Central Wales Explorer April 5th

At least 44871 actually did something coming out of Shrewsbury, I froze in a field just outside Nantwich for 2 hours only to see 47245 doing all the work...

 

Disastrous day for me lineside, but all sympathy to the paying passengers. Video to follow.

 

Not even bothering to upload my shot since all you can hear is the 47 thrashing like hell on the rear up the 1 in 97 and the wind noise canceller failing again...

 

Well i got well and truly bowled ! Video now up.

 

No issue with the diesel on the back as it was expected. Though as you say, it could of been on front and then you would of had a lot of moaning.

 

Looks like sensible use of the diesel to me in the circumstances, the 5 is putting on a good show while the whole train is getting the job recovered as best as possible. But Liam really, You should always check RTT to avoid balls up's like that.

 

Bit unfair by some to be going on about the 47, a single 5 on load 12 stands literally no chance of making it over the Central Wales line on it's own, hardly going to win favour with NR by stalling on a single track route out in the sticks awaiting assistance, all because someone wanted to go for a haulage record.

Riley's reliability is excellent, but no such thing as 100% reliability, whether it's a Black 5 or Pendolino.

 

Awww go on, every shot doesn't have to be perfect.

Oh as someone fallen for the marketing BS?
The only way you'll stop wind noise is with fur and a 'still air' space around the mics.

@LMarsh1987 Brilliant timing with the shed, looks a great first location though.

 

Whose moaning? Not me!
Others and I can make a comment without being accused of moaning surely, or are we all too sensitive and loved up today?

 

Max load for a 5 in BR days was 7 so anyone expecting a 5 to take 12 over is being plain stupid, there is very little level track on this line.
Was going to record this one but on hearing the news decided not to go.
Would be nice to see Galatea back on this route with a 5.

Cheers Dave

 

Don't think I'm tarring all with the same brush, far from it, your comments seem pretty sensible Bill

 

Sad news about 45407, at least the train ran albeit with some Sulzer racket at the rear.........

Video of the train passing a gloomy Leebotwood, running about 90+ minutes late.



Cheers

Alan

 

Come on Ralph, your sensible post must be getting a certain someone riled up for a reply!

Clearly the correct decision was made to use the 47 in these circumstances and as you say, those on the train want to be back home later this evening at around the planned time. Plus 48 will still be doing her bit without doubt!

 

The timing of that coal train could have been worse; just think what it would have been like if it had come 10 seconds later...

 

Ha ha ! The whole tour was jinxed from the start of the day. Though we was well unlucky with the Bowlage, as you barely get two trains a hour on the Welsh Marches line.

 

I seem to recall my comment was that it would have been daft for the diesel not to be used.

Whilst the steamer wasn't working quite as hard as when they haul out of S'Bury unassisted, it was clear the 5 was still working up the hill, and it was probably working just as much as it would had there still been two steamers on the front.

I was slightly surprised to learn it had a rather hearty slip getting away from Knighton, I would have thought the oil burner would have been assisting to get going up to max speed as quickly as possible to claw back time.


PS: I can understand LMarsh1987 getting upset at his view being ruined by the diesel - but in his case it was the one on the coal train, not the one on the back of the charter to weep about! Lol

 

I probably am being a bit harsh on 47's being at the rear of tours, especially since I got shots of several tours with such a formation last summer. The weather has played a major part of me not uploading the shot as I had to change position to shelter behind a large tree when the rain came so the crossing gates are taking up most of the view after the pan. Half wishing I'd abandoned that shot instead of the other one now though on the bank of the Mersey just south of Warrington BQ...

 

Just one of those days where everything went wrong. Will venture back to that location next time.