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

The critical issue is what it could restart on the banks in adverse conditions - eg at the signal west of Totnes on Rattery bank. There have been problems here in the past with pacifics and also the V2, so I don't think that more than 10 would be allowed.

David

 

I would agree with your summary.


I agree with your summary and would add that we were checked severely on the return on the Westbury avoiding line due to a service train crossing our path.

We a good run/path from Exeter to Plymouth, but the return were checked a number of times.

Marcus announced that it was the last trip with Richard Foster as train manager since the role disappears since no required for future trips which will be DBS.
He thanked him for his work, authoritative voice and laugher. Richard will still appear as a steward. Thanks to Richard for his professional manner and his laugher over the years I have been travelling with Steam Dreams.

 

Well the highlight of this trip was to be the Devon banks and that was disappointing.
But this just re-focusses the min d an an outstanding run from Tornado. An earlier post quotes the Exeter - Woodborough time but this included a very slow bit at Heywood Road Jn (tsr I think) so I offer this one. I admit my timing skills are not great but so I am prepared to be corrected but Exeter St D to Fairwood Jn 76 miles in about 70 mins including Whiteball and Bruton banks with FOURTEEN bogies. Whether I am right or not Tornado was superb all day and didn't appear seriously extended at any time. And I couldn't see anything wrong with the coaching stock either. And the final sprint, main line all the way, Reading - Paddn was great. All the delays, and there were several, were down to late running service trains. I started the day with little expectation and finished with a big smile on my face. Thanks to all concerned.

 

Some shots along the Devon coast:

60163 Tordado on the Devon Coast - YouTube

 

Looks like Tornado put on a good show for the passengers even though she had box with her. The way I looked at this trip was that the newest loco assists the oldest; the diesel usually assists the old steam loco. In this case with 60163 being the newest loco I guess she was assisting the Class 66 over the Devon banks!


With regard to the earlier comments on here about the Heating on the train I can say that we didn't have any in our carriage for the Help For Heroes run. Also one of the toilets didn't work. I guess they used the same stock for yesterdays run and the same carriage was without heating again.

 

Temperatures as they were yesterday & today, mid/high teens, I don't think you need heating.

 

Yeah but not early morning/late evening. This is still March you know.

 

In coach M ( last on the way out and first behind support on the way back) we no heating outward, but it was working on the way back.

 

Excellent day out - thanks to all at Steam Dreams, the A1 Trust and DB Schenker for their efforts. Having said that I do want to experience double-headed steam over the banks so will have to try to go next year (or maybe on the RTC "Mayflower" later this year).

 

For the record the stock used on 1/03/12 was
35333/5322/5292/5341/1832/13227/3097/3119/1691/3123/3068/35469
and that used on yesterdays train was,
5322/4959/5341/5292/1832/13227/3097/3120/1692/3123/3119/3149/6310/21268.
I make a note of these to calculate the weight of the train.

 

Perfectly sums my day up too.

 

Which was?

 

6136,
Probably 494 plus the passengers so about 537tons

 

just put up some video from the tour at keyhamtrain's Channel - YouTube

 

Keyham, have you thought about putting those clips into one video rather than having 3 seperate video's? Much easier all round.

 

Hello All,

A collection of eleven photographs of 60163 & 66152 hauling "The Cathedrals Express" have been added to Rail Traction Photos website.

Link here;

60163 'TORNADO' & 66152 haul "The Cathedrals Express". Saturday 10th.March 2012. - Rail Traction Photos by Richard Smith