Great Britain 3, 6-14 April 2010

The latest times available to me still show the train reversing at Gloucester and Nuneaton, and presumably diesel hauled between Gloucester and Nuneaton, through Bromsgrove at 12.48
But I gather this could all change !

David

 

UKSteam.info now shows times for Bristol - Bromsgrove - Stafford - Preston with no reversals. Stops at Bristol Parkway, Spetchley UL and Crewe. Still awaiting revised times for Wednesday.

 

So im confused, is it steam hauled bristol - plymouth - bristol as on the timings or not?

 

Never was steam outward from Bristol. Always planned to be D1015 Bristol - Penzance. I gather this may still happen now the strike is off but with Diesel return to Plymouth. Whether the outrward run is to Plymouth only or Penzance, as of yesterday on The Royal Duchy the support crew said steam was coming on at Plymouth for the return run to Bristol. 44871 + 70013. It is planned for the locos to run light from the SDR to Plymouth.

 

Oh well - after a day slaving over a computer, timetables, hotel booking sites etc - its all in place! but I've got no scanning done today.

Grand UK touring by rail and car, with steam out of the window much of the time, some long day commutes, some hotels with real ale and good food in the evenings, and amongst company from this country and abroad as we go - splendid!

Where are they staying in Inverness?? - I even got a bargain rate at one of the usual RTC hotels!

We should even be able to see the final arrival at KX and still be homein our own beds that night.

Way to go!!

Let's see what the weather brings now!

Colleagues and family photos from Scotland this week are spectacular, and I don't think there will be a lot of snow melt below 1,000 ft

 

Well in Inverness we are in the Thistle,thats one of the RTC ones....

 

I'm in the Royal Highland, another of the RTC ones.

Dave B

 

According to UK steam info updated last night, D 1015 Bristol-Plymouth and steam return.

 

Any news regarding the derailment of 44871 at the SDR? <BJ>

 

As Mr Riley described it on another forum, 44871 had a slight "Earth Fault" with the tender. It is now rerailed and back at Buckfastleigh, and subject to examination and inspection today, all should be well.

David

 

Good news indeed. Thanks David. <BJ>

 

Does anybody know which way the locos will be facing for the Stranraer leg on Saturday? Tender-to-tender would be the logical arrangement to avoid many miles of tender-first running, but.....

 

My video from Saturday now up.

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

FC

 

OK, I've sussed out my video spot for tomorrow, will try Duffield Road bridge at Sonning Cutting, about 12.45. Then rush off down to Challow.

Anyone else going to be there?

 

I've packed camera and tripod, a stack of maps, blank video tapes and a change of clothes for when I get soaked on Beattock. If you see my silver Skoda Fabia (OU04 NGN) between Plymouth and the Kyle, give me a wave. I've got the Steam Age market barrow with me, too.

(BTW - the review of my Oliver Cromwell disc in The Beano got the price wrong - only £10, not £20)

 

Well - here we go again!

It starts with £10 - ten bloody quid to park at Stockport station! Robbing Virgin barstewards!

At least we get brekkers for free - but where do they find those mini sausages? Very tasty - but quite a lot to the pound, unlike some other commodities!

No steam visible at Crewe, just a red tender, something small and insignificant in blue, and Stockport 40

So - Paddington, Reading, Bath and Bristol - then a Voyager - bleugh - home

Anyone got any hints for the Lickey, other than "Book Early" looks like being a zoo on Thursday!

Another coffee sir ....................

 

i got hold of the timings of tops yesturday, the steam tour on thursday is due through bromsgrove at 12:49. the diesals which is with the tour is due through 5 minutes later at 12:54. lets hope all the passanger trains are on-time as this would cause a big problem for the double header to get up the incline. it will be a fabolous day.

which is the best spot on the incline? VIGO bridge?

 

Vigo will be a full front on shot into the sun [not that the sun will make an appearance].
The times have been on UKsteam.info for a couple of days now @ http://www.uksteam.info/tours/t10/t0408a.htm

 

Today 6th April 2010
5029 held just outside Reading on relief line just before 1:00pm, but heard it whistle as it went though Reading in the distance
just after 1:00pm so at most could be down 5mins !