The Cheltenham Flyer

Real Time trains is only a tool, a guide. You have to know how and when to use it and apply some common sense. Like ask yourself "are they really going to leave the Earl at Paddington" If a path disappears from RTT, specially with a strange cryptic message like it did, look for another replacement.

 

Reference has been made to 'The Bristolian', clearly that was very special on the Up journey (I was lucky enough to be on the train) but this was an excellent run both ways. The Down 'Bristolian' was unspectacular whereas today the Down run was particularly good because it is generally ‘against the collar’. Also it is worth noting the trailing load today was much more of a challenge which made the work to Didcot particularly note-worthy.

Many thanks to all at Vintage Trains, FGW, NR and West Coast who put on a supurb trip.

 

Fabulous run, but I have one small gripe. Did they really have to slap that advertising hoarding on the front, it looks like it was made up from a 6 foot fence panel!

 

Well done to Vintage Trains, the West Coast train-crew, the NR/FGW on board team, Swindon Control and last but no means least the signallers - in Gloucester PSB, Swindon PSB, TVSC Didcot, Slough PSB - the people in the signal boxes making and enacting the train routing and regulating decisions, capitalised upon by an ace engine and traincrew.

 

An absolutely stunning ride in both directions - it was a real privilege to be on board. Great driving, firing, planning and execution all round. Well done to VT, FGW and no doubt many more!

 

Just got in, wow what can I say that hasn't been already ?, mile after mile bombing along the mains, only slowing to negotiate major stations, the return even quicker than the fast, I'm sure I had us 55 early at Standish on the return on the timings, I won't say many more words as I doubt I can say it well enough to do it justice, i'll sort my pics tomorrow or later in the week.

I'll just finish by saying a big thankyou to Bob, Alastair, Ben, the VT Team, Ray Churchill & Ray Poole, anyone else from WCRC, NR and FGW for organising such a blistering path in each direction, a day that will live long in the memory, this tour gets the full 10/10.

 

Erm, that's an authentic headboard for the 1930's period ?.

 

Not quite the video I hoped for as, like many others, I missed the up run. Thinking I had time to spare I was sitting in the car checking emails when she roared past me at Iver around 30 minutes early! The video therefore opens at Drayton Park showing the empty stock being turned in preparation for the return leg.
The return is filmed at Circourt Bridge, Denchworth (near Wantage), OK except for the strong wind.



Dave

 

As David says, authentic 1930s Headboard. And one lucky passenger is now the proud owner of it, having won it in a raffle held on board.

 

Is it covered in flies?

 

Wouldn't you be if you had just done a couple of hundred miles at 75mph stuck on a smokebox door?
Anyway the flies will prove it's the real McCoy.

 

Great to see a clip of the Earl at speed to day - what a roar - a nice contrast to my own clip on Sapperton this morning.

 

Your clip at Sapperton was excellent.
Dave

 

many thanks for the updates from on board the train, certainly helped me get to my location at sapperton on the return just that bit earlier than I had planned haha

 

I think the term - insert superlative here is justified - I'll start with Wow – Just…WOW!


This was everything that the trip promised to be…and then some!

I think the detailed timings available from RTT show the full story:

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54733/2013/05/11/advanced

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/O85296/2013/05/11/advanced

At this late hour I will only add it was a privilege to have been aboard this train and to have had the experience.

I’ll write something more comprehensive in the morning - but a massive thanks to everyone who played a part in making this a tour a tour to a remember.

 

One thing I'd love to know is how do you get the buffers like that ?, I can imagine the "GWR" could be done by hand, but how on earth did you imprint the coat of arms onto the buffer ?.

 

Looking elsewhere on the forum, it's a good job you were not on the Duchess yesterday!.

 

An original GWR headboard as seen at Swindon museum. <BJ>
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cheltenham_Flyer_Swindon_museum.jpg