'Tangmere' to Bristol. 19th March,2011

I believe the "issue" with 34067 was to do with the air pump, so I don't think a pushing diesel is relevant.

 

Cleepthorpes........where's that?

 

Superb pics, very nice locations!

 

Give that record player a tap, it seems to have got stuck. Again.

 

"Bang" "Bang" "BANG!"

Nope, still stuck unfortunately.........

 

And your point is?

 

I am certainly not the only person on the forum who has spoke about "rear end boxes" on steam specials.

 

I to am sick of the debate about having a diesel on the back.Its fairly easy to find out from reports of tours which companies use a diesel so why not just book on ones that dont?And yes its your choice,so exercise it.
I dont like having a shove like Tangmere did last Saturday, I could tell form a long way away that 47804 was pushing hard, and said to myself its not a true reflection on 34067 and is really almost cheating the passengers.I cant afford to do many trips nowadays but if I did it would be a Torbay Express,guaranteed to be diesel free, and I like diesels!!!!

 

With a name like "Western Venturer" I am not surprised you like diesels ! But I am impressed with your views about diesel on the back of steam tours. I have, over the years but more so recently, vented my feelings about the matter.

Yes people say they are "sick to death" about the topic but we must remember this. Steam fans are passionate about the subject matter and we must respect their views, even it is unpalatable for the lovers of diesels.

If I book a steam trip, it is because I want to wind the clock back to how it was in the 60's and relive the dream. In the 80's, 90's and the early part of the 21st centrury, I have been on dozens of tours where that dream was experienced with exhillerating runs by Taw Valley (89mph at Winchester - I was with Mike Notley), Union of South Africa 100mph on Whiteball, steam banked over Shap and Beattock; the list is endless. And yet, in more recent times, there are far more occasions echoed by commentators on this forum whereby diesels are tagged on the back and this is what has turned me off travelling unless their is a GUARANTEE that no diesel will be used.

Just a thought. If Western Venturer who actually likes diesels, feels cheated if there is a diesel on the back, mutilply those sentiments by 1000 for steam only fans!

That is why the matter will not go away. Bring on the Torbays and the RTC Weymouth's this year with not a diesel in sight. Those are the tours that will persuade me and other absentees to travel again.

 

Thank you for that, my feelings entirely.

 

Unfortunately I live in Reading, Berks. So it is a bit far.

 

How right you are Ralph. Commitments elsewhere unfortunately would have made this trip impossible but you will recall on the relevant posting for that tour, that I commented on the suggestion by Neil that a diesel may be attached on the back and I asked what event would make this necessary. One reply was to cover a possible failure!

In the end, I was delighted and over the moon to see it hauling its train over Shap and Ais Gill with no diesel on the back.

There are more important things in the world I guess, but to us steam boys it really does make all the difference.

As a friend said to me recently, we really do need to get on these steam tours soon, before OUR FIRES ARE DROPPED FOR THE LAST TIME - Eeeeeeek!

Nick

 

Apologies for the lateness but just uploaded photos of 34067 at Preston Park Station on my new Picasa web album that's replaced my old fotopic gallery.

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/cNlYGEiMbBdq6oc9LQYlFw?feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/QiSnbzKYV9a-gGizPHkCXw?feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/10Q2EOy-wN6VUTdkmJyNjw?feat=directlink

Cheers