Royal Duchy series 2014

Correct.

 

And 70013 in 2009. Departed Plymouth at 16:30, arrived at Exeter 17:28. The first and best run I've had behind that loco.

 

The noise from Tangmere on Hemerdon, was deafening last night ! As it passed under the bridge, the sound shook us right through to our boots ! And of course, we was all blasted with ash ! Managed two shot's on the bank. Video to follow.

 

This looks like a very good time indeed. The present "record" (4 mins 51 sec) is held by 71000 and is measured between MP242.5 and MP238.5. The exact location of the "Plympton" time is therefore important! The speeds at the lower part of the bank look very similar between 71000 and 34067, however 71000 dropped no lower than 36 mph so I suspect 71000 will keep top spot.

Based on an average of 60 mph between Laira Junc and MP242.5 I estimate that this effort would be around 5 min 20 over the measured section which would put it 4th in my (non-definitive) list.

 

Well, that video starts at 10.34 for me, ( I don't watch sharp blue pointy things much, bit of an SR man, not that anyone here would know. ). And that first sequence of 34067 from 10.34 is, IMHO, the best overall one shown here for the complete spectacle of the climb. Truly outstanding. Truly outstanding

Safety valves open as she comes into view, and then all the crew seem to wave as they get close to the bridge. I reckon they must really have been enjoying themselves. Being on that footplate must have been a wonderful, wonderful experience. Albeit damn hard work at times.

The memories just flood back to me. Strewth, I'm in tears typing this now . I really am! Emotional old Yeti that I am.

Probably the best memory it brings back is being on the footplate with Gordon Porter ably assisted by Tommy Moult, both so sadly no longer with us, when they worked a very badly steaming 34101 up to 90mph on the level after the Basingstoke re-start with a decent load. Regulator in the roof where it stayed for most of the time, and cut off wound right out to get up to speed. Tommy just worked his backside off, and I would be somewhat surprised if that wasn't happening yesterday too. Even the fastest of my other SR pacific footplate runs, (and the best was VERY fast as some here know), there was never much effort needed from the loco as the MNs could run very, very fast indeed without a great deal of effort, so mostly I wasn't up front when a loco was being worked like Tangy was.

Couple of requests please, if I may.

Can you pinpoint the locations of the first two Tangy sequences for me please, especially that first one from 10.34. I'm trying to work out where they fit in with the others shown.

And, I don't know what you do with your footage but is there any chance of it being put together with anyone who produces videos for sale these days to add to the picture of yesterday?

Finally, I do hope any of the loco crew who want a copy of that can get one!

Thank you again so much for posting it here.

Cheers,

Bryan

 

Nor me either as I just did the morning run, which though good was not in the same league as the return

Don

 

I filmed the train on the return journey in the dark at Tiverton Parkway station. The train absolutely stormed through.
Could anyone who was aboard the train last night tell me how fast Tangmere was actually travelling, please? <BJ>

 

What was overall time Plymouth to Exeter?
Don

 

We was there too. Wasn't doing much more than 55, IMHO.

 

Bryan, thanks for your comments on the video. Glad the video, gave you a chance to reminisce. In response, to your location queries. The first scene is of Ledgate Lane, at the top of Hemerdon, and the second scene is situated between, Sparkwell & Venton. I would gladly make my video available to production team's, if they are interested. Though unfortunately, they would be reluctant to use my footage, due to it being on Youtube. Would be a nice touch if the crew, get to watch their antics on Hemerdon. Regards, Liam

 

Thank you so much for your response Liam. Being at the summit has got you some footage that will have Bulleid fans drooling for many years to come! Indeed that has already started as I sent an email round to Big Bruvers email group for us old timers, (both in age and hobby). One response on that already from a fireman of those days that knows full well what it is like to work on the footplate of a Bulleid being worked like that as he fired more than a few of the superb runs we timed back then. Only we don't see him much these days as he's up in Scotland of all places!

Cheers,

Bryan

 

Very nice. Two class locos.

 

They were very short on coal on the outward Bristol Par trip, Ray said there was no coal at Bristol and they had to make do with what they had till they got to St Blazey. So guess they were firing as economically as they could so as not to run out!!

 

The time at Plympton was for the OB at MP 242.

The time at Plympton was taken at the overbridge at MP 242

Time at MP 242 1/2 est 7m 42s, MP 238 1/2 12m 59s so 5m 17s pass to pass. Happily to be corrected!

Loco eased after Ivybridge and kept to time therafter. Loco only really opened out on last 3/4 mile on Dainton, min 29 mph.

Principal passing times
Ivybridge (new) 17 23
Totnes 30 25
Dainton Tnl W 36 16
Newton Abbot 40 52
Teignmouth 46 02
Dawlish 48 50
Dawlish Warren 50 21
Starcross 52 07
Exminster 55 18
St Thomas 58 59
EX ST DAVIDS 62 15

Max 73 mph after Powderham

St Davids - Taunton 37m 27s start to stop, 57 mph at Tivvy P and minimum 46 mph before Whiteball. So no heroics.

Taunton to Yatton 31m 24s start to stop, so better than even time, with excellent start out of Taunton and cruising in low/mid 70s. Cautious approach to Yatton in the dark.

Yatton to Temple Meads 21m 59s heavily checked at the end but arrived 3 early.

I'll get this typed up properly tomorrow.

Sean

 

6024 did the up journey from Plymouth to Exeter in 58mins and 6 secs. On the same day it did the down journey from Exeter to a signal stop in Mutley tunnel just outside Plymouth in about 59mins.

 

That would explain why Ray was subdued. I knew it wasn't lack of steam as I had asked him at Plymouth but hadn't thought to ask about coal. It was a good run anyway by any standard. Times were BTM-Yatton 18/44 max 69.4, Yatton-Taunton 31/59 max 77.4 at Highbridge after an easy start, then eased down to low/mid 70s, Taunton-Exeter 35/42, 37.9 min on Whiteball after 57.4 max and then 77.7 max at Cullompton and 70/32 Exeter to Plymouth, min 16.0 Dainton, 17.6 Tigley and 28.2 Rattery. Max 73.7 Plympton. Very easy running along Exe Estuary and to Teignmouth (may have been trs for track works?). Load I think 322 tare, which is over the 315 load limit for the S.Devon banks.

Proves Tangmere can do it even when not pushed. My video clip taken from the last coach with the camera sitting on the table did pick up some engine sounds on Dainton and Tigley but not a lot.

Don

 

I've just played it again! LOL

And yes, as it went under the bridge my study desk where the laptop is situated did actually shake! That is the honest truth, and that has never, ever happened before.

Sadly no coal ash blasting down. Yet.

 

Yes Don that is right if Ray had pushed for more he said we would have ran out of coal at Plymouth! Also when Ray is in charge of a train his first thoughts are for the well being and health of the engine, and getting the job done well so that his passengers, NR are happy with no incidents, it is not just all about speed and breaking records although he is more than happy when the situation arises and he does break someone or his own record, but he is not someone who is hell bent on going all out to break records if he's in a difficult situation like Sunday, he is too good a professional engineman for that. he would have also thought about Tangmere's return to London with the ACE the following day, he wouldn't of wanted anything to happen to spoil that as he already knew there wasn't going to be a diesel attached for the return unless something unforeseen happened.