Royal Duchy 2015

Some nice publicity for the Royal Duchy this year.....

http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk...nched-summer/story-26672953-detail/story.html

 

Tops marks for the choice of picture to illustrate the piece for a change!, though the loco pool mentioned in the piece is "optimistic".

Has the issue with St Blazey turntable been resolved then ?.

 

St blazey turntable was used last year, not sure about this year. If it's not then it's tender first from Plymouth to par


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The first trip of the year is planned for this coming Sunday (5th July), but there seem to be a few doubts in people's minds:

• Will Tangmere's tender wheels have been turned in time?
• Will Par turntable be available for use and in a usable state? If not, will the loco turn at Plymouth and continue tender first, or what?
• Will NR impose any fire risk restrictions, e.g. insisting on DL assistance on the climbs?

I don't think there are any times in RTT yet.

 

A far more pressing concern is whether or not my girlfriend has booked me on this trip for my birthday!

 

Last year there was an Ian Riley rescue w45407.

 

Timings are up. Same as last year.

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U63687/2015/07/05/advanced
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U63696/2015/07/05/advanced
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U63688/2015/07/05/advanced
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U63689/2015/07/05/advanced
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U63690/2015/07/05/advanced

Turntable must be serviceable. Wonder what the motive power will be?

 

Looks like Tangmere's good to go. Time to summon the rain gods to the West Country and Cornwall by Friday. Now where's that darned Grimoire....

 

I thought there was a steam ban for the Western Region this weekend? <BJ>

 

He said Tangmere's fit to run, doesn't mean it will be bolted on at the weekend.

 

How do know 34067 is good to go?


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A contact in WCR. That was before the steam ban was imposed.

 

According to BBC Weather Site the temps not expected to be high for the weekend for Bristol, Taunton or Par. Very early decision. Must be an Express reader!!

 

Hopefully a lot of rain on Friday


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Blimey. Someone has been sat in the sun for too long. Try to cheer up David. <BJ>

 

Funnily enough I did get a bit cooked waiting for Clan Line today

 

Network rail say no steam in the south west until at least Saturday..not much point lighting up 34067 just to have it cancelled

At least I have now learned two things :

1. No steam photos for me on my birthday

2. My pressie is steam related but it's coming in a little box with a 12v motor....!!

Given how hot it was yesterday, and it's still hot now (hence the very AM post) - I don't blame network rain to be fair. Cornwall is full of fields of dry stuff waiting for baling at the moment..

 

1959 was a hot summer - and virtually all our trains were steam in those days. How about some volunteers to cut down the vegetation? I have a handy scythe, if I can find it somewhere in the old shed.

John

 

Fully agree with you Billy. Why should NR risk allowing the running of 19th century technology complete with a live fire and sufficient instances over the years of throwing live coals out onto the lineside when vegetation may be dry enough to catch fire. Even if the ground underneath is a bit moister. Imagine the public outcry if a really major fire was started at a time when the main news is or has just been the nationwide heatwave, causing significant damage to NR infrastructure and even to third parties. Protecting the core railway activity even if it means "safe side" decisions like banning steam for a week or two when the risk rises a bit seems by far the most sensible decision.

What it needs is more people like Ben and Vintage Trains to make quick and fair decisions over what they do when steam locos are banned due to risk of lineside fires.