If you register, you can do a lot more. And become an active part of our growing community. You'll have access to hidden forums, and enjoy the ability of replying and starting conversations.

Royal Duchy 2018

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by LMarsh1987, May 23, 2018.

  1. No.7

    No.7 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 7, 2005
    Messages:
    1,625
    Likes Received:
    101
    It was clearly stated over the Tannoy on the train, by the RTC train manager, that:
    a) coal was not ordered for Par
    b) he considered this perfectly reasonable.

    I hope lessons are learned.
     
  2. 6026 King John

    6026 King John Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2006
    Messages:
    1,491
    Likes Received:
    735
    Location:
    Hampton Court, Surrey
    Braunton is back home on the WSR - can see it on the Bishops Lydeard webcam.
     
  3. 26D_M

    26D_M Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2009
    Messages:
    4,416
    Likes Received:
    1,681
    "Send three n fourpence, we're going to a dance" springs to mind.
    Whilst all this scapegoating is entirely usual, perhaps we could tend back to the simple screw-up theory, that the wagon broke down / driver sick / misdirected / held up in traffic etc?
    If a previously reliable arrangement failed, obviously it will be reviewed, but as the statement says sometimes rubbish happens and provided the right thing is done by customers, things can move on.
     
  4. 26D_M

    26D_M Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2009
    Messages:
    4,416
    Likes Received:
    1,681
  5. 1020 Shireman

    1020 Shireman Part of the furniture Friend

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2013
    Messages:
    2,836
    Likes Received:
    2,677
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Relaxingly retired
    Location:
    Deep in the country
    Interesting that no-one was prepared to say that on the day. Passengers would have appreciated it.
     
  6. 1020 Shireman

    1020 Shireman Part of the furniture Friend

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2013
    Messages:
    2,836
    Likes Received:
    2,677
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Relaxingly retired
    Location:
    Deep in the country
    Back to the train as it ran. This is my report of the day.

    The Royal Duchy 2nd September 2018

    So to the first proper Royal Duchy of the year. Only steam from Taunton-Par and return so at BTM 37668 was waiting, unusually at Platform 15. The load was 8 with 3 Pullmans to add a bit of extra weight. We were off to a spluttering start with slow pick up, then no pick up after Bedminster. Would have been ironic if we didn't even get to the steam leg!! We came to a stand after a serious rev from the front. The driver seemed to do a restart and fortunately for us we got away and found out at Taunton that the 37 had suffered from a fuel pick up problem. The 37 was detached and ran back into the sidings and after a few minutes Braunton and POB backed onto the train.

    We left 11l and were looking forward to the attack on Whiteball. Andy Taylor was our driver with John Shaw providing the steam for him. 'Cold' fire but rebuilt Bulleids always seem to steam hard so we were hoping for 40+ into the tunnel.

    We had a good start, passing mp164 at 33 and Silk Mills at 39. Plenty of noise and smoke saw a steady increase in speed to a below par 50 at Victory LC. We had a decent pick up then and crossed Bradford -on-Tone LC, 3 miles out at 52. Speed rose to 55 but then fell back on the 1 1/2 miles of 1 in 174 (52), then rose to a maximum of 56 on the short 1 in 170 through Wellington. We met the steeper mile of 1 in 90 for a mile at 55. Speed fell steadily to 48 at the start of the 3/4 mile of 1 in 86 and we only took 43 onto the final 3/4 mile of 1 in 80. Not a 40+ day as we entered the tunnel at 37.7. Bit under par for a Taunton start on dry rails.

    We ran through Tiverton Parkway at 73 and passed Tiverton Junction at 69, coasting a bit. The max on the run down to Exeter was surprisingly at Cullompton, 77ish. Andy let Braunton run down the bank close to 70; Hele and Bradnich LC was passed at 70; Stoke Canon LC 74; before we braked for Cowley Bridge Jn and drifted into Exeter St David's in a slowish 34 minutes, 9 down.

