West Somerset Steam Express 2015

Booked on Saturday's trip, so its now cursed... Regardless, should be a good trundle down the Berks and Hants, and there's a couple of bits of track that I need to tick-off on this trip (south curve of the triangle at Westbury; Castle Cary-Cogload Jct.; Norton Fitzwarren Jct.- Norton Fitzwarren Platform. Also haven't done the Berks and Hants eastbound, nor the tiny bit between Old Oak Common Jct.- Acton Wells Jct. westbound).

The first time I came across the carriage issue this year was with the 'Buxton Spa'. Wonder if sets are being taken out for maintenance, or are they still out of position after the ban?

 

Heritage Railway mentioned that some carriages have been taken out of service for maintenance as part of the aftermath of the issues earlier in the year.

 

I shall be in Minehead Box. Give me a wave !

David

 

Will do. Although it used to be my regular line when I lived in West Wales (used to enjoy the galas- there was a period when I used to do both steam events), moving to York and other demands upon my time has meant that I was last on WSR when 34070 visited in 2011. About time for another recce whilst making use of the mainline link...

 

Missed that bit... Doesn't surprise me, though.

 

There should be WSR TTIs joining the train at Reading to sell these - assuming they don't miss their connection like on the last one! - for £5 I think.

 

You may be able to go on the trip without missing any Test cricket, the way Australia were batting yesterday.

John

 

Funnily enough, suggested this to the war department last night at dinner

 

Is this still certain to run without a diesel?
Fields full of dry straw west of London.

 

Please ensure that you use a cloth when pulling those shiny levers in true GWR fashion. Having always done so in my signalling career, I cringe when I see signalmen using their bare hands when pulling levers with all that sweat! That said, it's usually on other railways further up north rather than GWR bobbies!

 

Looking forward to seeing 70000 2moro

 

Early through Twyford on down relief on a lovely summer's day.

 

Here's my video from an hour ago. Plenty of noise and not only from Britannia with HST and locals making a racket.

 

At speed through Theale

 

And here is 100% Steam (well so far anyway) at Bedwyn

 

Britannia on the Berks and Hants.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/25640353@N05/20210228218/in/dateposted-public/

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/64433281@N07/19775558494/in/photostream/lightbox/

Looking and sounding great at Crofton

 

My footage of today's run at Great Bedwyn. Also features last month's run at Crofton.