'The Royal Duchy' - 30/08/20

Anybody got any idea on when 44871 is going to Bristol for next Sunday? I notice there's a move off St Philips Marsh HST in the morning but can't find anything west coast in the week to get the loco there.

 

I've heard some daft things in my time. Just had the ticket letter for Sunday's Duchy. Apparently we are going to be steam hauled from Bristol to Plymouth and return by Black 5 44871.

The train consist is:

A Premier Class
B PremierClass
C PremierClass
D FirstClass
E FirstClass
F StandardClass/BuffetCar
G StandardClass
H StandardClass
plus Restaurant Car and POB.
Load 10.

Tornado and the Duchess are the only locomotives that could take 10.

 

Clan Line as well but the pont is the same!

I wish all concerned the very best of luck getting a single class 5 over those hills if indeed it is unassisted.

Would assume some oily assistance may be involved as it needs to be at Plymouth anyway.

Andrew

 

I excluded Clan Line as she's not on WCR's roster of locomotives.
There will be a Class 47 on the rear and I think "some oily assistance" is a bit of an understatement with Dainton and Rattery Westbound and Hemerdon and Dainton Eastbound to tackle.

 

Just when you thunk this Covid year couldn't get any worse we get no proper steam hauled Royal Duchy. Been looking through our records and its the first time since 1994 that we haven't 'done' the South Devon Banks behind steam in a calendar year.

 

It could do 10 although it's risky even if it's dry, 44932 has done Sapperton with 11 coaches on similar curves.

 

Sapperton ain't Dainton, Rattery to Tigley or Hemerdon. The curves aren't as tight and the max gradient on Sapperton is only 60r for 3/4m+.
The gradients of the final mile of Dainton Westbound are quarters at: 46r/56r; 56r/41r; 41r/39r/36r; 36r/44r.
Then after Totnes, on Rattery Bank, the 2 1/2 miles to Tigley have gradients over the quarters of: 66r; 66r; 71r; 71r; 47r; 47r; 47r/50r; 50r/56r; 46r/57r; 52r; 52r/74r.
The mighty Hemerdon is 2 miles of 41r/42r. Dainton Eastbound is a bit easier on the gradient front, but with tighter wheel squealing curves: 65r/38r; 65/38; 38r/43r; 37r then a little bit of 130r at the tunnel mouth.

 

Has anyone got times for the train? (Sunday BTM - Plymouth and back)

 

Those travelling will. Not for us. 10 behind the Duchess would have been fun. Only done it once with 6233 and 10 before and that was way back on 27th October 2001. Anyone know why the 6233 folk pulled the loco so late in the day?

 

Ahhh memories of 44932 'pulled' for setting off lineside fires on the Duchy, then proudly limping back with the train after dumping the poorly '47 at Newton Abbott.

 

Theres a 0Z82 https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55150/2020-08-30/detailed so no diesel with 44871?


DN https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/…/U551…/2020-08-30/detailed

UP https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/…/U551…/2020-08-30/detailed

 

Thanks!

 

Curious all this as I was categorically told by RTC that there will be an assisting diesel with 44871.

 

Looking at all the WR at Plymouth on Sunday there is 5z84 45mph path to Par. Would that be 44871 tender first and its support coach?