    The fire looked good but in what has been the rule not the exception, we were delayed by a late running PAD-PNZ HST. We only left 5 down but too close to the HST for any kind of spirited run to Exminster. Our speed was only 34 at St Thomas and as the HST that was stopping at Newton Abbot, Andy didn't waste steam and Exminster was only passed at 61; Star Cross 63; Dawlish Warren 58;. Dawlish pretty close to the line limit of 60; and Teignmouth at 61. Four miles on we approached Newton Abbot Station at 57, only 7 minutes after the HST had departed for Totnes where is was due to stop again. With green signals we roared through the station at the same speed and up front they prepared for an assault on Dainton.

    No pickup of speed on run to Aller and we took the right fork towards Stoneycombe and Dainton Bank. Plenty of noise from up front as Braunton began to round the succession of tight reverse curves past the Quarry with their ever steepening gradients. We met the first 1/4 mile or so of I in 98 at 58. Speed fell quite rapidly to 48 over the 1/2 mile of 1 in 57; to 39 by MP 217 after the short 1 in 46/56, and to 33 over the 1/4 mile section of 1 in 56/41. This took us onto the final reverse curve, 3/4 mile with short sections of 1 in 41/49/36/44 where speed fell to 18 at mp217 3/4 and to just over 17 into Dainton Tunnel. Time taken from NA was a modest dry day 5 mins 12 secs.

    We were watching the late running HST on RTT and were still only 7 minutes behind it over Dainton Summit and again the memory of Ray Churchill's 'arrangement' with the panel about signals on the approach to Totnes came to mind. Despite being about 10 behind the HST, we were slowing on Totnes approach, down to 17 near mp222. We finally got a green close to mp222 1/2 and Andy drove Braunton hard to pick up as much speed as possible for the attack on Rattery. The gradient picks up under the stone bridge that is only a short distance past the station. Lovely sound from the front as we accelerated through the station at 38 but we only hit the foot of the bank at just over 40, against a hoped for line limit of 60.

    Crews dislike Rattery Bank far more than Dainton as it is a 4 1/4 mile climb over tight curves with steep gradients. The first 3/4 miles of 1 in 66 to mp223 1/2 starts just under the bridge in sight of the station. We came off it at 34. Next was 1/4mi of 1 in 71(32); then 1/2 mile+ of 1 in 47 where speed dropped quite rapidly to 20.2. Over the next mixed 1/2 mile of 1 in 50/56/47/57 to mp225 our speed dipped just below 16. We were rather pleased it was still bone dry as we struggled up the 1/2 mile of 1 in 52 to Tigley, mp225 3/4 at 13.4 min. Typically the safety valves lifted for a short time. Over slightly easing gradient, a 1/4 mile of 1 in 52/74, Braunton rallied to 16. On the 3/4 mile of 1 in 90 to mp226 1/2 speed slowly rose to 24, There's still 1/2 mile mostly of 1 in 95 but with a short kick up to 1 in 65 to mp227. After a max of 25.5 the short 1 in 65 took us back to 21.7 and 'over the top'.

    Interestingly on 30th July last, the Scot started the climb away from Totnes at 42 and in the rain the big engine passed Tigley at 23.3.

    Nothing exciting after that. The track speed is only 60. Reference points were Marley Tunnel(31); Wrangaton summit(35); Ivybridge(60). We dropped down Hemerdon at around 60 and drifted past Laira at 50; Lipson Jn 40 and drifted towards North Road. We had the usual slowing followed by a noisy short I in 83/71 climb into Mutley Tunnel where we were down to 13.6. We rolled into North Road 18 down for a quick top-up with water. Bit congested at Plymouth and we left 4 down.

    The first couple of miles are undulating with tight curves away from the station. Not a quick climb of the short 1 in 100 then 1/4 mile of 1 in 59 to Devonport(18). We passed through Dockyard(32); Keyham(38) before climbing a short bit of 1 in 83/59 to St Budeaux Ferry Road(34) and beyond before a sharp 1 in 62 onto the Royal Albert Bridge (14).

