34067 to Stratford 27 08 2009

Passing Wilmcote station.

 

Nice shot Harbury,I caught it near Warwick.
See http://steamgalore.fotopic.net/c1746448_1.html

 

Not amused, forgot about this one, assumed it would run on the direct line via High Wycombe.
Hope to see the return at Tilehurst though.

 

Saw it this morning crossing the Thames at Moulsford pretty much on-time but taking it quite steady - and why not I suppose as that is one of the prettiest sections of the route.

Sadly I'll have to wait for my photographic efforts to show the light of day as they were taken on proper film!

Looking forward to hopefully seeing her at Reading this evening - should give the festival goers a surprise! That is if I can stay awake - up at 5am all this week!

Still I've got a good weekend to look forward to - hopefully seeing Tornado at Didcot, 5542 at Chinnor and driving 08's at Cholsey & Wallingford Railway. Add into the mix a spot of rowing, some work on the radio and a couple of pints and it should be a great bank holiday weekend!

 

http://railways.mjspencer.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=2632
http://railways.mjspencer.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=2641



Passing Wilmcote station at lunch time and climbing the bank in the evening

 

Drifted through Tilehurst 19:32 on relief. Whistled as it rounded the bend towards Reading, not sure if it was for the Festival benefit or not.

 

Through Earley but unfortunately has come out of Reading BEHIND the Waterloo stopper. Through on Amber. Seems popular though, plenty of passengers. . Looked good.

 

I nipped into Stratford yesterday to see 4953 Pitchford Hall that was scheduled to be on a test run from Tyseley for Sundays Shakespeare Express. I'd forgotten all about The Cathedrals Express being at Stratford so I was delighted to see 34067 already in the platform. Rumours were circulating that 4953 would be used to bank the train out of the station but sadly I later found that 4953 had been put in the loop at Shirley. So the stage was set for an interesting departure with 34067 and 11 carriages... Ray Poole didn't let the gallery down... The wheels were spinning every time the regulator was opened but finally adhesion was found and the train made a painfully slow getaway.

I hope you enjoy taking a look at the pics...
http://clive-hanley.fotopic.net/c1746702.html

I have heard that 4953 passed its test so should be on duty on Sunday and Monday.

 

Saw Tangmere northbound at the reservoir crossing at Claydon, and went to Kings Sutton for the evening return.

Due through at around 17:46 and the sun was fully out, but then went in shortly afterwards, and still no Tangmere. Spent the next 20 mins chewing nails, before the sun came out again just before she came through.

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=295302&nseq=5



STEVE

 

Lovely photo Steve. Worth the nailbiting wait!

 

That's a lovely shot.

 

Thanks

STEVE

 

refer back to Steves commenet with his photo that 'you can usually rely on Tangmere to produce some clag' starnge that morning and evening through Earley, she was belching dark smoke even though no power on. We thought it was just burning off some rubbish !!

 

In summer you get used to seeing steam on the mainline with no appreciable exhaust - but you rarely see a picture of Tangmere without something visible coming out of the top. In winter with steam visible, Tangmere's exhaust always seems to be at least tinged with dark brown.

STEVE

 

Here's one of Tangmere on the northbound run passing one of the public foot crossings at Claydon.

That rake of carriages is really looking shabby


STEVE

 

Probably because they've been used fairly frequently over the last few weeks and with the weather not being good either, its taken its toll.