Saphos - English Riviera Express 24/06/18

Timings are now out for this tour:

Outward: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54973/2018/06/24/advanced

Return: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54978/2018/06/24/advanced

 

No real surprise. DB crews. They're using the TBE via Westbury paths.

 

I see the ECS is due into the platform seven minutes before the train is due to leave BTM tomorrow morning. What are the bets it'll be late leaving given the signalling shambles of the last few weeks?

 

Brewham topped at 42, min 66.5 on the climb up to Somerton and Whiteball tunnel in at 24. Feels like the run has been unassisted so far.

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Just joined at Taunton. Had a quick chat with the driver who implied the ‘47’ was working a bit every now and again on notch 1/2 to Taunton due to the fire risk. He was hopeful it shouldn’t shove too much down to Kingswear but we’ll see.

I’m in First; I was assuming I would be in a Mk1 with opening windows but instead I’m in a sealed Mk2. FFS!

Stock is looking glorious though and the staff are all well-presented.



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Sydney Gardens, Bath, this morning

https://www.flickr.com/photos/16582147@N07/albums/72157698323865315

 

I saw the train accelerating over Blatchbridge Jn. soon after departing from Frome. Not a hint of work from the diesel.
For photographers, the whole area has been cleared of vegetation. <BJ>

 

Saw it at this morning , diesel was definitely working as the train came out of the tunnel .

 

‪A respectable 60mph minimum at the summit of Whiteball. Lots of noise up front and not much from the back (from the 3rd coach droplight), however a member of the footplate crew told me there was a fair bit of help from behind.

A nice run from Paignton to Exeter too which kept pace with a Penzance - Pad HST.


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Diesel not helping through Tiverton Parkway.

 

Our shots of the steady climb to Whiteball and emerging from the tunnel diesel assisted. For the return we went to Oath which was 100% steam !

 

Thanks for that I can at least count the 47 if it was providing power for a little bit somewhere.

Thoroughly enjoyable day though coach F got rather warm more so on the return as the air con wasn't working all day. Very presentable staff, bit too keen on the complimentary hot drinks, got a coffee between Exeter and Taunton, got off at Taunton for a leg stretch, on return to the seat they've already swiped all the cups away, only managed a of sips out of it!

Anyone take note of the speeds on the return? Interested to know what we were doing along the sea wall as we were certainly shifting, was impressed with us pelting through Teignmouth!

 

34052 crossing the Levels on the return leg. https://www.flickr.com/photos/79185888@N04/42276099054/in/dateposted-public/

 

Speed is an illusion. The line speed is only 60 mph around the sea wall roughly between mp206 east of Dawlish Station to a mile or so past Teignmouth.

 

My video of The English Riviera Express with Braunton taken at Starcross and Tiverton Parkway

 

Bit grim that they replaced the First Compartment coach with another Mk2 Aircon. Though I can't see us ever travelling with them even if it becomes an all Mk1 rake. Too many diesel intrusions on the sections that matter. Hope we get to see LSL's fleet out and about with other promoters.

 

That, of course, is your choice. The (wider) market will decide, as in most things, and I suspect, Saphos will be a great success. Regarding the diesel at the rear, the way this summer is shaping up I suspect all tours in the south will have one attached before long unless it rains heavily soon.

 

On the second point yes we do need some rain and apart from possibility of thundery showers at the weekend it looks set fair for a fortnight.

But on your main point it would be very sad indeed if the TBEX is undercut by the Saphos trains.

I have had more than a few disappointments on the TBEX over two decades - failed FTRs, diesels due to fire risk - but no failures out on the main line and some sparkling performances from all sorts of locos and have no hesitation in recommending this as a day out to enthusiasts and non enthusiats alike.

Really hope TBEX stress that, in normal circumstances, they don't run with a diesel and you do actually get a steam hauled trip. They really do need to stress this!

As far as Saphos is concerned yes ditch the diesel and the aircons and I'll give them a try.

 

I guess for a product where food and drink is offered then a compartment (even one that may have a table fitted, do not know if the one you refer to did or not) is less passenger friendly than a bay of 2 or 4 in an open coach.