    Once over the Royal Albert Bridge we passed through Saltash(20) on the tight curve. There's a short 1 in 200/142(45) but the first real climb in Cornwall comes at St. German's. We approached the station after a fairly noisy climb away from Wiveliscombe Tunnel(48); up 1 1/2 miles of 1 in 144/220 (48 to 52), then 1/4 mile of 1 in 97 up to the station(49) ; 1/4 mile of 1 in 215 through the station(46); 1/2 mile of 1 in 78 (43); 3/4 mile of 1 in 68(36). We approached Menheniot at 53 after which the grade steepens to 1/4 mile 1 in 80(53.2); 1/2 mile of 1 in 95(48.9); and just under a mile of 1 in 74 to the summit where at just over 40 there was seemingly a TPWS brake application or perhaps a signal check as we made a rapid stop close to Sig LD36. We accelerated through Liskeard (30) to attack the climb to Doublebois; first a 1/2 mile of 1 in 61(46.3); 1/2 miles of 1 in 74(30.6); 1/4 miles of 1 in 58(23.3); 1/4 of 1 in 857(25.6); 1/4 mile of 1 in 68(26.6) then there's a bit of a blip 1 in 67d/level before a short sharp 1/4 mile of 1 in 53 to the summit, passed at 38.7.

    It's basically downhill then through Bodmin Parkway(49) with a short climb into Brownqueen Tunnel (58) to Lostwithiel(47). The climb to Treverrin Tunnel, starts with a 3/4 mile of 1 in 118/57/72(39); 1/4 mile lev/1 in 147(42) then over the 1/2 mile of 1 in 64/85 into the tunnel(38.4). We drifted down the bank into Par 12 down.

    We had lunch at the Rashleigh Arms in Charlestown. I opted for Proper Job which was an excellent choice as was the 'seafood option'; fresh local Mussels followed by a fresh local dressed crab.

    Back at Par the train was in the sidings alongside the station. Same crew as far as Exeter we were told. Less than 1/2 mile out of Par we the close to mile of 1 in 84(19). The easing grade to a mile of 1 in 109 saw speed rise to 22 as Braunton dug in up the almost a mile of 1 in 62 into Treverrin Tunnel(17). We dropped down through Lostwithiel(41)and after a mile of level/1 in 160(43) tackled the 10 mile climb to Doublebois. The 1 1/4 mile of 1 in 389/short bit of 1 in 71, took us into Brownqueen Tunnel at 48 and we hit a max of 50 just after on the short 1 in 142 down. We heard Braunton 8 back as she tackled the mixed mile that steepened to 1 in 65 through Bodmin Parkway mp274(42). The three cylinder sound was superb up the four miles of I in 80/69/58/68/58/70 with a respectable minimum of 25.2. The grades eased and we attacked the mile and a half of 1 in 90 at 30; hit the level section at 29.2 and picked up to almost 39 into Sperritt Tunnel.

    I didn't time the run down to Saltash fully. Station speeds were Menheniot (57); St German's (47) and Saltash (13). We climbed the short 1 in 81(14.5) onto the Royal Albert Bridge and passed St. Budeaux Ferry Road at 44. There was a noisy climb up the almost 3/4 mile of 1 in 68 into Keyham(41); and after Dockyard (39) almost drifted up the short 1 in 76 into Devonport (32). We arrived into Plymouth North Road 7 minutes early.

    There was chatter that the Class 37 had been sent from Taunton for what reason was unclear. We did find it on RTT finally and then went up front to find out what was going on. You know the rest and disappointingly we watched Braunton and POB leave the train and back down into the middle road as Andy had decided there wasn't enough coal in the tender to even get the locomotive and POB back to Newton Abbot.

    Passengers were disappointed but in general the mood was good and there was an acceptance that these things happen. It definitely would have been good PR if the leader of the Support Crew had apologised for the situation there and then but that didn't happen. It was left to the train manager to make their apologies and RTC's for the lack of steam back to Taunton, which for many of us should have been the best part of the day.

