Western Slater 19/09/09

Im booked on this,thanks to FC who paid for me as a birthday present and was wondering if anybody has a Gradient Profile for the line up to Blaenau Ffestiniog?
I was doing a search and saw some results saying the a Black 5 stalled with 5 on and that other trains have had problems as well.I would have thought 1015 will have 10 or 11 on so could be a good run.

 

Dont have one to hand Nick but i think there is a bit (2 miles?) of 1 in 36,my lords?!

 

I have one in the RTC booklet for the Welsh Mountaineer, but it is no clear enough to scan.

The Gradient from Llandudno Junction to Bettws-y-Coed varies between level and 1 / 200.

From Bettws-y-Coed up to Pont-Y Pant 1/50, 1/69, 1/36, and 1/46

Pont-Y Pant up to Blaenau - 1/304, 1/330, 1/62, 1/90, 1/60 ( up top just before Tunnel) 1/660, then down 1/43.

 

It's not just the gradient but the constant sharp turns. There are many sharp bends and cuttings and tunnels where the rails remain damp.
Some years ago I was on a train headed by 80080 (I think) which stalled. We set back and had several goes but could not proceed. When the tank ran short of water we had to wait for the other 4MT to bank us up (the train had run with 2 standard 4 tanks to Llandudno Jn. The train was then split to allow each of the tanks 4 coaches up the branch).
I think this may have been the first steam banker on the main line in preservation.

 

The black 5 stalled with 7 on, not 5. It handled 5 without problem on both the 5th & 26th August.

 

Thanks for putting that straight 6.05,I Googled for the Gradient and saw a result saying something about stalling.I remember seeing the PSOV video of the Standard in trouble,amazing shots.
Thanks for the other replies,its going to be an interesting climb.

 

western slater

hi nick,
have a great birthday on thursday and enjoy your trip on saturday
see you both soon jane

 

Thanks Jane,I will see you at Temple Meads sunday evening as I going back home with Shirl.Then 2 weeks off,really looking forward to a great week-end and some time off!!!

 

Is there an empty stock movement on Saturday morning for this train?
Eastleigh to Didcot with D1015 would be nice. <BJ>

 

1015 is the ultimate hill climbing machine, no worries.

 

Just about to set out for Didcot.20.20 Yeovil to Waterloo,underground to Paddington,0021 to Oxford,0359(or something like that!!) to Didcot arr 0410.Video 1015 arriving hopefully, then tour departs 0630.
Really looking forward to it.
Just had argument with FC about who is going to enjoy the week-end more,it was a draw I think...........................

 

Errrr dont think so Mr FBC. I will definately have a better time than you...................... ;-)

 

Just finished uploading my filming of this event.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2zY58Ucmp4

Big thanks to Nick for the updates this morning - top man.

 

Caught D1015 leaving Oxford this morning just after dawn. Still nearly dark and using 1/250 F4 at ISO800, so not a masterpiece.

Video still being processed, but she sounded good and thanks to the crew for the horn as they went under the bridge just north of Oxford station.

STEVE

 

Passing Bescot at 9:15: http://david1984.fotopic.net/p61045889.html

That a lovely picture considering the lighting Steve

 

Western slater

Nice shots from both of you! I managed a couple of shots just outside Coventry. The driver opened her up for us and these were the results!

http://ricksdieselnmoderntraction.fotopic.net/p61036199.html

http://ricksdieselnmoderntraction.fotopic.net/p61036200.html

ATB RICK

 

Some nice shots there

Here's the video from Oxford this morning - turn up the volume !!

http://www.rail-videos.net/video/view.php?id=6901


STEVE

 

Many thanks for those excellent clips,particularly the exit from Banbury! Incidentally,why the genny car on the back,does the Western not have eth?

 

Warship D870 almost did when it was built in 1961! The idea fell through though. Why need a gen car anyway, not exactly cold today.