Royal Duchy series 2014

Network Rail report it to be for the first two weekends. More to follow? We hope so. <BJ>

 

45407 5Z35 reported to be running right time behind 57.315 en route from Carnforth
to Bristol Kingsland Road in preparation for tomorrow's 'Royal Duchy'. <BJ>

 

Ian Riley states on The Works that 45407 is "to work the next two RTC Duchy trains".

 

That means Sun 29 June and Sun 6 July.

 

According to RTT 44507 has remarkably kept the near mile minute booking (Yatton to Taunton, 33 miles in 35 minutes). Possibly a liberal interpretation of the 60 limit?

Still not sure why it isn't a 75 mph engine though. Are none available? Hope the September ones are as otherwise I will miss out on my annual treat.

Don

 

45407 (not 44507 Don!!) plus 8 coaches (7 maroon, 1 Pullman livery) looking good through Flax Bourton a few mins late en route to Par. <BJ>

 

For the photographers amongst us, high tide is expected this evening
around the time that 45407 passes Cockwood harbour . <BJ>

 

7+POB so load 8 !
Happy tp see 45407 a few mins ago and wish the crew a good run over the banks!

Availability of 75 mph locos .......NOW! .... that's a discussion perhaps to leave at present but I am mightily relieved that a loco was found........and that a St Blazey solution has been found.
Steam in Cornwall has a very positive future whether for 60 or 75mph locos!

 

Funny how a broken turntable is suddenly working, DBS telling porkies ?.

 

I don't know the circumstances in this case, but in this day and age, most machinery will have maintenance and inspection schedules and if scheduled work or inspection is not done, then it becomes "out of use" due to being, in effect, "out of inspection". There may have not been anything known to be wrong with it, but, crucially, neither was it know not to have any defects! (Like a car with an overdue MOT, for example).

Just a possibility.

Steven

 

So out of use on paper but not in reality ?, you could be right there Steve thinking about it.

 

Yes, and worth remembering that after Exeter, there's not a lot of opportunity for 75mph running anyway, certainly not west of Plymouth so for this itinerary, a Black 5 is probably just fine.

Not sure why "Fives" can't be cleared for 75 though. Wasn't 44767 a 75mph approved machine ? Something to do with bearings IIRC ?

 

Smaller wheels therefore increased hammer blow.

Ian Riley has stated a number of time he is happy with Black 5's being limited to 60mph since there would be an increase in maintenance costs if it was passed for 75mph.

 

45407 dep Plymouth 5 mins late due to a late running Paddington - Newquay service. <BJ>

 

The word earlier was that substantial expenditure would be needed to allow the turntable to be put back into use. That does imply that at least some part of it is in poor condition and generally considered unfit for use. But it may be a question of how far it has deteriorated from when the turntable was last considered to be in acceptable condition, what risk exists, and whether that will get worse each time it is used.

 

Well I saw her at Dainton and she was well in control and blowing off at the tunnel. Video to follow later tonight after seeing the assault of Hemerdon.

And here's a photo......

 

45407 has arrived at Exeter 13 mins early on the return to Bristol. <BJ>

 

No there wasn't any 75 mph engines available, 45407 did a great job on the South Devon banks with the great expertise of Ray Churchill driving from Bristol and back to Plymouth, 45407 is also working the train next Sunday.

 

Here’s my video of the run on 29th June 2014, taken at Dainton and Devonport on the outward run and at Hemerdon on the return.

 

Great video. What a superb climb of Hemerdon bank. Driver, fireman & loco on top form.

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