Cathedrals Express with 4492: Surrey Hills-Guildford-Chippenham-Bristol 26th May

This looks like a good tour to chase around. Surrey Hills in the "wrong" direction, so climbing past Ranmore Common, a stop at Shalford, then presumably through Ash to Reading and off down the GWR through Box Tunnel and Sydney Gardens. And 4492 replacing Tornado.

Some excellent photo and video opportunities!

 

Dad, Mum and I will be up Ranmore Common work etc permitting! My Dad has got a couple of lovely videos of 34067 & 44932 from up there and I got a nice couple of photos on the last two times we have been.

 

Just noticed that as well as replacing Tornado on this tour 4492 is also taking over Tornado on a Cathedrals Express from Kings Cross to York on June 4th and and another Cathedrals from Paddington to Shewsbury on June 11th.

Looks like you may be able to see 4492 a bit earlier than you expected then Steve.

 

Times now available thanks to uksteam. There are a couple of minor errors. I've just checked the loco number. No.40602 was a Fowler 2P.

Now we all know that an A4 is an impressive loco but a load of 103 coaches .... I don't think so. <BJ>

http://www.uksteam.info/tours/t11/t0526a.htm

 

Probably means 13 coaches - apparently the Guildford stop has been cut out in each direction "due to the length of the train". I assume that it would foul up the pointwork somewhere while it stops.

 

I am now working which is very annoying! My Dad may still go up Ranmore Common in the day and I might make a trip to Chilworth for the climb of Gomshall Bank in the evening, should still be quite light at 8.30pm.

 

Anyone out to see this today? Popping out to phot it through Swindon but the weather is, well, dire!

 

I'll be out today, hopefully the weather will be a tad nicer though! I'll be behind STEAM museum

 

We'll be at Ash station later

 

I'm thinking about North Camp or possibly Farnborough North.

 

The restart from Challow loop for me. Must remember to take the oilskins, though!

Any news yet? Did she leave on time?

 

If she has 13 on and her second tender that probably means there will be a diesel on the back due to the heavy load as this happened last year on a Bath and Bristol run via Guildford and Haslemere (originally booked for 6233). Couldn't get the day off for this one but hope to see her later at North Camp.

 

As there are water stops, the second tender may not be used. It is a run done many times before with a single tendered engine. Why such a heavy load though? 12+support coach.

 

Left London, Victoria spot on time with 13 + both tenders.

 

Latest update I've got is Reigate 10.59, about 9 late. Oakfield, do you know if there was a diesel on the back?

 

If I wanted to see it stoped at Reading Spur Junction this evening, could anyone recommend a good vanatge point?

Cheers,

GWR76

 

I think the Diesel was there for banking purposes (out of Victoria) only. However from p9 @ Victoria I could not see if the Diesel did, definably, drop off.

 

No diesel and about ten minutes late at Ash

 

Back on time - just being held outside Reading at the moment. Decent turnout including lots of pupils from Shiplake College in bright blazers.

 

13 coaches is a typical Cathedrals Express load for a class 8 loco( although one with Tornado had 14( Generator Car)).Lizzie and the Duchess have both hauled 13 coach trips to Chester.