Torbay Express 2018

Will try & load video when I return home tomorrow


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

So would I bearing in mind No.9 has stalled there in the past with a normal load.

 

Norton Fitzwarren this morning after water stop at Taunton.

 

It wasn't. Around half the load.

There are very few locos that would be able to pull the equivalent of 17 coaches up goodrington at linespeed. An A4 is not one of them!

 

Not my video , the 66 doing all the work at Whiteball and Tiverton Parkway .

 

BOA on the way out and Avoncliff on the return. As expected it was coasting at both places!

 

I know it's a commercial thing and many passengers don't object to how the Torbay Express is run, but what a really sad sight seeing No.9, in it's final year of service on the mainline, being pushed around by a diesel.

 

Fire risk

 

Think I don't know that? The point is it really is sad to see a great engine reduced to that; a smoke for show machine..

 

Couldn't agree more. I fully accept the fire-risk situation but my opinion is that it is better to run with diesel only in the circumstances. It would be a lot more straightforward, would save wasting coal, water and support crew time. I know it's a commercial thing as you say, but do people really believe they have been on a steam train trip just because there's a steam engine emitting a bit of smoke on the front?

 

Quite agree but the received wisdom from those "at the sharp end" is that a show pony is more welcome than no pony. Plus it allows for the moot claim of being "steam hauled" and therefore able to better mitigate any complaints. It's not satisfactory to me but if thats the way businessess choose to manage things in order to prosper the market will ultimately decide.

 

As the hot and dry conditions continue the only way we'll be able to experience steam on the main line is when it's accompanied by a diesel. It's not ideal but I don't fancy a summer without a main line steam fix.

I went to my local station at Keynsham yesterday to see No.9 pass through. I didn't have a camera, for obvious reasons, and so was able to really appreciate the sight and sound of the loco which was working hard with no apparent assistance from the diesel. I almost shivered as the crew sounded a nice long blast on the chime whistle. Young children were so excited and had big beaming smiles on their faces, us 'older' kids were also very happy.

As has been mentioned it's not good to have a diesel in the consist but in the present climate, no diesel = no steam. <BJ>

 

Good point, might also be the case the promoter is contractually obliged to hire the loco unless there is an outright prohibition on steam usage.

 

Lets just have the shed on its own next time then, Keep the teapot on shed next time.

 

Your being very obtuse,not exactly the behaviour you would expect from a moderator, your calling me out for having an agenda, Yet following me around with your own,
Seems a tad strange to me,

 

Can we have that in English please ?