The Royal Duchy 2016

Footage from Whiteball, Dainton and Saltash.

 

Thanks for the information as I filmed the train at both Whiteball and Stoneycombe.

The speed of the train at Stoneycombe was incredible .....I can't stop watching the film.

Unfortunately due to family commitments I had to miss the return. Hemerdon would have been a joy. <BJ>

 

Hey were you parked on the hill before you walked down to film the train? If so i was parked behind you

 

From the outside it does look to me with an uneducated eye that 46233 could do so more Hermerdon this year but who knows what RTC shall do. Nothing is being reported on other locomotive statuses.

 

Just had an email from RTC, the Royal Duchy on the 4th Sept. is postponed to the 25th as no locomotive is available.

 

Does anyone have any ideas as to which Loco it might be for the 25th September?

 

...or even the 28th, a week tomorrow. No tickets yet and no indication of an engine. Anyone in the know???

 

I'm hearing it's the Duchess part II !

 

That would be good as missed Part 1! Perhaps they're sorting out the logistics of where to overnight her. Might be SPM as there's no other steam loco there this time. Still nothing on RTT for outward or return.

 

Looks as if DBC have thrown their rattles out of the pram:

Extract from Ticket Letter:

We have great pleasure in confirming that we will be steam hauled from Bristol to Plymouth on the
outward and Plymouth to Bristol on the return by 46223 Duchess of Sutherland.
For operational reasons concerning the turntable at Par the sections from Plymouth to Par on the
outward and from Par to Plymouth on the return will be diesel hauled. Please accept our sincere
apologies for this change.

Still got the big banks but the return from Par to Plymouth is a big loss. Does this mean WCRC are going to ruin the day by leaving their diesel on the back from Bristol?????

 

It's that bloody fence some twit decided to park ridiculously close to the turntable well again, requiring it's chopping the first time the Duchess visited, Laira triangle being the next turning facility.

 

Let me assure you that it is nothing to do with DBC. The staff at St BZ have been really helpful and co-operative throughout. The issue lays with the owner of the half round shed. When the site was sold some years ago, the fence was put too close to the turntable for 6233. Many other locos including 34046/67, 70013, 6024, 5029, and many more have been turned with the fence in place. (including 60009/19 with an inch or so to spare). Sadly, proper engines need a bit more space!
See you Sunday.

 

If a workaround was found on 7th August it seems a great shame that the same can't be done again. Might greasing the shed owner's palm with silver help?

 

So what's the position with the diesel? How is it getting to Plymouth?

 

The Diesel will work light engine to and from Plymouth and will not be attached to the train
it will work the train Plymouth to Par and return

 

Excellent

 

This seems like the best solution to me - given the fact they had to angle-grind the fence off I very much doubt they are going to want to do that again.

 

He constantly gets grumpy complains from the taxi firms who live in the roundhouse apparently about what happens whenever steam tours are down...

Less of a problem if the roundhouse project is a success - it will be a heritage centre

 

Presumably the fence is there to stop people falling into the pit? Pity the uprights were 'permanently' fitted rather that 'slotted in' for flexibility.