VT - Moonraker to Salisbury - 8th April

The confirmed times are now on our website: http://www.vintagetrains.co.uk/moonraker8april2017

We have 2 seats in Enthusiast Class in addition to a handful in Standard and Club is anyone would like to join us. Looks like Enthusiast class will be behind 5043 in the morning for those that enjoy the noise of a double-chimney castle at full tilt on the GW Mainline. I personally think it sounds more like a steam turbine than a 4-cylinder when at speed.

And do not forget there is the opportunity for a quick 'Shed Bash' at Didcot in the morning.

Ben - VT

 

And always the chance of a very good looking Driver for part of the day!!!

 

Ben - will it be free entry to Didcot for those on the tour? Trying to convince my wife that it's worth 'de-training' for a quick wander! Also, as we're in Coach G, does that mean we're close to the front on the way back up Hatton Bank?

 

Got some new drivers then ?

 

The letter that came with the tickets says the following - "Didcot Railway Centre have kindly agreed to open their facilities early for our passengers to make a flying visit whilst we are stopped at Didcot Parkway. Passengers will need to have their Vintage Trains ticket with them to gain entry".

That certainly gives the impression (to me anyway) that it is free.

 

Entrance to Didcot is no charge for the VT passengers as long as you take your tickets.

Currently standard class in coaches ,,,F, G and H will be at the front of the train on the return.

 

Didn't realise Mr Churchill had un-retired!

 

Looking forward to this one, my first main line trip for a year!! Think I'll join at Banbury though..Solihull 06.45, Banbury 08.25! How does it take an hour 40 to do that bit?

 

We haven't yet seen the details of the pathing for this outing on Real Time Trains, but if it follows previous form on this route, there are likely to be lengthy pathing stops at Leamington (centre roads) particularly on the outward leg (20-25 minutes) but maybe also on the return leg of this trip.

If you are interested in enjoying the sort of performance that the Earl is well capable of delivering, it may be worth waiting to see what the confirmed path looks like before deciding on the relative merits of the joining station. I am expecting that 5043 and its crew will deliver a brisk run from Leamington to Banbury in the morning (probably just outside even time) and like-wise in the evening. That would tend to suggest that Dorridge/ Warwick Parkway would be sensible alternatives.

But also bear in mind that north of Leamington, there is also the Piece de Resistance on the return run in the shape of the assault on Hatton bank from a standing start at Warwick Parkway - roughly 3 miles of 1 in 108/ 103/ 110 rising - should be a great soundtrack almost worth the admission price all by itself if the Earl is on song.

For these reasons, I am planning to join/ leave at Dorridge. But this is just a personal preference, and all about finessing what will inevitably be a great day out anyway

 

I wonder if one can get a pay-on-the-day single from Warwick Parkway to Dorridge?

 

It's worth checking thats there not a Stratford to London train due at the same time of the run up Hatton Bank, as it will get held about half way up as per last year.

 

Very good point - that's precisely what also happened three years ago with the returning Aquae Sulis, and it turned what should have been a rousing finale into a damp squib. But that was in a later path - around 21.45, I believe - and that invited the possibility of a conflict with a Stratford-Leamington local crossing its path at Hatton. There is still such a movement, nowadays a 21.02 call at Hatton, but the "Moonraker" should be well past this location by then.

So, barring the phenomenon of "Commentators Curse" all should be well. Just wish we could see something on RTT to confirm all this.

 

I'm really looking forward to this. I've never travelled on any of the old LSWR network by steam before so, even if the schedule prevents 5043 from running at it's best, it'll be something new for me to 'tick off'. Hopefully RTT should have the timings up soon; for the Welsh Marches on 25/03 timings were there about 10 days earlier. I am curious though what the reason was for this trip not to have Tyseley as the first pick-up point. Looking through the programme on the Vintage Trains website, this is the only one that doesn't have that as the first pick-up point.

 

As you say I was planning to make final decisions based on the full timings. I have gone to Solihull in the past but with a 90 mile run from the wrong side of Oxford first I would have to leave home at silly o'clock. May also bale and chase the train to Hatton for the climb up the bank. I'm in Enthusiast so, if the above information proves to be accurate, would be at the back on Hatton.

 

Nothing on RTT yet for this, any reason for the delay? Braunton's timings for the same day went up several days ago.

 

This isn't an official comment but it could be problems getting a path with 1552 Salisbury - Waterloo reversing at Andover to traverse the Ludgershall branch in the half hourly WTT passenger service. (It's the return leg of a railtour to Southampton Eastern Docks and Fawley - a re-run of the special which derailed next to the former Southampton Terminus station last November.)

Cheers, Neil

 

Outwood http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U53094/2017/04/08/advanced
Return http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U53098/2017/04/08/advanced

 

For info, the RTT for the Andover Fist return leg: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U53438/2017/04/08/advanced

 

The Earl would appear to be running rather well this morning. 7E arrival at Leamington, according to RTT, and now waiting for the booked path. The mist is clearing from the Cherwell valley, so I'm off to Heyford, as soon as I've finished my coffee