10th June: Cathedrals Express to Bristol

Well, it's only the day after tomorrow for this train.

The loco is still at Tysely, (I think).

There are no times for it yet, and even the provisional 09.30 start from Victoria has gone from the Steam Dreams web site. (At least where I last saw it).

I know we've got a thread about the loco. But I thought that we will (hopefully), need a thread for the day itself.

So here we go. With fingers crossed.

 

Duplicate thread to 2/6/2010. No further info yet

Mike M. ( 70c )

 

Outline times now confirmed on Steam Dreams' web-site:

Outward Timings
London Victoria - 0845hrs (Platform 2)
Staines - 0933 (Platform 2)
Ascot - 0958 (Platform 1)
Reading - 1033hrs (Platform 4)
Bath - 1245hrs
Bristol - 1304hrs

Return Timings
Bristol - 1636hrs (Platform TBA)
Bath - 1653hrs (Platform 2)
Reading - 1923hrs
Ascot - 1958hrs
Staines - 2021hrs
Clapham Junction - 2055hrs
London Victoria - 2113hrs

Can't be sure from these which route it's taking, though the Reading stop would suggest either via Swindon or Newbury. Details are promised later. Bit of a shame it's not via Salisbury. I'd love to hear Lizzie thundering up Upton Scudamore.

 

Steam Dreams also go on to say that the late timings are due to NR's wonderful new fangled system. These are confirmed timings as well.

 

Steamage, I think that there is a clearance or weight issue with the Avon Valley route near Dundas Aquaduct which means that 6201 runs via Chippenham to Bath.

 

Thanks Michael, that makes sense. Dauntsey bank for me tomorrow evening, then.

 

I think I might pay my first visit to Sydney Gardens for the homeward journey then!

 

Chippenham, Bath, Dauntsey, Avon Valley, Sydney. 46201.

Where is Waterloo, Surbiton, Woking, Milepost 31, Basingstoke, Worting Jctn, Andover and Salisbury? Plus 35028.

And I'm going to be on my own until my elder brother joins me at Reading.

It's going to be so frightening. All these far off foreign places. Can someone arrange for a Bavarian Serving Wench to come along to hold my hand please?

 

Times now at www.uksteam.info/tours/t10/t0610a.htm
Outward via Ascot, Reading, Newbury and Trowbridge, return via Chippenham, Didcot, Reading and Ascot

 

I had thought that there was a weight/height restriction for Princess Elizabeth at the Dundas Aquaduct, and thought I had read it on a previous thread on PE's other runs to Bath.

If there is a restruction is it only on the Bathampton, Dundas, Avoncliffe section, rather than Avoncliffe, Dundas and Bathampton. Can anyone confirm why the route is different on the way back.

 

There is certainly limited clearance at Dundas Aqueduct which requires a speed restriction, but no steam engines are banned as far as I am aware (in either direction). One of the attractive features of London-Bath & Bristol tours is that there are a variety of possible routes. Steam Dreams quite often use a different route on the outward and return legs.

 

reported "Dep Vic 5 late at 0850 with 37516 thrashing more than Lizzie! 13 on."
thanks to RM for the info

 

Just popped out from work to see her, running about 5 mins late between Earley & Reading. Class 37 not on the back now !

 

Passed Theale 10.53 still about 5-6 mins down. Must of been checked as it was accelerating hard not going that fast although a previous HST was quite a few minutes ahead.
Hopefully will post video later.

 

She's looking and sounding brilliant. I will now head off to Sydney Gardens hoping for a good show.

 

Left Bristol on time

 

Thanks for taking the time to send this. Information seems a little scarce at the moment.

Chris

 

Aye that it does, people don't seem to be sending updates at the moment.
Not sure why. It will improve the more people become aware of the system.

 

Yet people were worried that they would be overwhelmed with texts earlier in the thread.