Cathedrals Express 60163 Paddington - Plymouth 9 March 2013

This appears to be the first of NINE possible steam turns through READING over EIGHTEEN days before the station closes to
steam traffic for more redevelopment (which is going brilliantly may I say) Its TORNADO preceding Tangmere just under one hour later. With the steam pool of 60163; 34067; 35028; 70000; its quite a range for Reading station to accomodate and must be close to the number in such a short time that I can remember. Lets hope they are all a great success. ps. TWELVE HOURS in the care of Tornado tomorrow !! Good luck crew.

 

I'm looking forward to it. Out of interest when and what was the last loco to go London-Plymouth and return without a pilot over the banks?

 

VERY good question....I'll leave it to the chaps with good knowledge there !!!

 

I assume at that time it would of been a King on load 10/11 if no pilot was added at Newton Abbot ?.

 

I am very confident in saying that NO steam locomotive has ever gone from Paddington to Plymouth and back in one day without assistance over the Devon banks in both directions. And I think you go back through GWR history too to confirm that fact.

The Cornish Riviera in the 50's (up to 1958 when the Warships took over) slipped coaches on the way down from Paddington and therefore was able to continue to Plymouth without a pilot from Newton Abbot. But that engine went on Laira MPD and that is where is stayed. It certainly never came back to London the same day. The up Cornish Riviera WAS always piloted from Plymouth due to weight of train.

So, let us brace ourselves for a piece of railway history. Just wish I had booked on it now!!!

Nick

 

Sounds about tight, BigAl. Just had a look at Wikipedia (where else) where a lot of people contribute their info. Cornish Riviera Express - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia One piece that sounds very interesting is talking about 1946/7 where the Riviera was cancelled for a while because of 'shortage of coal'. Thats one we don't hear of now !! Hope everyone on it tomorrow enjoys the day; promises to be some experience. And watch out for the new station overbridge at Reading. IT IS MASSIVE !!

 

How did it happen the down train was unassisted but the up train was ?, only thing I can think of is Hemerdon had a different load limit then as opposed to a general limit for the whole Newton Abbot - Plymouth section we have today.

 

Think we need some experts on here. Maybe if I'd kept all my Railway Mags from years ago, they could have helped !! Interesting what you say though, Nick, my bit about Wikipedia was actually being looked up and written before but posted after yours !! Hope you didn't think I was trying to contradict you, its just the timing on posting here. Just shows though how we rely on individuals updating Wiki to give us ALL the facts. AND, we expect some good vids tomorrow, Nick, not sure that I can make the early one ! Pete

 

Departed platform 1 on time

 

In and out of Reading on time

 

On towards Newbury for the water stop , and then the non-stop run of 1hr 40mins to Taunton.

 

On time Westbury

 

4 early arrival at Taunton for water

 

Finally left Taunton 16 down - don't know why.

 

Didn't stop at Tivvy loop so assume Taunton was the pathing stop.

 

dont forget you can watch this passing our webcam at dawlish log in to RailCam - Railway Live Streaming

 

And here it is ripping through Maidenhead, the driver clinging onto he whistle from the sound of it. Tangmere follows, smokily.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8f-Wkv0VI8

 

Arrived Plymouth 6 early.