Royal Duchy 2019

They both were and that's the fun of records Al. We don't treat them seriously; they just happen. Unlike the Blue Riband on the S&C there weren't enough trains over the South Devon Banks to set load standards for the route. Certainly can't set it at load 10 as only 4 locomotives have ever taken 10 over the banks: first was 6233; then 71000; then 60163 and finally 35028. 6233 and 60163 are at a serious disadvantage on the reverse curves of Dainton and Rattery due to their much bigger driving wheel diameters so we weren't expecting either of them to beat the 60 minutes westbound with 10 or 9 as its hard to make up the time lost on the banks 'over the top'. The timers always expected 70013 and 9 to beat the 60 mins westbound. Got close a couple of times.

 

To put these into context on 28th April 2012 No. 5043 on 9 did it in 60 net (63/25 actual) after a check at the start and again at Starcross and adverse sigs all the way in from before Plympton. Min on Dainton was 36 (my best ever and compares to 30.5 with 6233 and 34 on Tigley (28). The Duchess won on faster running out to NA, down to Plympton.

 

Sort of what I said about Tornado's time on 23rd June. Not a record climb of Dainton; Good on Rattery and luck with the signalling. Duchess similar; nothing special on the banks. Wouldn't expect it with 6' 8" and 6' 9" wheeled pacifics.

 

Bearing in mind the posts above, I've put together 23rd June's Summer Cornishman v 4th August's Royal Duchy. Interestingly 60163 was ahead of the Duchess from mp194, and won the banks in total. Indeed the A1 was in front for the entire journey....until Mutley Tunnel. The vagiaries of records!! Apologies for the landscape format. Text too small in portrait.

 

Interestingly although 6233 has the fastest time overall 60163 had more impressive times on the banks, on Dainton the climbs were 7th(60163) and 14th (6233) in my table and on Rattery 3rd (60163) /20th (6233); this out of 47 runs I have details of.

 

Err… in no way to detract from Clan Line and the magnificent performances that it always seems to deliver when it steps away from its Belmond duties to enjoy the freedom to perform on a much wider variety of routes. But referencing last Saturday’s efforts by 6233 is hardly the sternest or most objective measure of Clan Line’s June 2018 achievements on the Cornishman.

With Tornado, on the other hand, can I just mention that (admittedly) with one coach less, 60163 took 5’48” over the same climb this year, bettering Clan Line’s effort (not 6’15”, but 6’22” according to 1020 Shireman) by 35 seconds. Which probably better reflected the relative advantage/ relative handicap that one coach less/ one coach more presented. But even so, just note the respective EDHP’s achieved on this section (c/o Sean Emmett calcs) Tornado 1943 versus Clan Line 1759!!

Perhaps we could go further (without getting too partisan!) ….1020 Shireman’s detailed log of Clan Line’s Cornishman effort shows comparative data for Tornado’s Load 10 run in March 2013. The very same climb from Totnes to MP227 consumed just 5’50” – almost identical to Tornado’s effort this year but with one coach more!! Note - a whole 33 seconds faster than Clan Line’s much-lauded effort last year, and much closer to being an “apples-with-apples” comparison.

And that, as you might say, “seems to me to be rather better…still”.

 

The three runs mention timed over the measured section MP223 to MP227.5:
60163 6m 18.44 sec (9/330/355)
35027 6m 56.9 sec (10/357/385)
6233 7m 19.24 (9/?/?)

46233 went faster on 28/8/16 6m 16.56 sec (9/335/360).

60163 is fastest with 10 (10/357/389) at 6 min 19 sec 9/3/13

But way out in front is 71000 on 28/5/07 with a remarkable 5 min 39.53 despite starting the climb at 46 (sig check at Totnes), achieved a minimum of 45 mph. 9/310/340.

 

Missed Port Line's run!!!

 

What was the Exeter to Plymouth time of 71000? Thanks

 

EXD-PLY on 28.05.07 incorporated a 17 minute pathing stop at Newton Abbot. Please see my PM on this subject that will answer your question more fully.

 

Thanks

 

Well according to an email received from RTC today, and their website nr 9 is the rostered loco for both the trips in September.

 

Excellent news. That was the original intention I believe and we were hoping No9 would do at least one of them. PRCLT's Railtours page hasn't been updated since 22/7 and is still showing them as working both; with the rider subject to change.

 

facebook page

facebook page states no upcoming events for 60009

 

Odd. RTC's Royal Duchy pages now have:

We will be steam hauled by No.60009 Union of South Africa from Bristol.

not 60009 or 6233.

We'll find out soon as the e-tickets will probably arrive before this weekend.

 

Well they had uploaded a picture of it raising steam at Southall this afternoon and a link to RTT for the times of the DCE tomorrow around 17:00

 

Can only comment on what is seen in real time at the time of posting...

 

Any news on the motive power for the last two trips this year?

Loading looks light with 2 each of Premier, First and Standard Class plus buffet and support.

 

Just had e-ticket for Sunday. Duchess again. Usual 8+POB train. Pity no No.9.

 

Thanks. Had a recollection that 6233 was rostered for all but upthread seemed to counter than.