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

Realtime Trains Just a reminder there is a rail tour taking place now.

 

Its really sad whats happen with this tour, but I do hope RTC reconsider doing this tour again sometime in September or October. Tangmere looks the part today all she needs is being allowed to work!, however the reason for the precaution is understandable. A rerun would be great with the same plan or even 35028 wearing all the regalia would be fantastic but thats A long shot I guess id settle for A rerun of the same RTC hope your listening.

 

Had a nice morning seeing 34067 and the ACE - as many have said, she really looked the part with the headboard, discs and reporting numbers. I seem to recall back in 2009, very rarely did I see discs or headboards on 34067 - although only a small detail, it really makes a difference in my opinion!

Here is the link to my video, captured at Woking and Andover: 34067 - The Atlantic Coast Express 07-04-13 - YouTube

I hope those on board today had a good day, even if 34067 was being pushed around a bit!

James at SVN

 

Can't say what regalia it will be carrying but 35028 is booked to do this run on 30 June for Steam Dreams. Return is via Whiteball,Castle Cary(reverse) & Yeovil J(reverse).

 

They are running it again on the 9th July. Currently advertised as 34067 out and 30777 back. I wonder what will haul the return? 34046 is not available since it is on a Cath. Exp. to Swanage.

 

While I agree that we shouldn't be over-zealous about correcting other posters' grammar, this is a written medium, where the written word is the only way to get our messages across. If you don't want your message to be obscured by the medium you use then you have to make the best use you can of that medium. It's like taking a photo without worrying about exposure or focus, or shooting a wobbly video where all you can hear is something that's nothing to do with the picture. Of course, having something interesting to say is the most important thing, but saying it well is necessary too.

However, we digress...

 

Looks like it will have to be something not of Southern origin unless 35028 can be secured.

Anyone know whats happening with 35027's overhaul ?, seems to of gone off the radar somewhat.

 

Almost the same without the bank out of Exeter but that's nitpicking .

 

Just seen a video on youtube showing a lineside fire at Seaton Jct, was there any disruption caused?

Chris

 

Well it is drivel. If someone can't tell the difference between a 57 idling and a 57 "screaming" and "doing all the work" then I have to question the value of their contributions.

As to the standard of language, fair enough if it's not seen as important. I just take those postings less seriously, as I suspect do most others.

 

I don't care what you think it is, might be drivel to you. As well as an English teacher, you are a class 57 expert as well?

 

Just got back from the tour and the diesel driver was told he HAD TO PUSH ON ALL MILD AND MAJOR CLIMBS AND GET AWAYS FROM STATION STOPS. The driver of Tangmere was told, on the other hand, that he must not create sparks and therefore drive his engine as "gently" as possible. And that's what happened. As for Honiton bank, the 57 was not giving a slight push it was doing all of the work for the reasons stated.

One little teaser though, and it made my day, the diesel failed after Salisbury and Tangmere was left to climb Semley bank on its own! More of this extraordinary event tomorrow. Time now for a hot shower to get the soot off and bed!

Nick

 

Ok, it wasn't screaming, that was a bad case of over dramatics, but I can tell the difference between a 57 idling and a 57 working, just like I can tell the difference between a Tangmere working and a Tangmere coasting, and coasting it was. Having seen videos of various departures, its clear that the 57 was doing most of the work. You may well like shooting down the messenger, but there is no point being in denial.


Me, I take postings less seriously, and have to question their value when they are more concerned about grammar, points scoring and cheap jibes than content.

(quite happy to sarcasm, taking the p, and unjustifiable insults tho )

 

Aha! That may explain, then, why, in my last video of this weekend, Tangmere appears to be putting in more of an effort

Tangmere, on its last few miles of the run, at West Byfleet, 22:50 hours. More or less bang on time.

[video=youtube;gpmNTxKFiug]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpmNTxKFiug[/video]

 

If that is the case and to me the 57 sounded very quiet so I can belive it, that makes the run up to Waterloo very interesting, the Basingstoke-Woking section was very entertaining unlike Honiton.

 

Did the 57 fail on the return journey after Salisbury? In that case, I expect it was Porton Bank that Tangmere was left to work on its own. Semley is between Gillingham and Tisbury. It's a sharp pull from Gillingham, about 1 in 100 IIRC.

 

Thanks for that Nick. Started my morning well. After all the discussion points we have endured and contributed, with sparks this weekend causing havoc, we saw the decision was made to ensure this trip did not follow the trend by providing substantial diesel assistance. Yes, pluses and minuses , but then the blxxxy DIESEL FAILS. Sods law but i really had to laugh at that Nick. What CAN you do eh ! Caption for postcard, Thomas style.. ' right, its MY train, I'll get us home !! ' (Tangmere) Just luv it Pete

 

I was not aware that the diesel had failed. It did seem to be struggling at times though - especially on the climb out of Sherborne. However it was my impression that on the return from Salisbury with 34067 leading that 34067 was working harder than earlier in the day. The climb up Porton was the first time I'd heard any real Bulleid chatter all day. It was a pretty spirited run from Salisbury to Woking where I left the train. As it left Woking Tangmere appeared to be doing the work and the diesel seemed to be idling.

 

a few photos from exeter of this tour at 34067 ace 7-4-13 - keyhamtrain railway photography hope you like

 

Sorry but there's no excuse for poor grammar or spelling; most, if not all, of us using this site grew up in the 1950s and 60s when these were regarded as important and were properly taught at school. I've lost count of the number of times I've seen "its" and "it's" confused on websites which otherwise are professionally produced.

Back to the subject....the recent lineside fires will be ammunition for the ORR and its recent consultation on raising the "cap" on insurance payouts. The real issue is the growth of lineside vegetation since 1968, which Network Rail has inherited, but attempts to clear it often attract opposition from environmental groups. The risk of fire was evidently the reason for the 57 behind "Tangmere" doing a lot of the work, after the problems with the 8F on the Scarborough line last week and fires started by 5043 on Saturday.[FONT=arial, sans-serif]
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The charter train business is a marginal activity which attracts interest as it is an unsubsidised part of the railway, and which makes a significant contribution to the local economy of towns and cities like York, Carlisle and Scarborough. But, given the size of Network Rail's debt, the amount it has to pay for delays caused by charter trains is a drop in the ocean.