The Cambrian Coast Express - 5th & 8th June

This from Arriva Trains Wales:
14:30 Manchester Piccadilly to Milford Haven due 20:32

This train has been delayed at Leominster by 11 minutes and is now 8 minutes late at Hereford.
This is due to trespassers on the railway.

I believe this is the service in front of the charter.

 

They have just said at Hereford that it is delayed at Moreton-on-lugg due to trespassers.

 

Not too many at Nantwich, I'd say a dozen or two on the platform and a similar number on the footbridge. It wouldn't suprise me if one of these older bridges sufered under the weight of spectators. There is one over the Erewash line at Bennerley, near Ilkeston which has a sign stating "Weak bridge max loading 10 persons per span". I wonder if spectators of Scotsman's passing through the other week took much notice? I've not read any reports of its collapse, so maybe they did

Today, Scotsman was more or less on time but the purists would have been annoyed though; there was quite a bit of diesel shovage as she accelerated away over the crossing, presumably after negotiating the 30 limit.

At least the spectators were well behaved. There was an orange man with a megaphone, but he only had to ask one chap to come back after he walked past the sign at the end of the platform

I'll post a link to a video and some pictures later in case anyone is interested.

 

Seen at Moreton on Lugg. Quite late, running under light steam with "County of Essex" pushing like the clappers.

Contrary to the post above , everyone ( around 70-80 persons) at the old station site at Moreton was safe behind the fence. Even got a wave from a lady BTP officer (?)on the footplate.

...Anticlimax.

46118

 

You really have to ask why on earth the diesel is on the train. It's only load 11 after all. No part of Sunday's or today's routes would have been any problem for 45699, 46115 or 60103 and 11. The passengers should have had two days of superb steam performances. Instead they got the WCR treatment.

 

Couldn't of put it better myself!
I'm wondering where the loyalties lie with certain NP members?
Certainly not 100% steam fans that's for sure, & must have money to chuck away.

 

so where is it now update please just on place as I know we not allowed to put times as wondering if she left Bristol yet

 

It hasn't, not due to yet.
Also it's running about 30 mins late.

 

thanks will take a ride down to Swindon hopefully will see her if not yet at Bris ,,, hope fully she pass with some day light !!

 

Now 40 late at Little Mill Jn - north of Pontypool 1815

 

Perhaps a condition required by ORR as part of regaining / retaining its operating licence ?

 

Given that 60103 lost 16 minutes to the schedule between Woofferton and Moreton on Lugg I suspect there may well have been some trespass concerns. A northbound Arriva service was allowed to draw up to the Moreton home signal at walking pace before it cleared and the unit went slowly north. Maybe something had been seen "out in the country".

NR and the TOCs are not going to tolerate this sort of situation for ever, are they?

46118

 

Well, the announced at Hereford said 'in the Moreton-on-Lugg area' but that's probably quite a fair area.

Nice and sunny at Hereford.

 

It's blindingly obvious that the diesel is only on the back to wind up people and give Country of Essex a lovely day out, WCRC obviously just incur the additional costs of it being there for the sake of it.

 

Quite extensive coverage of this trip on BBC Midlands Today, towards the end of their teatime programme.Footage in Shropshire and at Hereford, and including an interview with the BTP lady inspector, I think she was on the footplate as Scotsman passed Moreton on Lugg.

Here's a puzzle. The piece included a brief shot from Moreton on Lugg taken by David Birt who was stood atop his van just a few feet away from me.
There was no TV crew there, so I wonder how he got his footage to the BBC studios so quickly? Perhaps a quick dash to Hereford where the BBC were filming? Must have been a slick operation given what time the train passed Moreton. The BBC also included a brief interview with the photographer.

Will eventually appear on iplayer no doubt.

46118

Update: Now reported "right time" after Bristol.

 

A great show from 46115 today, as it roared past Hargrave with nothing from the rear ! Scotsman, well, a shambles of a show really at Stokesay Castle ! County Of Essex well in form !

 

Seems to be a recurring theme with Scotsman's tours. Makes you wonder if the NRM have told the Tour Operators that you can use our engine as a 'Show Pony' but make sure the diesel does most of the work!

 

Away from Bristol Parkway on time at 19:13. This train has numerous gauging speed restrictions, so I guess diesel assistance has been used to provide more acceleration.

 

Well the section I was on, was heavily downhill and the driver of diesel gave it a second notch, as the train headed towards Ludlow !