Cotswold Venturer, 30th July 2016

The RTC web-site suggests 46233 is rostered for this trip. That's a turn up for the books! I wonder whether NR have checked the gauge yet? I wonder when she will arrive in Poole, and by what route?

RTC says out via Bristol, return via Oxford, but I hear that the line between Oxford and Radley is to be shut completely from July 30 to August 15 while some new culverts are built and the line is raised above flood-water height - see http://www.networkrail.co.uk/great-western-route-modernisation/oxford/

 

Maybe up and back the same way?

 

Yes, I spotted this one on the website. 46233 made it right through to Weymouth in August 2008 on what turned out to be the very inappropriately-named "Sunny South Express" - it apparently poured with rain for much of the day! Hopefully, gauging checks have already been done but the LSWR Bournemouth line does seem reasonably accommodating - even 6024 worked through some years back.

The departure from Poole is provisionally scheduled for 06.35. In the recent past, Poole-originating steam trains have run down to Swanage the previous evening and spent the night there

 

This one has been removed from RTC page. A lot of cancellations starting to pop up. We need to get 70000, 70013, 61306, 6201, 60009 back in running order quickly as availability is once again starting to cause problems.

 

The 30 July Cotswold Venturer has been cancelled due to gauging issues wth 46233. There is no other loco available. It seems that the summer steam programme in the south is dependent on the return of 70013.

 

There are no gauging issues with 46233, there are gauging issues with NR infrastructure. Each time a tour is cancelled because NR can't keep the ruddy track in the right place they should be fined.

 

That's polite. Assisted Steam to tell it like it really is.

 

Been told down at the shed at Loughborough that 70013 is due back sometime in August, after some more tests and running in on the Great Central.

 

Let's hope they take the time to fix all the gremlins on the GCR before heading back to the mainline. Yes, RTC and SD are a bit stuck without her, but they need reliability more than anything.

 

Not surprised they cancelled knowing 46233 won't fit through Bath (Old railtour reference cliche')

 

Not sure a Duchess has ever been over the Cotswold line - 46233 has been to Worcester before but only from either the north (Kidderminster) or South (Cheltenham) directions afaik.

 

Would you like to elaborate on your Wootton Bassett and vac only rolling stock points please?