Atlantic Coast Express 4th-6th Sept.

We can but dream.<BJ>

 

5029 is at Bristol, but i suppose it comes down to Support Crews??

 

The only ways to get steam all or most of the way from Exeter are, GW main line all the way to Reading and on to Victoria via Staines or to Castle Cary, reverse and DL hauled to Yeovil Junction, reverse and on to Victoria as booked. These are unlikely as they would take too much organisation and a long LE move for 70000 back to WSR ready for it to stand in on yet another inaugural run for 34046! This is unless the problem with 34067 was not too serious and has been repaired.
My sympathies go to Steam Dreams and above all their passengers.
Andover

 

I wouldn't call it silliness Frank, every company has it's own safety case etc so why should WCR be any different?

You would probably be one of the first people to jump on their back if it all went Pete Tong & start saying they should have set standards etc etc.

They are a business after all so have to make important decisions once all facts are obtained.

Anyway, has anyone taken any more videos of this trip?

 

I wouldn't think so. It would seem that WCR have serious safety concerns about both these loco's, 71000's tubes, and who knows the real answer in 60163's case?? With all the boiler problems it has had and togeather with the fact that the Australian authorities have virtually condemned and sent back a boiler of similar size made by the same manufacturer on very serious grounds, no one could blame them for having concerns!

 

Yes. 34067 + 70000 bursting out of Flax Bourton tunnel. No surprises that the sun was shining, I was stood between Bob Green and his wife!! <BJ>

 

Quick one from yesterday morning of the pair passing through the cutting just before Surbiton Station. Best bit of mainline steam action I've seen a while!

 

Are you saying that WCRC considers both 60163 and 71000 unsafe?

 

Does that matter so far as WCRC's decision as to what steam locos they wish to be involved with?

I would have thought they should have freedom of choice based on their own business criteria and any other judgements they decide to make. The end result certainly does not look that good to a good number of us, but we aren't running their business.

 

The class 47 was left on the back at Par but I suspect things will change at Plymouth.

HTH anyone out

 

The class 47 is still on the rear atm (at Plymouth). Last seen still piped up so I assume it'll assist from the rear over the banks. Good luck to anyone braving the elements to see us.

 

47 will be on the rear to Oakhampton, it will then lead Oakhampton to London according to the gen groups.

 

some photos from plymouth in the rain at 47 still on rear when it departed http://keyhamtrain.weebly.com/

 

went out of Exeter on time was slightly early on arrival had a chat with the driver said went very well over the banks and said about 60 along the seawall. and the 47 was dead on the rear

 

Just got back home after getting soaked this morning. At Goss Moor, Glynn Valley and Dainton the 47 was working but not much more than tickover. Video to follow.

 

Hi All

My shot of 70000 on Hemerdon Bank, where there was alot of assistance from 47500

http://mattcarey.weebly.com/september.html

Matt

 

Here’s my video of the return leg of the ACE, taken in poor weather, at:

Treffry Viaduct (Luxulyan Valley)
Goss Moor
New Bridge (Glynn Valley)
Combefishacre (Dainton)

http://youtu.be/uWSJ2I97rPU

 

I know it is only a minor point but the magnificent Britannia looks naked at the front end with no express headlamps up. So someone has slipped up here. The big lamp in the middle signified a light engine movement in steam days!!

 

Just to get some decent steam action back into this thread now a box is pulling all those ACERs back to London!

A moment from November 1965 I can remember very clearly. Sitting in a compartment with some of the old gang. Including brother Don.

34090, known as the Milk Marketing Board Machine, (after one of the drivers called her an old crate. LOL), roaring over the mini summit at Oatlands Box at just over 77 mph. Exhaust sound echoing back from the cutting walls. Sounding a little off beat as usual for that loco. Ten cars on the 17.30 ex Waterloo.

Sooty Saunders on the throttle, or rather under it, as it would have been in the roof! Alan Rowe on the shovel. On the way to what I think is my fastest time to passing Woking from Waterloo. 23 mins 32 seconds. But not with the platform 19 start the two pacifics had on Sunday. Got clobbered with checks from before MP 31.

On my best ACE week with dear old Fred Hoare from Salisbury we'd be through Woking in around 25 and a half minutes with Fred's normal cautious start. He liked to let the loco warm up. But knew where the regulator should be once he got going! He was the most consistently good driver of all those I ever timed from Salisbury top link.

 

Dont think that time was ever beaten Wedgie, though I once had 24 mins 51 secs to pass Woking on the down ACE, 35014 on 11 in July 1962. Full log on the RPS website.

Sad day though when the up ACE is hauled by a class 47 which it never was in the days of steam. If we had a properly co-ordinated approach to steam railtours then there would only have been one tour today and it would have been steam where booked.

Brother Don