Saphos 2023

46100 ‘Royal Scot’ on the ‘St David’s Day Welsh Marches Express’ - Wednesday 01/03/2023 - YouTube includes whistle.. taken right by the W board!

 

Royal Scot leaving Abergavenny on the way down to Cardiff.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/16582147@N07/52719307747

 

Shrewsbury this evening about 7 minutes early. 46100 with a clear run through the down loop doesn't have far to go to Crewe but the train still has a long trip to Holyhead, TfW - next on Platform 4 will get there first.

Vezi atașament 74961

 

...and a video of the same...

 

A fine night shot given the movement.

 

Thanks.
For anyone interested --- RAW image from a Nikon D800 - lens Nikon 50mm f1.8G.
Exposure 1/100 @ f2.2, ISO 3200.
Processed in Adobe Photoshop ver 24.1.1 - noise managed in Topaz deNoise AI.

 

That's impressive at 1/100, even considering it was only moving slowly!

 

With 34046 moving to Southall today it looks as if there'll be pretty appropriate power for tomorrow's 'Golden Arrow'.

 

I saw it this morning, it has the headboard and the Arrows, just needs the two flags on the front, what’s missing will be the Pullmans

 

Judging by RTT, 34046 seems to be making good progress towards Canterbury this morning.

 

Certainly is!

Slow around London, some good spirited running beyond. Maidstone negotiated at 18mph and Bearsted passed at 29mph - tells you all you need to know about diesel assistance.

Water taken at Lenham, and currently heading on the last stretch to Canterbury.

 

I'm not entirely sure it does - are you saying that the diesel didn't assist? If not, getting from 18 to 29 up 1 in 60 on damp rails is impressive for a light pacific. Or have I interpreted your comment completely wrongly?

 

Braunton approaching Hollingbourne this morning with plenty of exhaust. Diesel on rear sounded pretty quiet.

 

Was sorely tempted to nip (by train) to Tonbridge to film it, but the combination of the stock and the weather have decided against it for me. Edit - it's been at Paddock Wood for half an hour now, so it looks like there may be a watering problem or perhaps a clear run at Hildenborough was sought by waiting at Paddock Wood. If the latter, a good little bit of operating!

 

With 12 on and diesel, 10mph increase on a 1 in 60 suggests a good amount of assistance.

For comparison on Martin Mill, I had 11mph at Deal, 28 at the start of the 1 in 70, topping the bank at 16mph.

 

I obviously misinterpreted your earlier comment!

 

Braunton at the summit of Bearstead bank at Alotment Bridge Bearstead and leaving the water stop at Lenham…

 

Photos from Bearsted and Lenham... https://www.flickr.com/photos/alts1985/albums/72177720306505822

 

Looking ahead to 1 April, the Golden Arrow working's timings are up (the same as last time I assume) but I notice that, contrary to some claims on this forum that no steam workings in the UK are shown on RTT as planned for anything above 60mph maximum, this one is proof that the maximum used is 75mph (which I have seen many times before but couldn't be bothered to search for previously). Incidentally, the train is shown on RTT as taking the DM line at Headcorn, which I take to mean Down Main. As there is an up fast road and an up, non-platformed loop, is this correct, and if so why?

 

Interesting that it is pathed at 60mph outward and 75mph back whilst steam hauled??

Do the extra paths before and after the special at Hanwell Bridge loop where the power swap occurs suggest this consist might not have an engine at both ends??