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VT- Cornishman Doubleheader

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by mike1522, Apr 15, 2013.

  1. saltydog

    saltydog Part of the furniture

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    Why does every steam tour have to be a "challenge" to use your word?
    5043 has already proved it's self over the Devon speed bumps and doesn't need to do it every year. Tyseley is well known for not overloading it's trains simply because it cuts down on maintenance costs in the long run. Why put a very heavy load on to a train with the chance that something may go wrong just to prove a point?
    I met up with a good few of the regulars yesterday and they seemed to be quite happy with the day out they had.
    Having read your post I take it that you wouldn't be too happy with Tyseley using 5049 & 6233 on the Cumbrian Conqueror either simply because it's too much power for the effort needed to get over Shap without 20 odd coaches on and it wouldn't be a "challenge", after all neither engine has anything to prove in the Northern Hills.
    IMO steam tours are about providing a day out with a bit of style (compared to today's modern railway) with now and again something special and unexpected thrown in to add a bit of spice. Steam tours aren't and should never be about some sort of "look how hard we" are competition.
     
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  2. BristleGWR

    BristleGWR Member

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    Robbo and Martin Perry like this.
  3. ashtav0

    ashtav0 New Member

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    I'm entitled to my opinion and don't overload there engines didn't think it would be long till someone quoted me that and I have already answered to that, I did say I was comparing to last years thril ride I haven't said it wasn't a good day just disappointing compared to last year. The rest of what your saying is not really important to me I pay to hear the engine what you pay for is up to you. And 5043 + 46233 is a lot different to yesterday it's about power they clearly state that in there advertising and its unusual combination I wouldn't go on that tour looking for a challenge I'd go on it simply for the views and usualness of the pairing.
     
  4. Dean Morris

    Dean Morris New Member

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    Well next time we will thrash the ******** off the loco,s set fire to the lineside nacker the loco,s then in 2014 you can ride behind 47773 over the devon banks.
     
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  5. david1984

    david1984 Resident of Nat Pres

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    If yesterdays run was anything like the 2010 one (can't say I've followed it too closely), then it could be the timings demanded a lighter load with the 60MPH limit on the Hall, the previous one was very tightly timed and the loco's entered Whiteball Tunnel westbound at pretty much 60 on that occasion, 5043 solo of course has 15MPH leeway and Taunton - Exeter is a section with a very high linespeed unlike west of Exeter.

    Might be the price you have to pay if you want a Hall west of Taunton.
     
  6. cg

    cg Well-Known Member

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  7. ashtav0

    ashtav0 New Member

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    Was you on the train yesterday and year before?, and with only 3 messages why would I care what you say. So your saying with the equivalent of around 58,000 Lbf 12 coaches would be trashing the locomotives would it?. Did you see the train yesterday I hope you did with such aggressive language.
     
  8. ashtav0

    ashtav0 New Member

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    That maybe the reason indeed and thanks for coming up with a reasonable answer, this is properly the case at least I know for next time thanks David.
     
  9. burnettsj

    burnettsj Member

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    I suspect Dean was a bit more active than just seeing the train
     
  10. campainr

    campainr Well-Known Member

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    Number of messages on this forum is not a measure of how qualified someone is to make a comment on a particular subject and I'm sure Mr Morris would agree......
     
  11. ashtav0

    ashtav0 New Member

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    Maybe not but did he need to use such language in his comment anyways getting boring now i said my piece and rest my case.
     
  12. ashtav0

    ashtav0 New Member

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    As I have been made aware of indeed but have nothing more to say on this matter.
     
  13. KristianGWR

    KristianGWR Member

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    My footage from The 'Not Quite' Cornishman with 4965 & 5043, seen at Beam Bridge, Dainton, Hemerdon and Burlescombe. Also featured are the light engine moves from Tyseley to Bristol and back seen at Shrivenham and Swindon.
     
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  14. david1984

    david1984 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Would anyone know why the light engine moves went via Swindon ?, given the Midlands - Bristol route is open to steam again in both directions now, Pathing would be the obvious suggestion, but is the GWML really less busy than the Cross Country route ?, doesn't make much difference, just a bit of idle curiousity.
     
  15. Bifur01

    Bifur01 Member

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    My footage from The Cornishman.
     
  16. KEYHAMTRAIN

    KEYHAMTRAIN Member

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  17. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    From my standpoint it seems that VT is not afraid of allowing their engines to be pushed but only when it's necessary, to keep or make up time or simply to add a bit of 'flavour' to the trip. On the other hand, neither do they seem to allow their engines to be punished. That seems like the right approach to me. I've been too close in the past to engines (not in the finest of condition, I admit) being taken beyond what was good for them. However, that was when it didn't matter as they were not destined for preservation. I'm sure, for example, that the owners of Clan Line were grateful at the time that the ex-SR crews held back a bit on her once they knew she was going to be saved. The fact that those in preservation are in better nick than when steam was everywhere is irrelevant. The steam/cooling/steam cycle is more punishing now, for example. Let's leave it to those who know best and just be grateful that it was a trip that kept time and gave some decent photo opportunities.
     
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  18. gwr4090

    gwr4090 Part of the furniture

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    Saturday's trip was a bit of a challenge timing-wise for a 60mph restricted train, as the first 44 miles from Bristol to Taunton were scheduled for just 44 minutes - an average of 60mph ! Not surprisingly quite a bit of time was lost on this leg, and I suspect the following down service may have been checked slightly near Tiverton loop. However all the lost time was later recovered before Plymouth. Something similar happened on the return trip, but here an early departure from the water stop at Tiverton loop allowed the train to reach Yatton loop just in time to allow the following service (which should have been in front) to get ahead. Bristol- Taunton-Exeter is certainly a difficult section to path for a 60mph engine. But I thought that the whole operation on Saturday was very competent and professional, without taking any risks with possible lineside fires.

    David
     
  19. donbenn2000

    donbenn2000 New Member

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    Yes Big Al, I remember about Clan Line particularly that week when Frank Burridge got 35003 up to 106 mph and 105 mph on two nights but took it easy with Clan Line, ''only'' getting 95 mph, afer much pleading by the fraternity!

    I wasnt on Saturday's trip as I guessed that with the equivalent of 5 coaches each engine there wouldnt be any great performances. I was on last year's Cornishman though and 5043 didnt get the Dainton record on half regulaor and 20% but I am sure it was still being handled with care.

    Don
     
  20. donbenn2000

    donbenn2000 New Member

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    Some messages have been removed from this thread. Why?

    Don
     

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