'The Cotswold Explorer'. 8th October, 2016

Superbly. <BJ>

 

The those who want to see the Earl up Sapperton. Here it is, filmed on the final approach to the tunnel and what an amazing soundtrack it was. Enjoy.

 

Great vid but what was that sudden explosion of steam from the steam cocks. Was it priming so needed to get water out of the cylinders? I trust there was no mechanical damage.

 

Really going for it........brilliant!

 

My effort at chalford

 

Hmm, and who said things would be boring with out Ray Churchill being around. Ray Poole doesn't take any prisoners as that video clearly shows, great soundtrack!

 

The Earl passing Wadborough this morning. I should have taken video as well, the noise as it accelerated away from Worcester was tremendous.

 

Made a superb restart from signal stop outside Moreton in Marsh this evening. Seemed to lose about eight minutes from Oxford as a result of a late running HST and the long section north from Moreton. Would like to know from anyone on board whether the delay was for any other reason apart from the HST. Another fantastic day out from Tyseley. Wish I had been on board!

 

Yes correct. Long sections and late running HST in front losing more time after Morton. Great shame as we ran very well in between the checks. Made up a but of the lost time after Worcester. 24.9 min on Old Hill. Great day out with Vintage, The Earl, Ray Poole and Alastair Meanley

 

It certainly looked good at Appleford Level Crossing!

 

I went out in the evening to photograph the return trip at Charlbury. The preceding HST certainly seemed to wait at the station for longer than usual - at least four minutes at the platform, which might be why people have reported some delay on the way back at this point. That said, when the Earl did come through, it looked (and sounded) pretty good!

 

Two views from Sapperton yesterday , plus a gentleman who seems desperate for a day out with the undertaker .

 

My footage of yesterday's run. Seen thundering up the Great Western Main Line at Bourton and running along the Cotswolds Line at Combe.

 

A fellow passenger before the climb up Sapperton said Ray Poole was the " Sapperton Specialist".

 

A very enjoyable trip, thanks to Vintage Trains and West Coast.

 

IMO, I still think that 2013 was 5043's best run up Sapperton ! fireworks that is, but it was one coach lighter. Anybody got any logs of the Great Britain run up Sapperton when it took 12 in the pouring rain ? Surely performance wise that was it's best ?

 

I began to wonder if NR is relying on the Earl's ashpan to kill the weeds.

 

We noticed on Saturday that the track around St. Mary's level crossing is full of weeds. The weed killer train must have missed out the Golden Valley route. <BJ>