Cathedrals Ex; Victoria-Bristol; 60163 Tornado 29 November 2012

Looking to later this week, this seems to be a different route outward to usual and there is near on 6 hours behind Tornado and then 4 hours return. What a wait outside Reading though with 45 minutes scheduled ! Now I know it's difficult to get through Reading but 45 minutes ???? Saw Clan line waiting there recently but that was for about 12 minutes. Time for a crew brew perhaps. Doesn't look as though passenger pick up at Reading as she stops at Wokingham for that. Just needs a path ?? Maybe we can have a bright day different to yesterday so that we can appreciate even more her new livery.

 

The uksteam timings give an arrival time in Bristol of just 35 mins before sunset. <BJ>

 

The provisional timings given by 'uksteam' have now been confirmed by Steam Dreams (apart from Newbury arr 13:28). <BJ>

 

National Rail Enquiries showing services delayed or cancelled through Bath due to flooding.

 

Checked at 09:15 and thankfully nothing mentioned. Also local BBC news only mentioned a points problem at Patchway, Bristol which does not effect today's steam charter. <BJ>

Plymouth - Exeter - Taunton/Bristol Temple Meads Flooding causing disruption to services in south west England on Thursday 29 November

Oxford Delays between Oxford and Reading until further notice

Slough Delays between Reading and London Paddington until further notice

Bristol Parkway - Severn Tunnel Junction Delays between Bristol Parkway and Seven Tunnel Junction until further notice

 

That's good. There was something on FGW's Twitter saying about the flooding, and NRES live departures had every train delayed or cancelled around 8am. Glad it's sorted now.

 

Quite unusual to have an arrival time in Bristol as late as this. The return will be completely in the dark unfortunately. Hope they've got the heating sorted out as temperatures are set to plunge overnight tonight.

 

Through Dorking West a few minutes down at 11.13. It was cloudy when it was due through, now full sun!

 

Very late passing Buckland (nearly 20 minutes) and just coasting uphill. Something was clearly amiss. Don't see how it could only be a "few' minutes late at Dorking West!

 

Passing Battersea Power Station pic below. I had the perfect (at least in my mind!) bridge shot lined up...and then something else stopped right in the middle, awaiting a platform at Victoria. Again, this is not the greatest of images but thought it was worth sharing - while hoping for better luck next time!

Battersea Steam | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

It was about 13 late through Dorking West, but could be heard slipping further up the line. 20 mins late is practically on time for charters!

 

Indeed! I was rather amused when I saw "nearly 20 minutes" described as "very late".

 

Around 12mins late just before New Junction Reading, Due to the long stop there would think it would leave there on time !

 

12.56 away from Reading New Junc.

 

I can think of some modern traction tours I did in the 70s and 80s when 20 minutes last would have been considered very early.

 

Report of broken down train between Bath Spa and Temple Meads on @FGW twitter feed in the last few minutes. Delays of up to 30 mins, (single line working in operation presumably). Hopefully this will be cleared by 15:00

 

Away from Bath 15.22, sounding good. Not my intended spot but NR and FGW managed to screw my plans up!

 

Good to hear that. Doesn't sound like it was affected by the earlier disruption !

 

Saw her out of Reading East Junction this morning , when I reckon from a distance there was plenty of slipping up the incline. Silly place for me to stand I suppose, on the existing station overbridge but plenty of others watching and a real headturner for waiting passengers. Took video, but its mostly coaches ! Other trains in platforms; she used the through road.

 

A couple of video screenshots from Crofton earlier this afternoon, looking forward to seeing her racing through Swindon later