Steam Dreams Banbury - Swanage 19th April 2012

Left Swanage 17.54

 

Looks likely to be about 18.00.

 

Reported departed Swanage at 17.53

 

Thanks.

 

Over top of Parkstone Bank at 1903 after a superb climb with 13 on. Heard her from a long way away - Thanks to Wayne and crew for one of the best climbs of the bank that I have seen in past couple of years and have seen a few! Superb! DH

 

I presume that Bittern will return to Southall with the stock and not run to Tyseley. Can anyone confirm this?

 

I can't for the life of me think what the purpose of Bittern going to Tyseley would be, I imagine that path was scrubbed the moment 6201 was subbed.

 

Especially as it needs to be at Kings Cross on Saturday morning for the first leg of the Great Britain

 

Passed me just north of winchester at 20:25, 45 mins down. So would expect that it won't be back into Banbury untill at least 23:15!!. That is going to be on hell of a long day for the support crew!.

 

She plodded through Tilehurst about 45 down Sounded good though - listen below.

Audioboo: A4 Bittern passing through Tilehurst Audioboo / A4 Bittern passing through Tilehurst #a4 #steam #train

 

Yes I know that but stranger things have happened. I guess as this morning's plans were easily changed so were this evening's.

 

Managed to get to Reading West tonight, train arrived about 9.15pm.
Took some totally rubbish mobile phone shots just to say I had.

 

Out of interest was it on the main or the relief? I was torn between Tilehurst or Reading West tonight, as seen in my previous post I plumped for the latter.

 

At least you ventured out to see her !!!! Not many photos on here today; thought we might have seen some tender first efforts (although probably not too flattering for an A4 on a passenger !! )

 

Scheduled stop at Pangbourne so would have to be the Relief.

 

Picture here from a post by Neildimmer earlier.
Preserved A4 Locos - Railway-Photography's Photos | SmugMug
Should be the first picture that loads.

 

I was out for it! Good performance by 4464, all things considered, just a shame about the slip up on the climb to Norden... did the Swanage Railway not have a back up plan, for example 33012 ready at Norden to assist if required on the wet and rusty rails?

Any way, here is my video from the day, taken at Ashurst (2 locations), Shawford and Allbrook Jc.

4464 - The Cathedrals Express to Swanage 19-04-2012 - YouTube

James at SVN

www.steamvideos.net

 

Back Banbury @ 23.25

 

Ron & i would like to say a big thank-you to Marcus and Graham and the team of steam dreams for pulling this out of the fire with only hours to the run, also a big thank-you to the crew of bitten and the lads at D.B.S. and network railway for there last min help with pathing ect it was a great day;

all the best
Jane & Ron Smith;x

 

I was out!! My video is on my YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/NwsNoaaChaser

Was gutted 6201 failed, haven't seen her in ages!

Locations in this video are Ashurst (x2 locations) and Shawford (2 locations)

James at SVN

www.steamvideos.net