The Cambrian Coast Express - 5th & 8th June

To me, it's difficult to think of a reason for such a marked difference in approach within the same trip.

46115 was apparently allowed to do its job, yet Scotsman wasn't. Surely the NRM aren't insisting it's pushed around to reduce wear and tear, are they? Or is there a problem with it we don't know about? Or is it perhaps down to individual crew's confidence or ability?

It would be interesting to know the real reason.

 

Mike, WCR could operate a triple headed class 8 train and still the 47 would get on the rear ! Standard practice at the moment.

 

Iver, in the heat of the night, and I was ready for its appearance on the up ML this time.

 

I don't buy that either, but I think the big issue at present is the trespassing and all these station restrictions, which clearly will dent timings, I think that's causing the need for the heavy assistance. The last decent run from Scotsman, was it's first offical mainline run on the WCME, since then there's been nothing that stands out !

 

Being pushed through Swindon... the original photo was rather washed out, so a bit of editing was required. Not the shot I was after, but hey ho... always next time?!



James

 

Mucho problemo

 

Regarding the use of a diesel on Sunday. The pathing over the Chilterns was exceptionally tight with service trains times being altered to give a close to doable path. Despite this a Chiltern service still failed ppm as a result of time lost in running by the special.

 

46115 sets things alight and is banned until sorted - not a huge problem as can be replaced on subsequent trains?
60103 sets things alight and is banned until sorted - huge problem as is usp for many trains coming and lots is riding on it for tour companies and NRM, plus negative pr could be dreadful.

FWIW many of the viewers at Swindon were suitability amused that the pride of the LNER fleet needed assistance through the station.....

 

Even so, it is running, the pride of the GWR is still in bits.......... Still at least the copper bit is being kept shiny.

 

Here's the Scot at Mostyn yesterday, thankfully not making much exhaust. The early timing from Holyhead meaning the sun angle was on the front for this shot by some of the dwindling number of semaphores on the NW coast.


Yes after Chester there was a lot of exhaust on the climb to Beeston and Tarporley.



And for the main event very little from Scotsman at Steel Heath



When I arrived here there were only two people present, that grew to about 40 by the time the train came mostly locals and most of whom knew when the train was due, so much for the secrecy. Nobody hereabouts strayed onto the track as far as I could see.

Further south however around Ludlow every vantage point was taken and roadside parking along the A49 was at a premium, I looked briefly at the crossing at Ashford Bowdler village where the small crowd had strayed onto the trackside by the crossing, not dangerous then but illegal and who knows what they would have done as the train came, so I left but while I was there the barriers were lowered and raised again, was this an attempt to attract peoples attention ?.
I settled for the bridge at Wooferton eventually but even there, there were strange happenings as the southbound starter was lowered and raised several times, interlocking perhaps to activate the Ashford Bowdler barriers ?.

While that was the only trespass issue I saw the general public interest is evidently still very high, we can only hope that it eventually subsides before there is a serious incident. As for the loco working, by the time Scotsman worked south of Crewe, the temperatures across Shropshire, where it has been largely hot and dry for well over a week, were into the upper 20s so I wasn't surprised the loco didn't appear hard worked.

 

H'mmm, not that many weeks ago while standing in the pouring rain, my trousers wicking water up from the puddle that surround me, alternately watching the FS crawling along or being pushed by a tartily dressed 47, I seem to recall the one thing that didn't cross my mind was "fire risk"

 

The way it came up the 1 in 125 out of Kettering last sat', toped at about 25 mph ,and taking 16mins for the 8 miles to Corby and loosing a lot of time to York on a easy schedule,yes I'm beginning to think confidence and ability theory .In single chimney days in the 1980s I,ve seen it down to little more than walking pace on the S and C more than once due to poor steaming ,this was with drivers and fireman who had probably worked on the class in steam days ,but on the conversion back to double chimney, this seemed to be cured. There was no black smoke what always seem to come with poor steaming on Sat. Drivers that only work over a route now and again must have some affect ,there are only a couple of steam runs over the Midland each year.

 

Have to say, 47580 is certainly earning its corn, racking up the miles with little sign of fuss, drama or issues.

 

Don't forget also that 60103 would be in a different NR zone (I assume) once it got onto ex GWR metals, who are possibly more concerned about fire risk.

 

The mooing scotsman? The bovine fraternity sounded very pleased at Scotsman's arrival. Either that or reminding the humans to stay out of their field.

Kind regards,
Chris

 

Possibly although I have no evidence to support my idea and no idea what the weather has been like in the area of the GWR main line? However (although I do say so myself) makes more sense that the idea that WCRC are just doing it to raise more money (which would actually go to the owners of the Class 47 - but then again I don't have a problem with WCRC)

 

Some video in and around Swindon if you can bear the music!

 

But to be fair they work for WCRC and slurring of WCRC is apparently entirely acceptable on here based on numerous previous threads!