Non - Stop BRISTOLIAN 17/4/2010!

Through Swindon a couple of minutes early. Looking great in the sun!!

 

Just posted a quick video of her looking and sounding great in the sunshine at Sonning, 12.15 today:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8ddc0lUEUE

I will put all the various clips in one together after tomorrow's train.

 

Through Tilehurst on the main going like the clappers a minute or two up. Reported on the middle road at Reading so must of crossed from the relief just before Reading.
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Thanks for reminding me of that! I've been trying very hard to forget that. Best run to Worting for years and all I got was an average photo as 35028 raced along near Winchfield.

Be nice to hear how the GWR loco performed today. Must be some timers on board.

 

In the 50's and 60's steam trains were allowed 40 minutes from Paddington to Reading start to stop and so the timing today was pretty good compared to the old days - 43 minutes for 36 miles start to pass) and so I decided on Reading to see 5043 on the down "Bristolian" not least because, as a kid, I remember seeing a Manor in the last days of WR steam racing through the down through line on the Cheltenham Spa Express, headboard and all. and it was absolutely thrilling.

Could the same happen today? No!

She crawled through the centre through road with the driver hanging out clearly hoping the "road" to clear following the departure of the down Swansea and so maintaining the "non-stop" status of the run. It was a closely run thing but the signal came "off" in the nick of time. Phew!!

I must say a big thank you to the "bobby" at Reading signal box, because he held the up 1211 HST to Paddington in platform 5 for some 6 minutes to allow the Bristolain to cross in front of it from the down relief line to the down through line. That would certainly not have happened for a "normal" steam excursion.

As for the return, I think I will give Reading a miss although if it could get a clear run on the up through line that would be great.

I think Didcot or Twyford is the place to be for the speed for which we will always remember the Bristolian.
.

 

I believe it will have go slow through Twyford Station, not 100% sure, but should be back up to speed by Milley Bridge at Waltham St Lawrence (click here for street view) or Bottle Lane Bridge at Shottesbrooke (click here for street view)

Both nice viewing spots, the sun should be a bit off to the right by the time of the train

 

Tonking through Shrivenham near Swindon on the outward leg: http://david1984.fotopic.net/p64301944.html

Think it may be a while before i better than shot.

 

I was in the Black hoodie leaning against the fence, would of introduced myself had i known.

 

Roaring past Hay Lane (Swindon M4 Junction 16), 10 minutes early. Closely followed by a rain of soot, so the Tyseley self cleaning smokebox is working then!

 

Great pic, david1984.

Also, that GUV looks to be a fabulous bit of kit - well done to all involved.

 

Rip up the timing sheets. This train will arrive at Paddington very early if all goes to plan. <BJ>

 

That sounds better!

 

"TOTALLY AMAZING--A CREDIT TO EVERYONE" --My wife!!

Yes--back from one of the best days out--ever. Food Atmosphere Company Loco Organisation Weather 15m ish early arrival at Bristol

Oh,and 2 foxes!! Boarded the 9car HST at Exeter this morning(with an addtl rest/buffet) Full breakfast on linen/silver served. Top class service by Plymouth catering staff.

Senior FGW staff on board chatting to passengers incl the FGW Chairman/M.D./Mr M Galton--one of the heros who worked with Tyseley(presum Bob Meanley!)
+ many others. Charity fund raising by FGW continued on the return spl HST to Exeter along with a High Tea.......!!

What of the special steam run? Others can give details but"we did it",ran early+enjoyed AAA hospitality from everyone at Vintage Trains. Did I mention the LUNCH?
Fund raising on the steam run was "railway children"--excellent.
The atmosphere was So good. Relaxed staff determined to celebrate 175yrs of---read it up!!
5043 ran like a dream with,I think,Bobs' son at the regulator.

I am still in a state of shock. 2010 and we went Pad to Bristol NON-STOP on a perfect spring day.

Thank you to everyone doesn't convey my feelings. This was,for me, an AAAAAA+++++ trip + Ros Mason seems even more excited!!

 

Wow, half an hour early by Twyford, on the fast line, they even moved the HST over to the slow!!!

Just saw it at Milley Bridge, got there with plenty of time to get in position and get set up, I thought. Been there 30 seconds and "Blimey, here it is, get the phone out quick!".

Will post somewhat fortunate but not very good video shortly.

Edit: here is the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fH4AW6jaw1I

Commiserations to everyone who arrived to see it and missed it - I guess particularly up our end of the line.

 

Near Newton St. Loe on the outward run.





The return run, climbing Filton Bank.

 

Lovely pictures, thanks.

 

This is truly amazing! Dozens and dozens of spectators turned up at Twyford for the historic Bristolian due through at 6.50pm on its way to London.

Problem was, it passed through at speed on the up main line over 20 minutes early!!! An up HST was even relegated to the up slow line and passed the same time as 5043. Absolutely fantastic and I am so pleased I was in position ready for film her.

Clearly FGW and Network Rail had decided to allow the Bristolian to truly "have a go"!

For those on the train it must have been a "hair on the back of the neck" experience. It certainly was on Twyford station for those, like me, early enough to see it but very disappointing for the hundreds along the way who simply turned up too late. But that said, who could possibly have thought it could run that early!?

 

Well the later reports confirm some very early running at Twyford.

Anyone get the time of arrival at Paddington?

 

I'm no great lover of things GWR but this run has encapsulated all that is good about steam in general and main line running in particular. Well done to all concerned for making this happen and showing that even on today's high speed main line, something special can be achieved if the will is there. I'm sure all the Tyseley boys must be feeling very proud indeed today and rightly so.