Sapperton

I have just been wondering for few days now why this line doesn't see a little more utilization by tours. 3 tours or so a year, is that enough? There have been some great ones though 5043 has seen the most with at least 1 per year. One other tour that comes to mind is 35028 Clan Line where the MN got to really display her power on a Cathedrals Express in August 2012. Remember that one!

 

It could be the problem of line occupation caused by the lengths of single track; that could be eased when the line is finally doubled in the near future.

 

The main issue is the rebuilding of Reading Station, which means there have been no paths available for steam since Easter 2012 ( Although Vintage Train Cheletenham Flyer used FGW stockmovement paths, there have been some diesel sections of tours and ECS movements in the evening). If you look at tours later in the year, you will see tours going through Reading again.

 

Railtours that have ran via Sapperton in recent times have normally turned left at Didcot and headed towards Oxford,
ie. 'Tangmere' (4/5/13), 'Braunton' (17/5/14) and diesel D345 (7/6/14).

 

RTC are running one to Worcester on the 29th November which returns via Sapperton. I expect both RTC and SD will run ones from London - Worcester next year via North Cotswold line onward which returns via Sapperton ( longer route is better on return in dining) since it has been a popular destiniation in the past.

 

Nothing else comes close to a Castle running up the bank ! So will happily wait till October. Though Clan Line was pretty impressive a few years back.

 

Only been up Sapperton once with steam, 6024 in the 90s. Sadly we had to be shoved up by the 47 on the rear as she was either in poor form or not being handled well.

 

Indeed she was. She had a score to settle with Sapperton (stalled near Frampton Mansell c. 1989 - too many machine tools in the second support coach, IIRC!)

 

Yes, 5043 was magnificent on last year's Cheltenham Flyer. I enjoyed the run behind Braunton this year, which was superb and very competent, but you have to give it to the GWR loco for sheer decibels.

 

Linesided 73096 on Sapperton and she was rather loud too.

 

heres 6024 on her own..demolishing Sapperton...

 

As I live in Chalford, I too would love seeing more tours on our Golden Valley line, in recent years 2012 saw the most with 6 tours, 71000, 35028, 70013 twice, 5043 twice.
once the blue king is up and running, maybe some didcot Worcester via sapperton could be in order.

 

The Blue King is pencilled in as a possibility for the 29th November, via the Golden Valley.

 

But won't that be once it is dark?
6201 did it twice in 2012 Royal Train And Worcester Christmas in the dark

 

I was on a run up Sapperton quite some years ago with 6024 and she had no trouble with load 13. I can't remember the date but it was an interesting day out with the outward run from Didcot to Worcester behind 46521 and 80079 which were returning to the SVR after doing some Santa runs around London and then 6024 Kiddy to Didcot. It was long before GPS and after dark so I don't have timings but I think we went into the tunnel at around 30-40mph.
Also did 5043 on the Cheltenham Flyer and the Cotswold Explorer last year.
Awesome sound with all of these and the valley produces some fantastic echoes as well.

 

Tangmere also on 9/3/13, Euston-Reading-Oxford-Worcester-Sapperton-Paddington.

 

34067 with 12 on was pretty spectacular (4073s tend to be load 9 just about everywhere these days), and did not loose her footing once. Bulleids can be excellent hill-climbers in the right hands- stands to reason, for what the West of England Main Line (via Salisbury) lacks in 1 in 50 gradients, it makes up for in the large number of climbs.

 

My apologies, I forgot 6201 only cause I missed those two. You can forgive me on the royal train duty as it was hush hush for most

 

I believe the ban on tours through Reading was lifted some time ago, but tour operators have been slow to take advantage of it as yet. The new elevated section on the mains just west of Reading opens at Christmas.

 

Thanks for that.