VT - 4965: The Welsh Marches 29th August

The times are out for the Welsh Marches with 46233, though unusually, the tour is running 'anti-clockwise' - starting at Tyseley, heading through New Street and to Hereford via Cosford and Shrewsbury Foregate Street, back via Abergavenny and Old Hill Bank.

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50563/2015/07/04/advanced

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50566/2015/07/04/advanced

James

 

I think that works better, the Marches has some decent climbs in both directions (decent pull up out of Shrewsbury for example) and finishes with Old Hill.

First Duchess on New St - Wolves direct since ????.

 

I would hope that the combination of a Class 8, a shortish train and no reversals would mean no diesel on the back for this one, but can Ben tell us for sure, please?

 

Judging from the weather forecast for the next 4 weeks, fire risk may dictate what happens. There are going to be very hot and dry conditions according to the long range meteorological forecasts!

 

You are reading too much into this - I haven't accepted any times yet - either clockwise or anti-clockwise!

As soon as there is any news, I will let you know.

 

Ah. You have a good point. They said February was going to be a snowy, frosty, wintry month. It wasn't. Their forecasts generally for the short term are very accurate, say for the next 7 days, but for 4 week forecasts I agree with scepticsm. Let's hope for monsoons!

 

Incidentally, 46233 was withdrawn from her last round trip at the Mid Norfolk gala on Sunday. A member of the platform staff advised me that this was due to a tender hot box, and that the tender would be leaving by road for repairs. Assuming his report was correct, hopefully this will be sorted in time.

 

What is this then ?

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50561/2015/06/22/advanced

 

Proof that perhaps the problem which caused the withdrawal was not as serious as first thought. Or perhaps there was no problem with the Duchess, and the organisers thought the public would prefer a round trip behind the Austerity instead?

 

Possibly this, from the Mid Norfolk Railway Facebook page?

'We welcome 56104 onto the branch with DC Rail to collect 47596 which is visiting the NYMR Diesel Gala next weekend'

 

No, the first link was for 46233. http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/O05495/2015/06/22/advanced is the link for 56104 and 47596.

 

Engine is now 5043

Don

 

Back on original route now !

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/sea...000-2359?stp=WVS&show=non-passenger&order=wtt

 

Can't find a movement to turn train so is it diesel back ?

 

They don't need to turn the train at Hereford.

James

 

Circular route so no need to turn, goes round Abbey Forgate curve just south of Shrewsbury station to go from heading north on the Marches to south east towards Wolverhampton.

 

Just a quick comment about Hereford. For clarity there is no trackwork that will allow "turning" a loco or stock any more. The branch to the former Bulmers railway centre ( and an oil depot) is long since disused, and indeed as I left Hereford|for Birmingham last week I noticed that the connection from the Bulmers branch into the mainline north of the station has now been lifted altogether.

Fortunately there are sidings near the station that allow easy access for a road water tanker, and indeed the northbound platform at Hereford has easy access for watering from a road vehicle.

46118

 

If it is going via Shrewsbury and coming back via Shrewsbury where does the loco turn

 

Simples, it doesn't. If you care to study the times and the route, you will note that it is only passing Shrewsbury on the return. As others have said, it is a "circular" tour.