Torbay Express 2015

Well filmed.

 

I'm looking forward to Tornado hauling the Torbay Express on Sunday, 12th.

The train is booked to run via Bath and Westbury in both directions.

Rain has fallen in the Bath area over the last few days. More is expected today
throughout the south west. The fire risk in the area at present must be minimal.

Fingers crossed. <BJ>

 

Is the NR (GW Zone) steam ban still in place ?

 

I doubt it. Two steam locos have transferred from London to Bristol since the ban was introduced.
Rain is forecast to spread from the south west this evening. In the Bath area, rain is expected from
midnight until Sunday afternoon. <BJ>

 

Tornado with 12 on, 3 early at Bath spa held to time,
And no diesel in sight.

 

Tornado looked very nice this morning passing through Sydney Gardens, Bath en route to Kingswear.

There was quite a gathering of folk at the gardens all wondering how long it will be before electrification of the Great Western main line spoils the classic scene.

<BJ>

 

Westbury

 

Yes, a couple hanging right out of the holiday flat window right up on the hillside. But I don't think ORR have jurisdiction over watching holiday makers that distance away. Yet.

 

With the amount of lineside clutter and those silly pailings they put up a few years ago, it already wasn't quite the scene it once was.

I quite like the errant buddleia though, I suppose all that will go as well...



Torbay Express on Flickr

 

With the overhead catenary in the shot the buddleia will be the last thing on our minds. <BJ>

 

Here’s my video from today, taken at Cogload Junction and Whiteball on the outward run and at Tiverton Parkway on the return.

 

60163 on good form today. Good run to Taunton arrived ludicrously early. Relatively slow run up Whiteball followed by a rapid decent. Struggle up to Churston, minimum 1.5 mph but we made it. Good run on return, Whiteball Challenge speed of 60 mph, 58.5 mph at summit. Another good run over Brewham on the return then ran as a service train Westbury to Bristol in the path of a cancelled service. All in all a very good day. Thanks to all who made it possible.

 

some photos from around torbay of 60163 at http://keyhamtrain.weebly.com/paignton-and-dartmouth-2015.html

 

Good report No.7. Thanks for that.

Were the stranded passengers from the cancelled Portsmouth - Cardiff service allowed to travel on the Torbay Express? The First Great Western service train ran from Bristol to the south coast and return as empty coaching stock as the FGW guards were on an overtime ban. <BJ>

 

Here's my footage of her memorable run yesterday. Shots taken at Newton St Loe, Fairwood Junction, Whiteball and Burlescombe. With 12 coaches behind her, I believe that this is the heaviest load that The Torbay Express has to deal with ever since the start of regular summer service in 2003.

 

Is Tornado staying at Bristol until the next TE?

 

I guess we were standing next to each other yesterday!

 

I think you will find that 6024 has regularly taken load 12 on the Torbay's including the final one prior to the current overhaul.

 

My footage of the run. Filmed at Sydney Gardens, Whiteball, Pugham Farm and Twerton Tunnel.