Saphos 2023

My little video from yesterday's return leg, shot in 8K on a mobile phone - what will they think of next?

 

The Midland Pullman at Kyle of Lochalsh today

 

Makes Scotrail's 158 look a bit down market - Enjoy the Kyle.

 

Did it fit? Changed somewhat from my 1985 visit (when the locals were putting out sandbags in the street after days of torrential ran and I had just cycled across Skye!).

 

My daughter who travels worldwide for business and pleasure ranks BA amongst the very best. The service in business class is exemplary and they put themselves out to cater for passengers with problems, a good example being today when daughter is on a BA flight as I write with granddaughter who is in crutches due to a collapsed knee. She was given priority and help throughout

 

Anyone on here booked for Saturday to Worcester and heard anything off Saphos yet??

Oxford to Didcot line shut yesterday for a few weeks due to a viaduct issue which scuppers outbound working. Presumably a new path to be submitted to go Sapperton both ways?....

 

If it does do Sapperton both ways then I wouldn't expect to hear anything from them about the change of route. The last pickup point is Shenfield, and the train will still go to Worcester, so no need to notify passengers of alternate arrangements. I was on the Lord of the Isles Pullman for the last 3 days and the website, as well as all the onboard literature, was describing how we'd go over Beattock Summit. Of course, as we all well know, Carstairs Jn is closed, so instead the train veered right at Upperby and took the Tyne Valley Line instead. I don't think many people noticed. The pickup points and destination remained the same, so no need to notify passengers. These aren't enthusiast tours, where passengers book on them specifically for certain routes or certain traction. Other than their Intercity brand, LSL serves a very different market.

 

Now going via Sapperton to Worcester, but with a reversal at Gloucester....

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U55143/2023-04-08/detailed

 

I think that is probably the least bad option.

Looking at the return times I don't think the train can leave in a path any later than 1633 so if you had to turn as well as service at Worcester that just wouldn't happen....

Andrew

 

So diesel leading Gloucester to Worcester?

 

Point taken re the journey length but Worcester is a lovely destination for a day trip. I know this as I live here!

 

As a Pear in exile I wouldn’t disagree, but as a cathedral city Norwich is rather nice though!

 

1 hour 20 minutes to water and service the loco at Worcester is a bit tight, even if it all goes to plan. Pretty sure the loco has to come off the stock to go and water and well.

 

It doesn't have to come off the stock but it's still tight. Watering is done in the Long Siding. The challenge is for the tanker driver it's a bit tight getting into the factory yard by the line and he has to reverse out.

 

Is Mayflower scheduled to haul this?

 

I'm honestly not the Worcester Tourist Information Centre (!) but.......

Top tips and quick things to do in Worcester apart from spend 2 hours at Shrub Hill:-

1 - get a taxi into the town centre, the walk from Shrub Hill isnt particularly interesting and is 15 minutes wasted, a little more if you're not quick on your feet. There are long term plans to regenerate the immediate environs of Shrub Hill and the area that links it to the city. This regeneration really can't come soon enough!

2 - For those with a taste for real ale get the taxi to take you to The Dragon in The Tything , a big but independently owned pub. Always has good ale on with the bonus that I believe it is having a mini beer festival this weekend. Very clean and pleasant pub.

4- Smaller pub, very friendly but with an even nicer choice of beer - The Plough in Deansway. Personally I think its the best pub in the world !

5 - for those with less taste the Wetherspoons by Foregate Station has closed (serves Tim Martin right for pushing Brexit lol). There is another Wetherspoons, The Crown in Broad St (centre of town). Never been in.

6 - St Richards Hospice Charity shop is bang in the centre of town in St Swithins St. Has a very good railway, motoring and military section in the bookshop upstairs. Often has rare and more interesting titles.

7 - Our Riverside Park - the City Councils name for the ongoing improvements been made to the whole riverside - is beautiful. The most accessible section is the The Quay which will give you the classic view of the Cathedral and the swans (of which we have nearly as many as we have Seagulls!) , easy walk and clearly signposted from the city centre and close to The Plough or The Crown

Plenty of other things to do, places to eat and drink or just to relax but the above are the first that came to me.

Enjoy Worcester!

 

I guess these pictures from Paul Clifton show why it is closed to trains.
https://twitter.com/PaulCliftonBBC/status/1643961993517301760?t=cFwWWVuWbUoDGxry4KKSzg&s=19

 

How on earth did NR let it get in that state? As you all say on the Twitter feed that's indicative of years of neglect. Wonder how many other structures are the same on the network?