"The Atlantic Coast Express" Sunday 7th.April 2013.

Oh dear! I suppose that's the safe option, but not nearly so much fun.

I've been thinking about the options, and having worked this out before seeing the above, I'll post it anyway, just for my own satisfaction.

Steam from Yeovil on the return does look quite possible, provided Tangmere can run round her support coach and a light-engine (45mph) path to Yeovil can be found soon after arrival at Exeter. The provisional times currently show no stop at Yeovil, but there's a 38 min pathing stop at Gillingham. So long as Tangers is ready to go and the signalman and shunters are slick, a loco change could be done in 10 mins and they'd make the booked crossing at Gillingham.

 

Well thats a new one! Would agree with you,can't see any other possible reason.

 

Yes 1Z82 0937 Waterloo to Exeter 1534 shown as 420 tons so maybe no DL on the back as DL shown LE from Waterloo after 1Z82 leaves, but 1Z84 1738 Exeter to Waterloo (2322) reversing at Laverstock S Jct 2128/2132 shown as 455 tons so I guess DL on the back all the way to Laverstock but not sure where 34067 will be attached. Its got to be serviced and turned and I guess this will be at Yeovil, so where will Tangmere be attached , if indeed it is? No booked stop shown at Yevil but a long time at Gillingham and Salisbury.

Glad I didnt book this. Dont often book on RTC anyway due to their bad 'track' record. On the Marylebone non stop instead.

Don

Don

 

I guess that the servicing will be done in Riverside Yard at Exeter.

JC

 

Tangers likely to be attached to the rear all the way from Exeter. The turning is on Laverstock triangle - no point reversing there otherwise. No time to add / detach a loco at Laverstock, either. The 35 tons difference between the 2 trains is not enough to account for an extra DL on the return. Looks more like a discrepancy in the number of coaches - possibly a data-entry error? Not every attribute of the train will have been updated in the computer system with the change of locos and the reversal at Laverstock.

The extra 35 tons on the return is probably accounted for by having both Tangmere's support coach and Sir Lamiel's on the train from Exeter St. David's to Central - under the original plans.

 

The tonnages in RTT seem a little unreliable. The weight for the Wansbeck last week appeared on one set at 1760 tons....!

 

He didn't fancy opening the regulator till it hit 40mph in December.....hopefully a different driver on Sunday.

 

UKsteam times have also been updated with the reverse at Laverstock.

 

What diesels do WCRC have at Southall atm,is 47245 there?

 

Plus 4 hours of box haulage. The question is that why wasn't the "homework" done before 777 was considered for the trip?
I would imagine RYTC's phonelines are red hot with cancellation requests at the moment, I would be first in the queue if I was booked on it.

 

Is there any scope for trimming some time off the Exeter Salisbury section now it us diesel hauled? I could do with an earlier arrival at Waterloo

 

I imagine the homework was done and a provisional 'yes' given before booking 777. Then, as has happened countless times over the last few years, Notwork Fail announce they have got it wrong less than a week before the train is due to run.

 

Maybe not, because as someone pointed out, the majority of passengers are probably blissfully unware of the change of plan - not everyone reads sites like this. I would try cancelling but I actually persuaded the wife to come with me on this one and she says she's still looking forward to it!

 

No I'm not getting up either for that, it is nothing like what was advertised. The event should have been postponed until it could have been sorted out properly without any diesel involvement.

 

Agreed, I wouldn't want to be A steward on the train on Sunday, can see them getting alot of flak even though its not there fault.

 

Even worse then, turn up on the day & bang! One steam loco & a box & too late to do anything about it. Whether RYTC had informed intending passengers in advance I don't know. Doubt it due to the given timescale.

 

As a thought, not sure of the legalities of this under any sales/descripton law as it is not an "on the day incident" like 48151 the other day..

 

RTC have added a footnote to their very out of date web page for the Ace telling passengers about the changes. Surely an email would reach more customers.