    So with 37668 arriving at 1911 and backing on smartly, control let us go at 1920, 26 down. Not the thing I'd normally do but I timed the 37 up Hemerdon as a 37 with 8 was a fair old load. We growled over the River Plym Bridge at 58ish; passed Tavistock Yd at 60; approached Plympton at 61; then approx mps: 242, 1 in 660/111, 57.7; 241 3/4, I in 41, 54.2; 241 1/2, 1 in 41, 42.4; 241 1/4 1 in 47, 39.5; 241, 1 in 47; 33.3; 240 3/4, 1 in 42, 25.5; 240 1/2, 1 in 42, 19; 240 1/4, 1 in 42, 15.2; 240 1 in 42, 15.4; 239 3/4 1 in 42/75, 15.1; 239 1/2, 1 in 75 21.8; 239 1/4 1 in 630 30.8.

    And I 'did' the final mile or so of Dainton Eastbound, again approx mps:

    220, 1 in 86, 50; 219 3/4, 1 in 206, 51.5; 219 1/2, steepening to 1 in 76, 51.7; 219 1/4, 1 in 1 in 76/105 48.2; 219, 1 in 105, 45.4; 218 3/4, 1 in 55, 41; 218 1/2, 1 in 65/38, 36.1; then we hit 'the wall': 218 1/4, 1 in 38, 24.9; 218, 1 in 43/37, 17.5; Tunnel In 15.9.

    Slower than most Class 7s with 9 on; and not as good as 45407 with 8.

    Thanks to control we got back to Bristol at 2200, some 45 minutes early, so anyone who had ongoing connections must have been well pleased.

    How to sum up the day? Braunton looked immaculate, a credit to the Support Group and LSL. I must admit to being a bit disappointed with the performance on Whiteball, and the final 1/2 mile or so into Dainton Tunnel. Rattery was seriously compromised by the late running HST and consequent lack of green signals on the approach to Totnes. Starting the climb at 40 makes it really tough. Cornwall was good both in both directions and even if the coal situation was known about leaving Par, there's no way you can take it easy up the long climb to Doublebois.

    Many thanks to RTC, and particularly to Nigel for always persevering with the Royal Duchys despite the adverse events that seem to cloud it year after year!! It's a great train for enthusiasts and non-enthusiasts alike with both a challenging and picturesque route. Thanks to Andy and John for their work up front and WCR for arranging the train; to LSL's Support Crew Group for everything on the day apart from the coal thing; and to Network Rail for letting us onto the big railway; and special thanks to control for resolving the issues in getting the 37 to Plymouth; the rapid shunting of Braunton; and then giving us a clear road to Bristol.

    So one to go on the 16th. We're booked on and I hope Braunton is the motive power as she owes us one!!
     
  7. gricerdon

    gricerdon Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2018
    Messages:
    1,572
    Likes Received:
    726
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Gricer and Grandad
    Location:
    Wallers Ash
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Thanks. Don
     
  8. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2015
    Messages:
    6,078
    Likes Received:
    4,893
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Swanage
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    The LSL Facebook statement seems not to imply that. If so then presumably said supplier would have delivered it to Laira this morning rather than SDR having to help in the sourcing of coal.
    But hey what do I know!
     
  9. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2005
    Messages:
    35,446
    Likes Received:
    9,144
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired-ish, Part time rail tour steward.
    Location:
    Northwich
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    LSL and Icons of Steam make a statement apologising for what happened, yet some seem to be unable to accept this and like terriers are not going to let go of it. Sometimes when these sort of things happen, those at the sharp end are so busy trying to solve the problem the train manager is not kept appraised of the current situation. But he should be I hear you saying, have you ever been at that particular sharp end, I doubt it so you have little idea.

    Please note I am defending LSL/IoS yet have no connection with them whatsoever.

    Awaits with baited breath to be slagged off for daring to look at it from the other side.
     
    big.stu likes this.
  10. gricerdon

    gricerdon Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2018
    Messages:
    1,572
    Likes Received:
    726
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Gricer and Grandad
    Location:
    Wallers Ash
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    No it could not. I remember a run behind 34067 with Ray Churchill. We left Bristol without a full tender of coal and Ray was very worried about getting to Par but did. As to water well yes it could do Taunton to Par but fairly tight. and I think that would compromise performance. The longest I ever had was Waterloo to Yeovil Junction non stop with 35022 in 1965. That's 123 miles but 35022 had a 6,000 gallon tender.
     
