Cathedrals Express Kingswear :: Thurs 10th April

Here is a great video of 60007 at her best from OVP:


Does anyone know who the footplate crews were? Will they be on the 19th April trip I wonder............

 

Great piece of action video there for a machine that I can only describe as puissant. In fact, all of the photo/video contributions for this trip have been very enjoyable - but what a locomotive!! "Sewing Machine" indeed!! however... does the cab/lining/number look a wee bit out of kilter? don't care really, just pleased as Punch to see "Gresley" performing on the main line again - long may HE reign.

Cheers

Alan

 

Now thats one thing i want to try, a pacing shot. Difficult to do on your own on the M5 (which that looks like that was shot from)

 

Don't even think about it !! <BJ>

 

Some great coverage for this run, thanks for all those who have shared with us.

Have you considered the cost involved in lighting up a spare loco, if they have one, just to do one run to appease the anti diesel brigade.

 

Iconoclasts always get their comeuppance!

 

Just as good as your comments.

The difference being there was a need for assistance over the banks, but probably not a lot of need for a comment like that.

 

As i was driving up the m5 to White ball, I was looking at the railway line along side, pondering that shot, and thinking of all the difficulties, not least the timing, specially on a motorway.

 

I've said this before & I will say it again. You very rarely post on here (that's your choice), however when you do it's only to pick fault in my posts.
Answer to your question, they usually have something to hand. They used a 2-8-0 tank some while back to assist 34067 when it struggled.

 

As I stated, the 25 was there to take the train from Churston to Kingswear to allow 60007 time to turn. The train was also load 12, more than is normally taken along that line, and with an unfamiliar loco. Very wise to use another loco, and certainly not worth lighting up an extra steam loco and paying for an extra crew just for one journey.

 

I doubt it very much. This wasn't just a normal steam train ride out, this was an event. From what I saw on the news the pax had a bit of a party revelling in all the attention.

 

Is that a threat?

 

I don't believe that 'SNG' has ever visited the west country before? Can anyone confirm? <BJ>

 

Oh no; I don't believe in violence. Anyway it would be unnecessary as the Universe is Manichean in character or zero sum if you prefer a contemporary description.
The spirit of Bill Hoole will deal with any modern ignoramuses referring to his old girl as "HE".

 

And it had to dump it's service train at Churston to go and rescue Tangmere, causing internal delays on the Paignton and Dartmouth, presumably irking a few holidaymakers in doing so.

A4's and Bulleids get a banker as they have proved a few times they can't be trusted to make the climb themselves, 6024 seems about the only thing trusted to do it now.

 

As 4472 has easily handled 11 coaches plus Lydham Manor up the 1 in 65 in the early 70s it does rather draw attention to rail head conditions being the governing factor. Better to play safe if you can and it must only be a matter of time before the K4 turns up. The silence from the "copper contingent" will be positively deafening in the aftermath.

 

Passengers all looked plenty perky enough from what I saw at Churston and Kingswear. A LOT of moaning overheard on the Goodrington footpath where the crowd of photographers had drawn quite a crowd of curious holidaymakers too. Most of the negative comments (and I heard plenty while briskly walking through the tourist contingent back to my car so I could follow the tour further down the line) seemed to be from holidaymakers who had asked enthusiasts what was going on, been informed there was a special steam train and then been peeved that they "couldn't see it" because it had a diesel on the front...

Great to see the 25 looking in such good bodywork shape (think it's fair to say that loco's fortunes have improved with the extra involvement from the Devon Diesel Society of late). I had a brilliant day - round trip on the service train with 5239 in the morning, then got to photograph the 25 + A4 double header on Goodrington bank, made it to Churston in time to see the shunt and 60007 turning, then to Kingswear in time to watch D7535 and D2092 doing the shunting, then enjoyed the tour's departure from Kingswear - both 60007 in great form pulling away along the estuary-side, then the welcome extra entertainment of the 25 burbling emphatically into life after Britannia Crossing so it could do banking duties. Lovely combination of traction.