemerdon

    Hemerdon Member Friend

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2006
    Messages:
    759
    Likes Received:
    688
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Hemerdon Bank, Plymouth
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    88 through Taunton, would have liked to have seen that. Still, looking forward to the sound of The Western on Hemerdon in 45 minutes.
     
  12. 99Z

    99Z Guest

    20 mins early at Plymouth...

    That's how it's done.

    Time for photographs and even a bag of chips before heading back.
     
  13. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2005
    Messages:
    35,446
    Likes Received:
    9,144
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired-ish, Part time rail tour steward.
    Location:
    Northwich
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Well you certainly know how not to keep people on your side...
    I am aware that there are no wires up on the GW yet thank you, and was only quoting the 86 as an example used elsewhere.
     
    steamvideosnet likes this.
  14. 99Z

    99Z Guest

    Northerners are so touchy. :)

    I would expect someday an 86 to slide into Reading station under its own power.. Strange day that will be.
     
  15. Hemerdon

    Hemerdon Member Friend

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2006
    Messages:
    759
    Likes Received:
    688
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Hemerdon Bank, Plymouth
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Here’s my video, just one clip taken at the bottom of Hemerdon.
     
  16. Sean Emmett

    Sean Emmett Member

    Joined:
    Sep 7, 2014
    Messages:
    578
    Likes Received:
    489
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Bristol
    PLY to EXD 66m 09s.Down to 19 mph on Hemerdon and 22 on Dainton.

    Max 54 after Coleford Jn. Now at Meldon.
     
  17. daveannjon

    daveannjon Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2006
    Messages:
    1,059
    Likes Received:
    372
    Location:
    Waiting for the Right Away
    Well WCR were going to paint a 47 green but DS got all upset because news of it leaked out, as recorded elsewhere, but then he is a northener of course...

    Dave
     
  18. AnthonyTrains2017

    AnthonyTrains2017 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2014
    Messages:
    2,237
    Likes Received:
    918
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Shame people felt the need to push their infront of someone who had been standing at the end of plt3 for 30mins waiting for D1015 to arrive and leave.
     
  19. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2005
    Messages:
    35,446
    Likes Received:
    9,144
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired-ish, Part time rail tour steward.
    Location:
    Northwich
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Always happens, they arrive a few minutes before it's due, are completely oblivious of the groups of photographers already there. It's the me, me, attitude, unfortunately any regular photter knows all about it...
     
  20. mrKnowwun

    mrKnowwun Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2011
    Messages:
    4,333
    Likes Received:
    2,758
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    West Byfleet
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer

Share This Page