Royal Duchy series 2014

We're probably going over old ground here but those particular resourcing issues are now in the past. They were always, correctly, going to adopt a cautious approach to any new business this year but the company continues to enjoy a positive relationship with several locomotive owners and railtour operators. Sorry if that sounds like a company press release but there's little more that can be said as things stand. DBS aren't finished with steam just yet and the fact that they can engage with other industry stakeholders (sorry about that!) means that mainline steam would be much poorer without their presence - think of last year's 90mph runs as a positive example of what this cooperation can bring.

I can bring little more to this particular discussion so I'll let the thread meander back to the Royal Duchy.

 

Well I've had eight trips this year with trains operated by WCR none of them have had diesel involvement, and I've had the most fantastic runs with many trains running early. As I live in Devon, my preference for trains are from Bristol to either further up country or over the South Devon banks down to Plymouth or Cornwall,

 

Maureen, with all these trips you are doing, methinks it's time you got a notebook, (hard covered), some red pens, (traditional with big bruver and myself for logging runs for over 50 years now, and now for my Owl field notes too), a stopwatch and a GPS unit. Plus a jacket with lots of pens stuck in the top pocket and a few railway badges too for your lapels.

You'll stop enjoying the trips and seeing any of the scenery of course, and you won't be able to talk to anyone on the train while it is moving, but you'll soon know every milepost like an old friend, you'll get a stiff neck, writers cramp, and you'll have to time any visits to the loo to coincide with slow running over tsrs or signal checks so you don't miss recording anything vital.

 

Thanks for that, Tony. Do you happen to know the Exeter times? Just wondering how close together the Duchy and the TBX will be between Exeter and Newton Abbott. Cheers.

 

Well I for one would quite like this to have happened. An unrebuilt Bulleid going up to Friary, when was the last time that happened?

 

No idea but I've got a pic of 34081 there on the last day of passenger services on 14-09-1958.

 

At Exeter about 10:27 for a water stop

 

From the RYTC website. <BJ>

Actual timings shown 21-09-14
Bristol Temple Meads 08:48 22:25
Yatton 09:08 22:04
Taunton 09:46 21:15
Exeter St. David's 10:49 20:15
Plymouth 12:12 18:59
Par 14:02 17:45

 

Same times as 7th Sept. then. Makes sense.

 

Just had a look back at my filming of Tornado on the up Devon Belle at Twyford in August and would you believe it. Again you have a significant orange glow which could cause concern to those who witnessed it but most didn't because she was travelling at 70mph!! This was shot with an I-phone 5 mobile with great and dramatic results, fire glow and all.

Nick

 

Did 70013 Stay in Bristol? or is he headed to back to Southall or GCR?

 

Hi Mike,

70013 Oliver Cromwell returned to Southall on Sunday, 14th September. Earlier it had
been part of a photographic line up with Bittern, Nunney Castle and Tangmere !! <BJ>

 

Lovely one Nick. Something wonderfully emotive about a steam loco racing through a station at night. On the overnight Hamburg - Osnabruck run by 012 100-4 a few years back it was wonderful being on the train in the middle of the night, head by an open window as we raced through stations at 80 mph plus. On one, a lone figure stood to watch us go past. The goose bumps our passage caused him may still be on their way back down!

 

It's here at last! The updated timings from Realtime Trains for tomorrow's Royal Duchy. <BJ>
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55192/2014/09/21/advanced
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55196/2014/09/21/advanced

 

The timings from RTT vary drastically from RYTC's own schedule.
Note the extended Exeter stop (10:27-11:45) and the reduced time at Plymouth (12:59-13:04). <BJ>
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55192/2014/09/21/advanced
Actual timings from RYTC
Bristol Temple Meads 08:48
Yatton 09:08
Taunton 09:46
Exeter St. David's 10:49
Plymouth 12:12
Par 14:02

 

And unlike many on these trips consumption of beer is limited to a pint in Spooners at lunchtime or in fact on most trips none at all until back on shed. Concentrating on timing requires a clear head at all times.

Don

 

It appears that even RYTC weren't aware of the correct schedule.
Plymouth 1259 -1304. Actual1257½ -1303¾RT
<BJ>

 

Here’s my video of the run on the 21st. On the outward run the location is Dawlish Warren. On the return the locations are Totnes and Tiverton Parkway.

 

Three very fine sequences.

Thank you muchly, you are now forgiven for taking those ten wickets in two innings against us at the Lords Test in 1956. When you also scored 28 and 30 as your Aussie team beat us.