Christmas Cheshireman, 28th November

Remember 871 came to grief because of the rail conditions, there's a video of Ian taking a sample of the rail head conditions in front of the engine.

 

You haven't got almost mile of level track on the run up to Llanvihangel as you have from Poole. The tree lined 1 in 85 starts at the platform end on a right hand curve that puts the balance out. Everything slips trying to leave. Then when you do get going up the half a mile of 1 in 85 the bank steepens to two miles of 1 in 82 before it eases to almost 2 miles of 1 in 95 to the summit. Very different profile to Parkstone. Friend in Abergavenny said leaf fall onto the track is still a problem and the forecast is grim too.

 

Not sure why they bother with the Abergavenny pick up ! It's not a long stretch to Shrewsbury from there, and definitely not worth the 85.00 price. Also had an email today offering me 20.00 off any class this weekend, which tells me everything you need to know about the current mainline steam scene. Hopefully some much needed class 8 power, next year will change things.

 

I hear that the DL will be marshalled behind 45407 on Saturday. Knowing the likely source of this story, I think it's reliable, though I suppose things may change on the day.

 

Recreation of the early 1960s, when steam had to rescue a failed Class 4 diesel.

 

Black5 Saturday - Mr Riley's engine on front & on the move.

 

Joining at Gloucester....excited!!

 

Bristol black 5 Saturday

 

Where's the box? Tucked inside or at the rear? or are they risking it and it's a real steam hauled train?

 

Box on the back, 45407 looking lovely

 

Annnnd we're off!

 

55 out of Gloucester - fair bit of shove from the 47 but 45407 still doing a fair bit

 

Steam for show yet again. So glad we didn't book on this one. Two all on the Marches this year, real steam only from Vintage Trains. Great route for steam. Passengers conned out of their money again.

 

Dry and sunny here in Hereford, so lets hope rail head conditions on the climb out of Abergavenny are reasonable, and the 47 can be left on idle for the climb.
..Well here's hoping so...

Edit: But the weather for the return run later looks bad, very wet.

46118

 

Steam definitely not for show, given the noise from 45407 at the moment...

 

45407 now doing most of the work now we are out of the way of service trains

 

1st water stop,

Only disappointment so far:


Oh dear! Hehe

 

I saw a video of a run-down numberless Hall at Birmingham Snow Hill drop down on to a failed Class 47 Paddington bound train. I bet the trainspotters were punching the air with glee!

 

Several brave people out to film and take pictures of us in the horrendous weather..to the guy I just saw in the marches, I salute your dedication !!!