Saphos 2022

Currently at water stop in Oxford. Really good running so far. It's really weird being the only train running. Stations are only being opened for us, and are closed rest of the day. 2 vintage planes, 1 of them a bi-plane, were flying parallel to us for many miles, presumably from the airfield at Heyford. Hope they were filming us, footage would be stunning.

 

No Challow stop ?

 

70000 at Swindon. No need for the pathing stop at Challow, so have stopped here for photos instead.

 

Are you waiting for you scheduled time or will they let you go earlier??

 

70000 Britannia through Oldfield Park, Bath on time.

Many thanks to the driver of the slow moving Southampton bound freightliner for stopping his train short of the station to allow the many steam fans the opportunity to watch Britannia pass. Otherwise it would have been a disaster. [BJ]

 

Saw that head your way from our vantage point at Twerton. That would be gutting considering the lack of trains across the network. We was at Banbury and it was blissfully dead.

 

At BTM ready for return trip. Whole train has been turned.

 

Claydon this morning

 

70000 pulls away from its Leamington Spa stop this morning.

 

Reminds me of the the days I watched the Kings and Castles pull away south...you could hear them from Tatchbrook...

 

With a Southerly wind this morning you could here it accelerating away beyond Whitnsh and up towards Harbury.

 

A deserted Banbury station was the highlight of the day although a very surreal experience at such a big station. A good day out chasing steam with some good running at other locations seemed the order of the day. I hope you enjoy.

 

Whitnash ..please..and I live in Yorkshire..but born in Leamington Spa...Royal of course..

 

Water stop at a deserted Oxford station. Bit of discussion on board about how long it has been since a steam locomotive last watered directly in Oxford station. I'm sure someone on here will know.

 

Here's my video of 70000 Britannia on her adventure to Bath and Bristol during the national rail strike. I hope you enjoy the video.

 

Yesterday was one of the most surreal, and most fun, railtours I have ever been on. Wandering around a deserted Bristol Temple Meads was like being on the set of 28 Days Later. All of these busy stations that were literally empty except for us and a handful of curious staff taking a break from the day of safety briefings and training videos.

From Birmingham to Oxford it was just us and handful of freight trains. At Oxford GWR were running a 2 hourly DMU shuttle service to Reading, and at Bristol there were 2 hourly IETs to Paddington, but that was it. We were literally altering our scheduled path on the fly! We completely dispensed with Challow as it wasn't needed, and a quick call to the Swindon signaller gave us all we needed to stop for 20 mins at Swindon for a photo opportunity.

Bath station was closed all day, with staff just turning up to unlock when we arrived. Once all those who got off had left it was then locked up until they returned later. Oxford station, when we stopped there to take on water on the return, was closed and deserted. No member of staff visible, entrance to the station locked up tight. It was just an utterly bizarre experience. It was my last railtour of this year and what a way to end the year!

As the train was fully turned at Bristol, I was 3 coaches behind Britannia all day. In a Mk 1, with the toplight left ever so slightly ajar to keep the heat in, she was clearly audible all day. An amazing performance.

 

A little late to the party, I know, but here's a shot of 70000 cruising down the Cherwell valley, passing Enslow and Shipton on Cherwell, on Sat 26th Nov. It's followed by more recent shots of 7029 and 6233.

https://youtu.be/Q2VjfwjenHw

 

Times for Wednesday 21.12.22 Leicester -Blackburn - Leicester trip are up on RTT. Interestingly appears to be parked in the goods loop at Blackburn for an hour, presumably water and pathing issues.
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U64439/2022-12-21/detailed
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U64440/2022-12-21/detailed