Valentine's Express from Paddington 13/02

Can't see any other posts on the subject.

Any one else on the trip to Bath/Bristol?

 

Reported 12 late leaving Padd. <BJ>

 

Was on time/early at Twyford showing how lax the schedule on the first part of the trip was.

Looking forward to hearing the Gresley rasp again on the return.

 

Train definately departed Paddington at about 0935. Must have lost time and then caught up again. Inward stock was a little late in though

 

On time through Bradford on Avon. Loco working hard away from Bradford Junc but was completely shut off through BoA and Avoncliff which was a pity for me.

 

Approx 12 mins early exiting Twerton tunnel, west of Bath at 13:07. Steam allowed to run in path of late running HST.

Steam charters regularly slow at Freshford for the restriction at Dundas aquaduct. I've been caught out myself in the past. <BJ>

 

She was going very well at Ufton Nervet. We could hear that Gresley rasp coming for some time before she appeared. It was bl**dy cold though and there was a bit of snow falling too so we chickened out of chasing her any further. Might get some shots on later.

 

Was running nearly ten minutes up at Bathampton Junction - nearly caught me out!

 

Just uploaded my video of this tour to youtube.

See my signature below for the link.

 

60019 going like the wind through Keynsham at 16:45 with 12 on (mostly maroons).
Reported Bathampton Jct. 17:01 (ta Glen). <BJ>

 

I heard it was a mid big end problem on Scots Guardsman, is that right?

I see my envious friend has yet again marked my video down, fair enough if it's for any good reason. Trouble is they never have the balls to let me know! (can I say that?)

 

Through Kintbury a couple of minutes up. Well Done to the driver for the valentine's thrash.

 

Any updates on the return run? I'm about to get on a stopper at Ealing Broadway and need to know where to get off! Don't want to pass it at speed!

 

Saw it at Theale (on time). Looked nearly empty to me. Apart from that, it is about the best departure I have seen leaving Theale, really opened up by the farm crossing then whistled & started to blow off as it approached the M4 bridge.
Question, why does West Coast include a chocolate & cream Mk2 "Ullswater"? air con in the formation? It ruins an otherwise matching set of maroon coaches & looks out of place with Mk1's & met-cam pullmans. It looks as because of this one coach a Diesel loco or generator coach is required, the rest of the stock is piped for steam heating.

 

From watching Bill's fantastic vid it seems like it was used as the kitchen car, so I gather that it was the only available kitchen car available. The genny van was also used as a barrier coach as the leading standard class coach was a Mk1 TSO.