Cathedrals Express - Rugby to Salisbury Thusday 29th May 2014

The 47 on the back is powering at times through South London.

 

Sticking draincocks seems to be an achilles heel on LMS types, I've noticed it on the Duchess a few times too.

 

44932 was through Bridge Road just before Hounslow a few minutes early at 10:52. Sounded like it was doing a fair share of the work, no issues with the drain cocks.

 

44932 Hammers Through Long Buckby. No assistance either.

 

Honestly, I think 44932 is running much better this year compared to 2013 and prior years as well. There used to be steam going out those drain cock very badly. Good to see.

 

Not just from the drain cocks, either. I've just been editing footage of her from last year, and there were steam leaks most times she was out, from different places on different days. She seems much more steam-tight this year, and putting on a good show. I've changed my opinion of this loco since GB7!

 

Looking steam tight, sounding good here at Pirbright Junction - clearly the drain cock got a clout with the diagnostic hammer at Acton

 

Just gone straight through the planned pathing stop at Addlestone jct at 1825 to put it ahead of the service train - now 18 mins fast

 

And here is the video. I had chosen this location to capture the pullaway from the junction, but it was obvious from the noise in the distance down the bank from Byfleet that it had a green path, so I had to get a hurry on with the shot. Clearly the planned stop was contingency and it was put out 10 minutes ahead of the Weybridge to Waterloo stopper.

 

Here is the morning stop and restart at Brentford

 

Nothing special but here is a shot from Bridge Road in Hounslow. It was nice to finally get out and see something interesting railway related having been on a bit of a hiatus whilst I wrote my undergraduate dissertation and finished my degree.



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