61306 - The Cathedrals Express 01-03-15

The latest update thanks to 'uksteam'. <BJ>

THE CATHEDRALS EXPRESS. 1st March, 2015.
London Paddington Southend-Cardiff [wcrc]
61306: Southend-Hanwell. Reading-Gloucester-Cardiff and return
34067: Hanwell-Gloucester-Cardiff and return

 

Right thats it. I need to buy a drone for a view of Hanwell Bridge loop.

 

According to the email Steam Dreams sent out last week it is the Southend to Bristol train on 7/3/15 that is split between 61306 and 34067 not the Cardiff trip.

Southend to Cardiff that would be a massively long day!

Andrew

 

Yes, and that's reflected in a hard copy update I received in the post this morning which also makes reference to the Norwich to Windsor tour on Wednesday 11 February.

 

So is Mayflower still in charge of the Cardiff train on Sun 1st?

 

According to the mailing I received this morning, yes,

 

Thanks. That's good to know.

It is going to be very interesting this year comparing Mayflower's performances with Tangmere, RAH and the Black 5s. In theory, she's more-or-less as strong as a Hall or Black 5, but because of her slightly larger driving wheels is permitted to run at 75mph - 6' 2" is the same as a Bulleid light pacific . Although less strong than a BB/WC, she might have an advantage on traction, being a 4-6-0.

 

so when do we expect Mayflower's loaded mainline test run?

 

She had one under the Boden family's ownership back in 2013. Whether NR would require another I know not.

 

Not sure why a change of ownership should require another test run.

 

Nor am I but has she had further work done since said change of ownership?

 

I'm guessing that a couple of runs on the NNR will be sufficient to show whether the latest work was successful and the loco's steam-tight, etc. The first run to Windsor will be a bit of a test-run in itself.

 

'Uksteam' has been further updated with 61306 reinstated to Cardiff. <BJ>

61306: Paddington-Reading-Gloucester-Cardiff and return

 

Outward: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55229/2015/03/01/advanced

Return: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55231/2015/03/01/advanced

James

 

Seems to be a lot of "ML" running on sections from Paddington, which is strange for a loco limited to 60mph.

 

She is 75mph.

 

6' 2" drivers on a B1 so as Mike1522 says, she's a 75 mph loco.

 

the RTT entry says 60mph.

Even at 75 mph there are a lot of ML sections out of Paddington, through Southall for instance, thats in the path of fast 125s and Heathrow expresses.

 

Ever considered that weekend engineering works to do with Crossrail may well be taking place?.......

Which means nothing will be doing 125mph until out the other side......