6023 + 6024 Double Header to Plymouth - 10 March 2012 - UK Steam

The coaching stock on this train was appalling. The train operating company should be ashamed of themselves turning out a rake of coaches like this. And they are supposed to be professional company. It doesn't give a very good impression. I won't be booking a ticket on any of their trains in future.

 

Can you be more specific what was wrong with it ?, granted it's a mixed rake but i dont think a Blood & Custard/Choc n Cream rake is that bad, least it didn't feature InterCity colours like another tour today

Am I right in thinking mixed Blood & Custard /Choc & Cream rakes would be quite common on the Western Region at certain times ?.

 

Hmm, if you're inside the coach, then imo it doesn't matter what colour it is, does it? If, on the other hand, the interiors and/or heating, lighting etc were poor, than that's a valid reason for not booking again...

As David1984 has already asked, please be more specific.

 

Left Reading about 10 mins late, having followed THREE HST's into p.8 . Full head of steam

 

Arrived Paddington 2302hrs

 

That must have been a decent run from Reading to Paddington, bearing in mind stop at Slough. I have it on my vid and photos at Reading dep 22.19 (and thats correct 1 ) ps, that front light is bright for photos

 

Excuse me,were you on the train? What exactly was the problem. The stock was clean,inside and out,the heating and PA was working. What more do you want? You clearly have never experienced the late,and unlamented Green Train!

 

Some people are never happy unless they have got something to moan about, probably got a face like a bulldog chewing a wasp.

Cheers Dave

 

Hi everyone,

Here is my video from yesterday, a full 12:42 long. Locations include Thatcham (2 cameras), Whiteball (2 cameras), Willand, Dainton, Totnes, Hemerdon on the return (2 cameras), Starcross, Exminster and Tiverton Parkway (stunning night shot with cracking whistle!). Please feel free to watch, comment etc...

60163 - The Cathedrals Express to Plymouth 10-03-12 - YouTube

Thanks

James at SVN

Well done Steam Dreams for all they did yesterday. I know the tour was not quite the success they were hoping for with 60163 and 71000, but 60163 had a seriously good run at the banks. I don't think the 66 was working beyond 1/2 power at Hemerdon!

Anyway, enjoy!

 

Thanks for that Al.

I have thought that sometimes this thread has been used as an excuse to just have a go at Steam Dreams. Although I can't understand why.

I am convinced they would have done everything possible to have kept this as a doubleheaded steam West of Exeter, and you comments confirm that as far as I am concerned.

And you have also corrected any misinformation re the coching stock.

I'm also very glad you clocked an eventime run too!

 

This tour,after all the moaning on here,went off extreamly well.It kept reasonable time and when delayed was held up by other late running services and signalling decisions.
Full credit to all the DBS crews for keeping shedules that wern't easy to maintain with the load of 14/550.The highlights for me was keeping the 93 min schedule from Newbury to Taunton and the return from Exeter to Woodborough which was acheaved in 94 mins.I Personally did not go behond Exeter. The trip finished with two quick dashes from Reading to Slough and then on to Paddington.No really high speeds were recorded throughout the day.
Well done to Steam Dreams and DBS for an entertaining day.

 

The return times from Exd-Pad were amazing with load 14. A huge congrats to all concerned!
What do participants think 60163 could pull over the banks without a diesel/second steam loco?
The late running HST at Exeter is,sadly, something rather more frequently happening in the WoE due to power car issues etc after a v good period of higher reliability.
Control must rate Tornado as it was let out ahead of 19.23 Exd - Bristol voyager that was pretty close behind at Tiverton pwy! Well done to S.D. for running this tour--it must have caused much loss of sleep to Marcus as he tried to get a second loco at such short notice.

 

I agree with other posters - there has been much sniping at SD on this thread, much of it, imo, totally uncalled for. Under the circumstances it sounds as though it was a pretty good day out too. Tornado has her detractors too, but again, much of that is unjustified imo.

Well done to all concerned in planning and operating yesterday's run. I've enjoyed following it.

 

I was on board for her first run over the banks and we had 10 with no diesel.

 

I saw flying through the up fast at Twyford 10 minutes or so down with whistle wide open. Wonderful and a bit surprise for the punters waiting for a up stopper on the other platform.


In steam days the time allowed Reading to Paddington non stop with standard load of 12, was 40 minutes and so for Tornado to achieve this in around 43 minutes with 14 on plus a stop at Slough, was truly magnificent!

I think a star was born today!

Nick

 

I know Twyford's a great place to be for the speed and 'up-close' of it all Nick, glad you enjoyed it and there are ALWAYS plenty of passengers awaiting turbos to be surprised. My bit from Reading all in the dark and ear drums survived the sound of steam !! Can't see much but you can hear her storming off (towards Twyford ! ) to keep that timing.

60163 Tornado leaves Reading 10March2012 - YouTube

 

I think there's enough power in 60163 to take 11 over the banks, the sticking point in my opinion would be is there enough adhesion in a Pacific design to let it put that power down on such a steep bank ?.

 

What can one say, this was a very fine effort by all concerrned and all credit to them for it.
Tornado just keeps doing it and she must make her suipport group very proud.
As to the detractors, once we were just glad to see steam back on the main line even if it was pulling blues and greys, well done Steam Dreams.
Why don't you whingers keep your opinions to yourselves, you are entitled to them but most reasonable people don't want to hear them.
Sorry for moaning but I can't stand for a few rubbishing other peoples honest endeavours.

Cheers Dave