The Mayflower - 15th September 2012

Anyone know what's towing Bittern over the banks now 5029 won't be ready until later in the year ?.

 

Could be Olly/Britannia, and btw I like the way you say "tow".

 

Forget the A4. It's a shame it's not Olly and Britannia. <BJ>

 

If it's anything coming off Barton Hill then it will need light engine paths to and from Taunton and be back in position for it's rostered turn on Sunday (Torbay Express/Royal Duchy)

Only other realistic option is probably 34067 unless it's otherwise engaged that weekend.

Too right, the gunshot blast off that pair would be comparable to some Swindon types.

 

Royal Duchy thread says that 70013 is due to work the RD on Sunday 16th so it may make sense to use it.

 

According to UK Steam Info

THE MAYFLOWER
London Paddington-Plymouth [wcrc]
60019/TBA: Paddington-Newbury-Taunton and Taunton-Newbury-Paddington
70000+60019: Taunton-Plymouth-Taunton

and on the following day :

THE TORBAY EXPRESS [Times]
Bristol-Kingswear (EH01) [dbs]
60019 (70000): Bristol-Weston-Exeter-Kingswear and return

 

Unless Bitterns being unbolted somewhere on the return, I highly doubt it will be on the Torbay the next day as it won't arrive back at Padd till very late Sat night, needs to go to Southall to turn and service, run light back to Bristol, and take on more Coal and Water, all between the Mayflower arriving at Padd and the Torbay ECS due to be moved, just can't see it.

 

The understanding I have is that the A4 was booked for this train on the assumption it would be using its second tender as in previous years. This is the only way the steam itinerary in the timings proposed can be achieved. However as its second tender is, as I understand, currently unserviceable there must be some doubt if the A4 will be used at all.

 

Could the Water Carrier that WCRC/Vintage Trains use, be used given it's a WCRC operation, or is 4464's second tender water connection different to that used on the GUV ?, as 6:05 says it's next to impossible for the itinery to work in it's current spec without extra water being carried on the Padd - Taunton - Padd legs, only other loco with remotely the range of 4464 in double tender mode I'd of though is 5043 with the afformentioned GUV.

 

It does say 60019/TBA on Uksteam so may not be Bittern at all...

 

From the RTC website "Our train will be hauled from London to Taunton and back by 34067 "Tangmere". In addition, our train will be ‘double-headed’ between Taunton and Plymouth by 70000 "Britannia" and 60019 “Bittern"

 

Departs Euston 6:46, arrives Plymouth 13:03, departs 16:11, arrives Paddington 22:07

 

Least a solution has been found that has steam all the way, Im suprised how reasonable the timings appear to be too considering 34067 will probably need at least an additional water stop each way.

 

Full times are now available at uksteam.info t0915a.htm

 

3 steam locos each way! some people who booked on this must be very lucky!

 

Is't DB the operater of 70000 ?

 

Both DB and WCRC will operate it, same as 4464.

 

Motive power arrangments have been changed, with Tangmere now doing Euston-Taunton, and then returning engine and coach to Bristol after turning on the WSR Norton triangle. Bittern and Britannia will move together from Bristol to Taunton, and them haul the train from Taunton to Plymouth and back with Bittern leading on the return. Bittern comes off at Taunton and runs light engine to Bristol, while Britannia hauls the train from Taunton to Paddington. Slightly revised times including the various loco moves are at www.uksteam.info t0915a.htm

David

 

Through Twyford more or less on time and looking fabulous on a crisp autumn day. Pity it wasn't a Castle.

 

34067 gets away from Slough this morning at the rather inaccessible (for pedestrians) Horlicks bridge: