GWR 4965 - Chester Carols - 19-12-14

Outbound times
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U53389/2014/12/19/advanced

Return Times
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U53393/2014/12/19/advanced

 

Im gonna be seeing this railtour at Chester during the layover. Hope to get a run behind 4965 Rood Ashton Hall at some point in 2015, I was planning to get behind her on March 7th's Red Dragon but hearing that it wasn't going to be double jubilee's on the WCME on Jan 24th I have decided to go on that instead but I will hopefully have 4965 on the Shakespeare express.

This charter with 4965 running to Chester will be the first since July that we will have seen a 4900 up north and the first time in a few years that 4965 will have been near Chester.

 

looking to get some good footage of this trip. on friday. can anyone recommend some good locations that are legally accessiable?

 

There's some good spots along the WCML after Stafford, but you'll be pushing the light ! Best bet is, the Sutton Park line, before, Walsall.

I shot 5043 at Stableford, which is in between Stafford & Crewe which is shown in the first clip.

 

im going to be getting train from derby.so which station is best for me?? looking to go.for the sutton park line.. so water orton maybe.. will have my bike too

 

The tour takes a left turn before Water Orton, so you would need to get off at Sutton Coldfield Station, if you want to go to Sutton Park.

 

so where do i need to go in sutton park to get a good clear video?? not familiar with the area..

 

10 minute bike ride from Sutton Coldfield station, to the first main bridge in the park. If you have sat nav, just type in Midland Road, Sutton Coldfield. The road leads up to the bridge. Location featured below.

 

Its the tried and tested Washwood heath shot for this one. Ive always found, even at this time of year, the Sutton park line to very un photo friendly and especially in the park where its very wooded right upto the fence line.

 

4965, chuffing along nicely, through, Sutton Park.

 

a couple of shots in Sutton Park - Streetly Gate foot crossing

https://www.flickr.com/photos/31339850@N06/15434846504/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/31339850@N06/15871069149/in/photostream/

graham

 

A short shot of 4965 in the last of the fading light at Wardle between Crewe and Chester on the outward leg:

Chris

 

Footage of 4965 making its departure from Chester yesterday evening, plus shunting the stock into platform 3A beforehand.

 

Charging north through Penkridge yesterday:

Chester Carols by David likes trains, on Flickr

 

The water carrier is a God-send on a trip such as this. If we had to take water in Crewe in each direction, it would have added 90 minutes to the day, pushing it over the magic 12-hour mark or shortening the time in Chester.

The trip as a whole was extremely well received by the passengers. The good folks (Nick Fry et al) at Chester Cathedral could not have been any more accommodating.

A lovely way to round out the 2014 tour program and Christmas season.

 

Ben: Does the water carrier have the added advantage that you are using the "same" water all day, ie if you use water treatment, rather than having to take what is on offer at, in this case, Crewe?

46118

 

I know that I'm not Ben but 2013 VT did the 5043+46233 Double header with the locomotives advertised that they would power the train all the way back to Tyseley. The Earl and Duchess were taken off at Crewe if I recall due to the fact that the water would take quite a good amount of time to fill.