'The Royal Duchy' 2013

Agreed. Very competant camera work.

£1000 is still about the price for a Vision 5, but it would be overkill for the cameras most of us use these days. Even a Sony EX3 or Canon XF300 is fine on a Vision 3 or the new Vision Blue, and cameras like the lovely little Panasonic TM900, which I know several people around here use, would be too light for any of the Vision heads. I'm not sure what the best bet for such a camera is at the moment - Manfrotto heads don't quite have the silky smoothness of a Vinten or a Sachtler. Good tripods, though, are heavy. As I lugged my Vision 3 and XH-A1 over the hills near Dartmouth yesterday, I promised myself that my next camera will be smaller and lighter, and so will the tripod!

But I digress...

 

I am given to understand that yesterday was the first time since the 1950's that two down steam hauled expresses passed Newton Abbot non stop within a ten minute spell of each other (34046 to Kingswear and 70013 to Plymouth) - over 50 years! My brother was there yesterday to witness it too. Forget Dawlish and the sea wall as this was clearly the place to be. I just hope someone was hand to film it and post on You Tube.

Yes, dozens of steam passenger trains in the fifties passed Newton Abbot on any one day heading west but only the Cornish Riviera when it used to slip coaches en-route from Paddington would not stop for assistance, as the rest did. When slip coaches ceased, a banker was almost always attached from Newton Abbot to Plymouth, I believe.

Seems like the West Country was easing off through the station as the road in readiness for the Torbay branch whereas the Brit was going "hammer and tongs".

 

Looking at RTT, I see Ollie left Par on time, made up 17 mins to Liskeard and arrived at Plymouth 25 early. She left still 20 mins early and made up another 5 mins on the schedule to Dainton. Looks like quite brisk run!

 

Yes, thank goodness for RTT. I arrived at Dainton for the return run before she should have left Plymouth, but when I checked RTT she had passed Ivybridge. Mind you, I heard her all the way from Totnes so there was no chance of me not being ready.

 

Thank you for your kind comments on my video. Regarding panning and zooming, I try and keep zooming to a minimum, especially on going away shots as I find this very difficult to get right.

 

I'm sure you know that old adage re panning etc Keith.

Try and stand with your feet in the position you want to be at the end of the pan. That keeps your balance right for doing such as further zooms and stops any shaking due to being out of balance. It also means you have to make sure doing that still leaves you comfortable for the approach shot as of course there is a risk of totally messing that up! That's why I enjoyed using the Vinten 5 so much as it was a very sturdy tripod, (I think they might be lighter now), and properly set up allowed you to do things like that. I did carry that and a pretty heavy camera up the Brocken a few times, including in winter, when filming, "Storming the Brocken". Damned hard work.

Anyway, back to topic. In view of the times reported above it would be interesting to hear some of the details of Ollies running if anyone here was on board.

 

My vid from Dainton on the return is now online at the link below,the Brit could be heard right from when it was opened up at Totnes and the best of the sound (2 mins of approach) is in the vid,so you will need to turn up the volume at first.



Enjoy.

Regards,
Mark

 

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A few details:
Outward: 54 mph over Flax Bourton; MP139-Cogload - 79/80/83; Whiteball in 54.4 in 11 mins 40 secs; Tiverton Parkway 82; Exminster 77; through Newton Abbot at only 46; Stoneycombe 59; Dainton Tunnel 36;, Totnes 40; Rattery 26; Wrangton 39. St Germans 47; Slowest on 1:74 41; Doublebois 53; Treverrin Tunnel 46.

Return: Treverrin Tunnel 32; Bodmin Parkway 48; Doublebois 44; Bottom of Hemerdon 63; Summit 28; Totnes 62; Dainton Tunnel 35.6; Newton Abbot 62 then they stuck us behind the Paignton - Exmouth Stopper!! Doing 65 at Cullompton then looped in Tiverton to let late running London through. Whiteball Summit 46; Cogload - Worle Jn 75+ all the way. Final flourish up the bank to Flax Bourton at 58. One h*** of a day.

 

Full vid from Sunday now on at:

Shots:St Germans,Bodmin (return),Dainton,Tiverton and Bridgwater



Cheers,
Mark

 

An excellent run on Sunday, good quality coal, locomotive in tip-top condition, excellent regulation on the outward journey, not so good on the return.

My photos ......... http://www.flickr.com/photos/45861517@N05/sets/72157635480963363/

 

The 5z36 Southall to Bristol ECS for the final Duchy Express comprised of a green Mk. 2 (at the front) and 7 maroons.
A possible load of 8 + support coach tomorrow? <BJ>

 

Tickets say 7 + Support.

 

Load 9 today for the Devon and Cornwall banks. Green support coach and green Mk. 2 behind Braunton heading west. <BJ>

 

Anyone know why fgw are down as operating dutchy from Plymouth?



Sent from my windows phone using Tapatalk

 

I see what you mean. Very strange. <BJ>

127 47 Plymouth
Operated by First Great Western (GW) from here.

 

51mph at Whiteball tunnel this morning, superb from Braunton.

 

Havjng never seen a rebuilt westcountry before, I must say she is quite a lady...quiet and powerful!

Apologies for the poor photo, can't operate my proper camera while using crutches! - here is 34046 just as she pulled into par...

 

As stated in a Winkworth book. A merchant navy on a railtour reached Taunton from the west, and the crew asked "what banks?"


It is very pleasing to see '46 working well.

 

Here's a short clip taken on the return on the lower part of Hemerdon Bank.

 

55mph into Whiteball tunnel on the return.