RTC Cotswold Venturer 16/06/18

Clocked off early from C+W to see this through Cheltenhamshire, spent ages waiting at Badgeworth lane bridge wondering what had happened not daring to open my phone up and check RTT, finally got bored and opened my phone up just in time to see UoSA coming into view, typical!

Managed 2 pics from the same bridge though:

 

Everyones favourite A4 leaving Worcester.

 

That's a bold and presumptuous statement, I happen to prefer mine blue. With valances.

 

My footage of her blitzing Sapperton Bank with the engine glistening in the evening sun. Enjoy.

 

Hammering along, approaching Cholsey tonight!

 

Looking good a few miles further on at Goring too.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/davestubbings/41029162090

 

I’d say “the only working A4!”

 

Dodging the showers.

 

Getting away from Abbotswood Junction in the sunshine this afternoon.

 

What a loss to the main line she'll be once retired.

 

Agreed, but it's Mr. Cameron's choice and credit where credit's due, he's recently spent a lot of money with Riley's keeping the loco running when anyone else might just have said "no, time's come to retire it".

All being well I am looking forward to a mainline run in September. A pity it won't be along the ECML, but at least I will be able to say "I had a mainline run behind No. 9." And for that, I shall be very grateful to John Cameron.

The question is, and on here speculation is rife - will Bittern be plinthed for a period too, leaving SNG as the sole running A4?

I'm also a wee bit confused here:
https://nvr.org.uk/product.php/19/pacifics/69b6da8d1e9a7a7466f20e8bfce66594

- but uksteam.info has 60009 hauling the Torbay Express on the 2nd?

 

Flying past Sheen Hill crossing, just west of Honeybourne. We've got our A4 back alright!

 

Cassington, Oxon.

 

If it's anything like yesterday's run I would encourage anyone to have a run behind No.9 while you still can. Must try to fir in a couple more trips myself. Incidentally John Cameron was on the footplate for yesterday's outward run.

 

My footage of yesterday's run, filmed at Fawler and attacking Sapperton Bank, on the final approach to Sapperton Tunnel. I hope you enjoy it!

 

Lovely capture, I was a little further on at Wadborough, were you on this field for this location?

https://www.google.com/maps/place/A...c12096be2dec7ba!8m2!3d52.1495011!4d-2.1629342

Cheers,

 

Thanks and yes I was, a little way North of the road bridge. Vegetation clearance from Network Rail has opened up the view of the line here.

 

I know UK steam is a "Labour of Love" by it's compiler but it is not as accurate as it once was. The July 1 to Stratford on Avon trip is still shown on UK steam as being down for haulage by Mayflower where Steam Dreams substituted it for Union of South Africa a couple of weeks ago.

 

How can anyone be accurate with SD and RTC working from what seems to be a wishlist, quoting engines that are not fit to run or even in one piece, 60009 and Mayflower being two examples.

 

Agreed - everything seems to be running on speculation and rumour at the moment. The situation with steam in the South isn't good at the moment with 60009 seemingly the only fit loco to cover both RTC and SD! I was told by an RTC steward on Saturday that SD are having to cancel 3 tours in July due to the non-appearance of 61306.