70000 Britannia @ Didcot...

This lovely loco is scheduled to work all three days of the forthcoming August Bank Holiday weekend at Didcot. I had a terrific day there when she waorked earlier this month and will definitely be back for more. There is so much to see at Didcot, and they get regular visits from me because they are rather good at letting punters know which locos to expect. The museum is superb, and it's great to wander round a shed. Loads of photo opps.

 

When I left site on the12th August, she was on the Coaling Stage Road, and looking like she was going to be leaving soon. I wonder what has changed?
I will be there over the weekend driving the Railcar on Saturday, and working the other 2 days, and of course supping in the bar in the evenings

 

Britannia Weekend at Didcot Railway Centre

‘Britannia’ will be in steam at Didcot Railway Centre and hauling passenger trains on our demonstration line on all three days of the August Bank Holiday weekend. Provided the loco performs well on Saturday, she will be working on Sunday and Monday too. It will be a chance to get up close, see the loco in action and ride behind her.
70000 arrived at Didcot on 27 July so that we could assist with the re-springing of the front bogie. The loco was lifted the following week and the bogie springs replaced. 70000 then steamed in the railway centre on 8 August, but the Britannia crew still weren't happy with the bogie and the loco was lifted again for more attention. The repairs were completed on 23 August, so let's hope all is satisfactory.

 

70000 arrived at Didcot on 27 July so that we could assist with the re-springing of the front bogie. The loco was lifted the following week and the bogie springs replaced. 70000 then steamed in the railway centre on 8 August, but the Britannia crew still weren't happy with the bogie and the loco was lifted again for more attention. The repairs were completed on 23 August, so let's hope all is satisfactory.

 

Over the bank holiday weekend, 70000 worked along the Didcot Railway Centre Main Line alongside 5322 (which hauled the TPO on Sunday and Monday). I visited the centre on Sunday, and came away with around 90 minutes of footage and a huge smile on my face after some incredible performances by both 5322 and 70000.

Because I captured so much footage, I have put the video into 5 videos (for a reason!).

Video 1 - A very loud 5322 on the TPO at Didcot Railway Centre 26-08-12 - YouTube
Video 2 - 70000 Britannia erupts out of Oxford Road 26-08-12 - YouTube
Video 3 - 70000 - A day at Didcot Railway Centre 26-08-12 - YouTube
Video 4 - A very loud 5322 - A day at Didcot Railway Centre 26-08-12 - YouTube
Video 5 - 5322 vs. 70000 at Didcot Railway Centre! - YouTube

I apologise for there being nearly 40 minutes of footage here - I hope you enjoy them anyway!

With thanks to KristianGWR for a great day out

James at SVN

 

And thank you to you too James What a fantastic day out it was, certainly the best I've had at Didcot with the loudest run pasts I've ever heard there.

Anyway, here are my offerings and I hope you enjoy them.

Video 1 - Mogul Magic at Didcot - 5322 on the TPO - 26/08/112 - YouTube
Video 2 - 70000 Britannia explodes out of Oxford Road Station - 27/08/12- YouTube
Video 3 - Front window thrash w/ 70000 Britannia - 26/08/12 - YouTube
Video 4 (Full 40 minute video) - A day at Didcot Railway Centre w/ 70000 Britannia & 5322 - 26/08/12 - YouTube

 

Thanks to steamvideosnet and KristianGWR for great videos. I was there on Sunday and caught some very quick glimpses of myself in them. it was a great day and very loud made better by two overflights of XH558 flying to and from Dunsfold.
BTW I have heard louder when 4472 visited for servicing and Earl Bathurst was on the running line. The crew then were certainly giving the Earl lots of large.
All the best
Brian Gillman