'Torbay Express' 2014

will it be braunton again or 5029 ?

 

Booked for Braunton. 5029 a week later. Allocation details available at 'uksteam'. <BJ>

 

There is a potential problem with the Torbay Express on Sunday, 20th July. There is a FBU strike call between 17:00 and 19:00. <BJ>

 

Should be ok. The Torbay is a DBS-crewed train..

 

I don't believe that will make any difference. <BJ>

 

Let's hope all goes to plan for the TE tomorrow. No steam ban likely as it's raining steady in the west this evening.
More rain due in the early hours. <BJ>

 

removed

 

34046 'Braunton' seen blasting out of Saltford tunnel (before the GW electrification ruins the scene) on time at 09:01.
11 chocolate and cream coaches today. The large GWR headboard has been replaced with one that is more aesthetically
pleasing. Light rain in the air but plenty of clag. Very good forecast for the Taunton area this evening .....we shall see. <BJ>

 

I've just read my notes from this time last year .....bring on the rain. <BJ>

7th July, 2013.
D1916 + 11 chocolate and cream coaches. Torbay Express.
14th July.
5029 + D1916 + 11 chocolate and cream coaches. Torbay Express.
21st July.
5029 + D1916 + 11 chocolate and cream coaches. Torbay Express.

 

Ha, just goes to show how exceptional those conditions were. Be interesting to see if next February we have idyllic calm waters around the coasts such as that at Dawlish and Teignmouth !

 

Yes by all accounts very good. Fred Lewis driving. Andover was on it and has the details.

Don

 

On the outward run I was waiting for the Torbay Express about six miles out from Bristol. An HST passed us as
we were waiting and I commented that Braunton wouldn't be travelling as fast as that. I stand corrected. <BJ>

 

With the FBU holding their strike action between 17:00 and 19:00 on Sunday, the operation of the Torbay Express must now be in doubt.
Perhaps if the train was diesel hauled between Kingswear (dep 16:50) and Taunton (arrive for water 18:28) would save the day. <BJ>

 

I think the TE will still run and what I've heard it will have a late departure from Kingswear/P&DSR ground frame as Network Rail won't a allow a steam engine on the mainline during the strike times.

 

My video and a photograph from Sunday's train, taken at one of the foot crossings at Bradford-on-Avon:



James

 

Interesting. That could work quite well. More time in a hopefully sunny Dartmouth for the passengers, : )

 

Working on the assumption that the TE would depart from Paignton 1 hour, 42 mins later than planned,
that would lead to an arrival time of 21:48 at Bristol TM. Quite a reasonable hour for a charter train. <BJ>

 

Indeed, and if I'm not mistaken, TE's in years past, (2004 for example) were scheduled to arrive later than those of recent years anyway. Could that have been due to pathing, or maybe longer water stops ?