The Christmas Cheshireman 30/11/2013

Anyone know how this one's going? No report since Gobowen at 18.42 on RTT, where she's 67 late, ie 3 down from leaving Chester.

Update - RTT just updated for Shrews, so train ok, but updates running an hour late!

 

Cracking shots

 

Reported on gen groups that Ollie is 2 hours+ late at Shrewsbury due to signalling failure at said location.

 

Cracking shots
H

 

Big loads equal profit except that Vintage Trains seem to manage with loads manageable without DL assistance.

A difficult issue but probably only for us steam purists. As I have said before I choose my trips carefully now taking into the time of year, route and tour company.

Not all doom and gloom though. Just look at the schedule for 60019 on 5th December. 67 minutes for 80 miles Newcastle to York, finishing with an unbelievable 32 minutes from passing Darlington to stopping at York! Will 90 mph be enough? Wish I was on this

Must just hope that the future brings this sort if schedule for 35028 as it is quite as capable as the A4

Gricerdon (living in hope)

 

heading towards Shrewsbury this morning...

 

My video of Oliver Cromwell from today, seen at Severn Tunnel Junction, Llanvihangel Crucorney, and Moreton on Lugg.

 

Here are my efforts at Llanfihangel and Dinmore, plus the weird pub sign at Dinmore (RailwayInn) - if NRM take up this livery suggestion on this sign then the steam fraternity really would be in uproar
Thanks, as always, to all who organised, worked and paid to travel on today's train.

 

To be fair, it's probably in the steam charter movements interests as a whole to have a period without anymore mishaps, without tempting fate after two issues within a week, in November adhesion matters more than tractive effort.

 

Also arrived and departed Crewe 1hr late

 

148 down at Craven Arms now due BTM 00.05.

 

wise words

 

If 60019 manages 32 mins that will be some performance, given the 90 mph limit .........however.......
Not all class 8s are equal, or rather identical in their performance characteristics. So for South Devon you would choose a King but for easy 90 mph running with 20 to 30 mph in hand you would choose an A4. At higher speeds the power saving nature of the A4 holds significant advantages.
Part of the problem that the movement faces is the current pool of engines generally get extended beyond their capability envelope during the time of year when rail conditions are their most difficult. Worse, in the face of delays theses machines lack the capacity, in part compounded by the 60 pr 75 mph limit, to recover time swiftly enough overcome the impact of these delays. The only help offered can be the slack overall schedule. Put simply, when conditions are poor they lack the ability to deal with the loads places behind them. Something to be said for reducing the loadings during the Autumn and Winter. Unless the locomotive is peculiarly capable, then the modest VT loadings are well worth considering. Might help to maintain better relationships with the Authorities too.

 

reported "37 now on the front"

 

Passing Beeston Castle this afternoon
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bantam61668/11139094564/in/photostream

 

Ouch, least it's no fault of Ollie or her train.

 

Wonder if all the hanging about at Shrews has impacted water or coal levels? Or just an attempt to get everyone home today? Hope everyone gets home ok - assume connections at BTM a bit limited around midnight vs 21.45 as per original timings.

 

News from a passenger on the train. <BJ>

''Sitting at Shrewsbury still. Around 40 mins after arriving. Apparently driver has walked 1/4 of a mile to signal box or something to find out why signal is failing to go green. Around 1hr 45 late now heading back to Bristol''.