Collett Double is now a Collett Single 18th June 2011

Away from Warwick Parkway early but probably will be held at Leamington Spa to follow the 7.38 Voyager to Bournemouth and end up on time. Looking great in the morning sunshine with a Bristolian headboard, 10 coaches and no diesel. I've just noticed it takes 1 hour 15 minutes on the schedule to get from Oxford North Junction to the south end of Hinksey Loop!

 

5 late at Heyford, but going well. I didn't notice a box on the back, but the train whooshed past rather quickly, so may have missed it!

 

Nice picture of the Castle in the sunshine, at least there isn't a fire risk in Bristol, heavy rain last night and this morning.

 

At the moment there signalling problems here in the Bath area delays of up to 20mins. So FGW site says

 

A bit of a late post but was 5/10mins early at Theale

 

I wouldn't worry about fire risk for a while.

 

Just been told that the departure from Bristol has been retimed 1 hour later. Oxford departure will be 2107 as planned. Good news for the passengers, slightly less so for those of us hoping to see EoME at Dauntsey then nip across to the B&H for Ollie...

 

5043 arr BTM 5 early at 13:28. But what time will it depart? <BJ>

 

Rumours of 18:04 and 18:09 departure times from BTM. <BJ>

 

An HST departs from BTM at 18:00 for Paddington. A Northern Belle charter is then due to depart from BTM at 18:04 bound
for Bath, Swindon, Oxford and eventually Gobowen. The Castle should then depart at 18:09 if our rumours are correct. <BJ>

 

Sounded nice at Bradford on Avon this morning:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRjEMg3Ga90

Also seen at Avoncliff.

I have also been told the departure is booked for 18:09.

 

S0d's law the weather was grotty as this came through Bath. Best I could do photo wise!

 

Passing Bentley Heath earlier this morning: http://www.flickr.com/photos/61102738@N08/5845501069/in/photostream

 

Dep Bristol TM at later depature time as expected, passing Saltford at 18:20. <BJ>

 

Reported now to run into Didcot to take on coal due to problems at Barton Hill, Hinksey stop will be skipped.

 

5043 at Corston on the return leg.

 

Lovely panned shot there Ian - top class.

Regards,

Dan

 

Not a lot of coal in the tender. <BJ>