B1 61306. Horsham to Bristol. 22/09/2015

Mayflower made a fine nice sight as she passed through Saltford this evening taking the Cathedrals Express back to Horsham.

We were worried at one point that we would lose the sun as the train was running late but it worked out well in the end.

Thanks to all concerned. <BJ>

 

That's great news. I bet Pete was looking ahead in the hope that the signallers would keep her on the fast down to Reading. Now Pete and the rest of us would have loved that.

Mayflower looked great going through Twyford tonight, yes on the up relief. What was interesting is that train announcements no longer state "First Great Western service to London Paddington". It is now "Great Western Railway" service to London Paddington. What is more, an HST raced through the down main completely turned out in the new green livery with the most hideous GWR logo (see below) as did a couple of DMU's. Difficult ot believe that some designer somewhere charge FGW hundreds of thousands of pounds to design it.

 

A rather overcast scene at Crofton earlier but Mayflower was going and sounding well.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/davestubbings/

 

Very nice filming. Thanks for that.

Did you realise that at Newton St. Loe the train is running parallel with the old Midland railway from the midlands to Bath Green Park, the route of the Pines Express. Around the 2min:05s mark you can see where the railway (now a cycle route) crosses the River Avon.

Hope this is of interest. <BJ>

 

Absolutely so - thanks for saving me a short but annoying late evening trip!!

 

Mayflower near Wotton Bassett yesterday evening. The sun had just gone behind a cloud and the rain started.


The green livery HST passed about 16 minutes earlier, but I didn't realise what it was in time to get a picture.

 

Hello Everyone! As no one has posted on-board notes about this trip, l thought l would join-up and provide some details. As this is my first posting, please be gentle!

This tour was originally scheduled to run on the 28th August, but was postponed for the reason we know too well! In fact l had booked it last December using a no-steam credit (FBU strike) and on-train reduction. The tickets – without timings - were sent out in good time. In fact they were re-issued by e-mail on Monday twice: once with the outward and then a second time completed. Credit to Steam Dreams.

As others have previously mentioned, l was a little worried that Mayflower was returning to Southall the day before – especially as RTT took some time to record her as leaving the NNR.

The ECS from Southall was a little late arriving at Horsham so there was little time for photographs as we were encouraged to board straight away. The wet weather was also a deterrent. I managed to take one or two as the train formation was the ‘correct’ way round with Standard being after the support coach and my seat was in the first of these.

Not much to note about the departure. After passing through Warnham station the line climbs more than you may think – so 61306 was working hard – up to the first stop at Ockley. On this occasion there was not the bucking provided by 70013 on the same stretch last year (load 11 + Class 47).

It was highly probable that some interlopers had got on at Ockley as there was an announcement: “l hope those on board have enjoyed their free steam taxi service” (or similar words). Ockley and Holmwood are unmanned.

Water was taken on at the next pickup (Holmwood) where there was a few minutes for “those near the front” to grab some pictures. The lifting of the safety valve made a few people jump, me included!

Pick-ups were made at Dorking (Main), Leatherhead and Cheam. Cheam produced a smile as some tots from a local nursery had been brought to the station to ‘see a steam train’. After Cheam we cruised towards London. Obviously the train was something different as even the (BT?) Fuzz were taking pictures! Traction was not easy approaching the junctions at Streatham as slipping was heard. Final pick-up at West Brompton, then a meander to the Great Western Main Line and Hanwell Bridge Loop where more water was taken on.

Another cruise to Reading (crew change) where there was an announcement that someone who had missed the train at an earlier pick-up would be coming aboard. He looked a mixture of glad and sheepish when entering the carriage.

Leaving Reading we turned South (towards Reading West). It was while going around the curve that someone noticed that the Class 47 had indeed been removed earlier. Excellent.

There was a third watering at Newbury Racecourse where – again – it was advantageous to be at the front as it seemed that by the time those nearer the rear had got anywhere near 61306 she whistled for people to re-board.

For those who are interested, using my mobile’s GPS: Hungerford at 56mph, Bedwyn at 63mph and 51mph over Savernake and then some 70mph plus (up to 75) the other side. Some nice countryside followed Westbury to Bath were l left the train to do the touristy things.

As l rejoined the train (now at the rear) l am not too sure for the reason for the late departure from Bristol, albeit that there may have been some confusion about the correct platform. Anyway, a delay probably meant that there was an opportunity for the driver to make up the time. There were two stops – Swindon for pathing and one for water at Milton Junction – between Bath and Reading. All three of these sections involved 70mph plus running. In fact, between Swindon and Milton Junction there was about 10 miles at 75mph, with the drifting smoke / steam being turned orange by the setting sun. Bliss!

Progress from Reading to Hanwell Bridge Loop was measured where we had the opportunity to “wave” goodbye to Mayflower as she reversed past the train. The rest of the journey (via a Class 47) was a little ponderous as we were rigidly kept to our path, which meant following a stopper from Clapham Junction to Dorking. We rolled back into Horsham a couple of minutes early.

To close: 61306 was a delight to ride behind: l liken her to a Black 5 on steroids. Also, thank you to all those who ran the trip, especially as it was the first time with Steam Dreams that everything ran as advertised. I thought it unlikely that steam would be all the way back to Horsham; maybe one day!

Thanks for reading, sorry it's a little late.