Devon Belle A1SLT/ UKRT 2nd April

some photos of 60163 at exeter at http://keyhamtrain.weebly.com/

 

Every age has it's downside and in the 60s was an evil liquid called keg beer.

 

Here are the results from my travels to the South West yesterday. Pirbright Junction ( with that radio mast I wouldn't have stayed here but had no time to move on. I did spot a much better shot at Frimley as I passed where they have taken out a lot of trees), Tisbury and on the way back, Bruton and Gt. Cheverall. The sun disappeared for the return journey which was unfortunate but an enjoyable day.

 

Note also the lack of clag

 

My footage from yesterday, was certainly a lovely day for it. Locations include: Tisbury, Cranbrook Station and Sampford Peverell.

 

It certainly did coming up the 1 in 81 from Bruton, I had to quickly change shutter speed when I heard how fast it was approaching

 

These images and videos really demonstrate how the A1 steam trust have got it right. Tornado is a loco really fit for the 2st century - a supremely powerful, go anywhere pacific with quick acceleration - that can cruise with heavy loads at over 70mph with ease; & by heck it looks the business too! That apple green really suits it (sorry BR green fans..) Let's hope at some point it can have it's arbitrary 75mph limit lifted so it can really mingle with today's service trains. I can't wait for the P2, but will it have the same route availability and be as useful as the A1?

 

My shot of Tornado on the return yesterday at Brewham Summit.

 

Looks like everybody has delivered a great day out to the passengers on board, Loco performed faultlessly, did what it had to, on todays restricted railway.

Well done to all concerned, shows it can be done...

 

Cearly, the fresh supply of coal at Exeter transformed the steaming of the loco. I am told that she postively flew over GW metals.

 

Dont forget party 7s

 

Some very nice shots from earlier in the day when the sun was out - the Tisbury shots are lovely

Unfortunately I could only get out in the evening for the return and saw Tornado at Crofton, by which time the light was appalling. Was rather expecting a gain in time after the Frome stop and she duly came through Crofton around 14mins early. My shot is nothing to write home about, but I'll upload it when it comes out of the camera

Some more sad news for linesiders familiar with the Berks and Hants - the occupation bridge I was standing on at the west end of Crofton curve, overlooking the former Grafton East Junction is apparently soon to be removed by Network Rail to enlarge the yard area on the old junction site. Spoke to an employee of the contractor who will do the work and everything south of the cess next to the down line is being cleared - the bridge, abutments, and approach embankment are all going. Its been delayed once, but is now supposed to start next month

 

I thought the timings were fairly generous from Frome, it left there a minute late, I had to do some really determined driving to get from Bruton to Gt Cheverell, and then only beat it by about a minute.

 

Wouldn't disagree with the verb that you use there - and (unless my eyes are deceiving me) from the adornment around the headlamp it looks like somewhere en route she might have encountered a low-altitude tree too!! Oh well, I guess you can't gauge for everything.

 

I'd forgotten them. Thanks to you I'll be having nightmares again.

 

I read recently that the MNLPS is looking for extra work for Clan Line as the Pullman trips with steam have dropped to about 15 or so each year. I was on the August 2014 "Devon Belle" which was every bit as enjoyable as last Saturday's run seems to have been. I hope that once 35028 is fighting fit again, UKRT organises a few excursions around the south of England with MN-haulage. For one reason or other, I haven't been on behind steam on the main line for over a year and am getting withdrawal symptoms.

 

I think they will have to, the Pullman job pays more in steaming fees, I think, but I have read even with this there wasn't enough money in the kitty to fully fund the current overhaul. I'm sure there will be a whole feast of Bulleid work next summer ; 50 years since the end of steam on the Southern.

 

Tut, tut. You must train your spell check better than that.