  11. steamvideosnet

    steamvideosnet Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 12, 2011
    Messages:
    1,968
    Likes Received:
    2,476
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Southampton, UK
    4 years ago this week if my memory serves me correctly, 7th September 2014?

    I remember someone (might have been you, Don?) posting a log of the day, not the best outward run due to the concern over coal but on the return and with a fresh batch in the tender, Tangmere only just missed 30mph over Hemerdon with 9 on... it was a soundtrack I’ll never forget! One of Tangmere’s best days.



    But I digress...

    James
     
  12. alastair

    alastair Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 7, 2005
    Messages:
    1,232
    Likes Received:
    748
    Fair enough Ralph and point taken, but it does stretch credulity when exactly the same problem, on the same train, has happened before. You would think someone at LSL/IOS would have double and indeed triple-checked every detail of the coaling arrangements.
     
  13. 26D_M

    26D_M Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2009
    Messages:
    4,416
    Likes Received:
    1,681
    Well anyone can infer an angle, but "not arrived" rather than "not ordered" has more plausibility to me and may well be misinterpretation has led to the comments by RTC/WC staff referenced by those on board. I'd back LSL to 'fess up if they'd misjudged the requirements and simply not ordered. I find it inconceivable an order was overlooked, given all the experience amongst the respective parties.
     
    big.stu likes this.
  14. 30567

    30567 Part of the furniture Friend

    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2012
    Messages:
    5,610
    Likes Received:
    3,512
    My memory is not 20/20 but I'm fairly sure the crew on the Welsh Marches run in June with Braunton said they would have shifted 6 tons by the end of the trip. So, given the South Devon banks maybe 7 tons round trip?
     
  15. 6026 King John

    6026 King John Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2006
    Messages:
    1,491
    Likes Received:
    735
    Location:
    Hampton Court, Surrey
    Super write-up as ever. Hope you have better luck on 16th - Braunton is the rostered loco, so lets hope the coal gets delivered to St Blazey this time. Glad you enjoyed your Proper Job in the Rashleigh Arms. Great pint and good pub.
     
  16. Robin Moira White

    Robin Moira White Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Apr 27, 2014
    Messages:
    11,247
    Likes Received:
    17,947
    Gender:
    Female
    Occupation:
    Barrister
    Location:
    Stogumber
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    To offer a different (and distant) perspective, I was booked to be the WSR signalman at Bishops Lydeard to accept Lord Dowdy light engine in from Taunton.

    Fortunately I picked up on social media that there was an unexpected light diesel move, and some well developed antenna soon revealed that I (and the WSR conductor-driver) would not be needed. So my Royal Duchy experience was a glass of Thatchers Gold by my fireside and an early night!

    Robin
     
    60017 likes this.
  17. gricerdon

    gricerdon Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2018
    Messages:
    1,572
    Likes Received:
    726
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Gricer and Grandad
    Location:
    Wallers Ash
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Yes correct it was. Thinking back to the days of steam the Merchants used to run the 172 miles Waterloo to Exeter on one tender of coal. This was their longest stint.
     
  18. KristianGWR

    KristianGWR Member

    Joined:
    Jan 2, 2011
    Messages:
    905
    Likes Received:
    1,251
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Swindon


    My footage of yesterday's run, filmed at Marlands and Tigley. 6023 is also featured, working services on the Dartmouth Steam Railway. I hope you enjoy it :)
     
  19. AnthonyTrains2017

    AnthonyTrains2017 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2014
    Messages:
    2,237
    Likes Received:
    918
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Perfect, best of southern and GWR.
     
  20. 26D_M

    26D_M Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2009
    Messages:
    4,416
    Likes Received:
    1,681
    Does it stretch credulity that, despite adequate ordering and checks, something outside of LSL control occurred at a stage in proceedings too late to recover the situation?
     
    big.stu and Wingsandwheels like this.

Share This Page