D1015 Western Challenger Sat 7 May 2016

What a pathetic posting.

 

Stick your headphones on, crank up the volume.

 

My efforts from today was nice to see the return of the Champion to the SW,Looking and sounding awesome as always a credit to the DTG and the mainline,
Shame idiots ruined things so you have to sit and comply otherwise id of been on it at a window all day,

Class 52 Western D1015 Western Champion Marine Parade Dawlish 7th May 2016 by , on Flickr

Class 52 Western D1015 Western Champion Rockstone Bridge Dawlish 7th May 2016 by , on Flickr

Class 52 Western D1015 Western Champion Oborne Bank 7th May 2016 by , on Flickr

 

Prepare for some Maybach heaven as Western Champion roars through Stoneycombe, Hemerdon and Upton Pyne Crossing near Exeter. Hope you enjoy.

 

A king has done it in about an hour

 

No, just a brutally realistic assessment of steam traction on NR metals based upon the recent track record. I'm a steam enthusiast through and through, but I also realise that it is increasingly difficult for it to deliver the goods on the modern railway, hence my willingness to accept compromises. I remember doing an Exeter to Penzance daytrip with steam (70013 and 44871), and D1015 diesel legs from Paddington to Exeter and Penzance to Paddington- I was quite happy to accept it, and it ensured the trip was full of enthusiasts of both persuasions. Talk about a way of guaranteeing full trains...

70013 did Plymouth-Exeter in about 59 minutes in 2009.

 

6024 did it in a gnats whisker under the hour.
Colin.

 

D1015 did catch up a unit after Newton Abbot, which we overtook at Dawlish Warren. Time to passing Newton Abbot was 41m 24s, bang on schedule.

Yes IIRC I have recorded well under 40 minutes with steam, mighty moguls and 70013 spring to mind.

From discussions with other timers clear that something was being held in reserve.

On the return speed was 16 mph thro St Davids tunnel, some waiting passengers at Central had their fingers in their ears!

Max 62 after Pinhoe falling to 53 at Talaton then 73 max after Feniton. Restrained 82 max down Honiton bank.

From Chard loop pathing stop up to 60 before Hewish falling to 58 at the summit. 86 max before Yeovil.

Unexpected sig stop at Sherborne and sustained 36 on the 1:80 afterwards. 85 in dip after Templecombe, 68 min out of the tunnel then 84 thro Gillingham and 63 min at Semley. 84 max before Salisbury.

SAL to BAS 32m 39s. 58 at Porton, 64 Allington Jn and 68 at Hampshire Gap. Max 92 in dip before Andover. Thro Worting Jn in 29m 33s.

BAS to WAT in 52m 56s. 90 max at Fleet then checks. I've done it 5 mins quicker with 34027! But RT at WAT.

Thoroughly enjoyable day. Minor downsides were the stop in Mutley Tunnel and undue faffing at Meldon.

 

More than a gnats whisker, 6024 did Plymouth-Exeter in 58m 6s !

 

A couple of shots from me of the outward leg at Crofton and Langstone Rock.

 

Heres my video of the tour,with the new rule about no vidoing from windows in force I only have a few clips plus audio of the climb from Exeter St Davids to Central.
I have to thank everybody involved in making theis happen, DTG for such a brilliant machine,the crews who did such a great job ,Pathfinder for running it and GW and Network Rail for letting us run before the stopper at St Davids..

 

Nice work with the on board soundtrack, without sticking anything out the window, how did you get that?

 

Shame idiots ruined things so you have to sit and comply otherwise id of been on it at a window all day,
Class 52 Western D1015 Western Champion Marine Parade Dawlish 7th May 2016 by , on Flickr

Class 52 Western D1015 Western Champion Rockstone Bridge Dawlish 7th May 2016 by , on Flickr

Class 52 Western D1015 Western Champion Oborne Bank 7th May 2016 by , on Flickr[/QUOTE]
The reason for the window ban has something to do with the West Coast thing and some mud slinging apparently and an alleged staged photo on another Pathfinder tour with somebody out of a door window down to their waist that was sent to the ORR .

 

No need to put a microphone outside there is an area of still air just by the leading edge of the window, learnt this trick from the late Peter Handford's book on sound recording.
It works and it does not upset anyone by breaking rules.

Cheers Dave

 

Sorry - my question about whether there was a diesel on the back was supposed to be very tongue in cheek and vaguely humorous (think I was standing in for Buseng) - however it has clearly failed on all counts. A reminder to self how humour doesn't work in email/postings.

Mike

 

I was in coach B so quite near 1015.. I just opened the quarter light and held the microphone of my Sony FX1E as close to the window as I dare..

 

I saw the funny side of it.

 

I think everyone saw the funny side, but you could have added a nod and a wink

I am sure those on board wanted to be sure the Western was doing all the work, not a modern(ish) box on the back!

IIRC, BR was more nervous about allowing heritage diesels on the main line than steam, too many techie things to go wrong.

Really pleased we had unassisted Western haulage. Hats off to all those who made it happen!

 

Found this in-cab video on sea wall: