'Torbay Express' 2014

The first of the seasons Torbay Express charters kicks off on Sunday, 6th July hauled by Nunney Castle. <BJ>
1Z27 http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/P91152/2014/07/06/advanced
1Z28 http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/P91153/2014/07/06/advanced

 

Interesting timings - non-stop Taunton-Paignton in 74 mins and Paignton-Taunton in 70 mins. If the Royal Duchy runs to the same times as last week (as far as Plymouth, at least), then we won't get the spectacle of the Torbay passing the RD in Exeter station, but we'll still get 2 steam trains on the sea wall about 15 minutes apart. IIRC, this is the only Sunday they both run until September.

 

The next date when both trains run to the west country is 7th September. After this weekend
RTC concentrate on the 'Weymouth Coast Express' and a couple of trains to Wales. <BJ>

 

It also looks like 34046 Braunton will haul the second TE on the 13th.

 

Yes it is, loco for third weekend is undecided atm




5029/LSL Support Crew
Views are my own and not related to any organisations i represent.

 

Any chance of Britannia putting in an appearance this year?

 

She is comming down in August for the 150 celebrations at Kingswear.

 

I hope Bittern is doing some Torbay runs.

 

Braunton working Torbay on time at Nailsea. Nunney Castle failed yesterday..

 

It was mentioned in the Weymouth Seaside Express thread that plan to run the locos every other weekend and carry out maintenance on the weekend in betweeen.

 

Excellent performance by Braunton on the eastbound climb of Whiteball from Exeter yesterday, mostly at well over 70mph, with approx 66mph into the tunnel. Well done to the Didcot team on the footplate - Graham Ward, Dave Proctor and Bob Cotterill (inspector)

 

Also very impressive speed at Cogload Jct, soon after the departure from Taunton .....and in glorious light. One to remember. <BJ>

 

Timings for Sunday, 13th July. Note that the train runs via Bath and Westbury in both directions.
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/P91154/2014/07/13//advanced
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/P91155/2014/07/13//advanced
Thanks to Realtime Trains. <BJ>

 

Sounds a good plan. Presumably 5029 could take next week's train, (assuming repairs can be done in time), or will the route via Bath and Westbury throw up some kind of gauging issue that wouldn't apply to 34046 ? Actually, if the plan was to keep both locos at Bristol and work alternate trains, both are likely to have been cleared for both routes I guess so in the event of one or the other failing there'd be an immediate substitute ?

 

34046 is provisionally down to work this weekends trip.




5029/LSL Support Crew
Views are my own and not related to any organisations i represent.

 

I am only aware of A4's being banned oneway under the aquaduct on the other route.

 

Although yesterday saw 'Braunton' haul the Torbay Express rather than 'Nunney Castle', I much prefer that substitute rather
than that of the same weekend last year when steam was substituted by a class 47 diesel due to the risk of lineside fires. <BJ>

 

Bloody hell, time for dinner and a few pints in a pub in Taunton on the return!