5043 - The Welsh Marches - 13/08/16

Always liked Tram Inn! Like New York New York! though moving it around the country isn't a good idea.

 

Fantastic report, many thanks for a wonderfully detailed description of a memorable day! Though I beg to differ re the account of passing Kidderminster. There was a very clear view from my seat both of 7812 "Erlestoke Manor", awaiting departure at the head of the Gresley teak stock on the 10.30 to Bridgnorth, whilst 1450 was also in steam in the yard with a brake van; it all made for a classic 'GW' scene (allowing for the 'indiscretion' of the LNE carriage stock!) I'm sorry you missed that, albeit we must all be grateful to you for having sacrificed it to concentrate on your record keeping!

 

Thanks for that. I did completely miss the busy scene at Kiddy scribbling the time and speed as we sped through the station!! C'est la vie.

 

The Castle on the Marches 13 August 2016

Once again the unmistakable bark of Great Western express steam echoed around the much changed Snow Hill station in Birmingham, ready to take passengers on the latest tour in the Vintage Trains summer programme. The Welsh Marches was to go down to Gloucester and the Severn Valley to Newport, then back up the Marches through Hereford to Shrewsbury before turning east again towards Wolverhampton. Behind No 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe were the GUV water carrier, two Mk 1 brakes, three Pullmans and four Mark 2s.

We ambled along through the suburbs of Birmingham, hitting 50 for the first time at Hagley, 60 at Blakedown and 61 through Kidderminster. We touched 63 before Hartlebury but nothing more of note until we reached the loop at Droitwich three minutes late for a water stop.

Restarting, we touched 54 before Worcester but after reaching the main south west main line at Abbotswood Driver Poole gave her the gun and we were up to 69 at Besford, 75 at Defford and continued in the 70s to the outskirts of Cheltenham. After a slow spell we touched 71 at Churchdown before a slow passage through Gloucester.

Reaching the banks of the Severn we hit 67 at Minsterworth and on up into the 70s, touching 75 at Grange Court and 74 at Westbury on Severn. Progress was less brisk on through Lydney but we were back into the 70s through Woolaston and Beachley. Slower through Chepstow, we touched 71 at Caldicot before reaching the South Wales main line, where there were no more fireworks before we turned north at Maindee on the outskirts of Newport

Our early progress was slow but we got stuck into the climb from Ponthir and reached 40 before another check near Llantarnam. Off we went again reaching 33 at Panteg before the climb slowed us to a minimum of 22 over the summit at Pontypool. Then we bucketed down through Little Mill and Nantyderry in the 60s and 70s to get a good run at the climb from Penpergwm. We slowed only gradually on the climb, still doing 62 through Abergavenny, 38 at Triley and topping Llanfihangel at 29. Down the switchback we were doing over 60 past Pandy and hit 75 again a couple of times before Pontrilas. We stayed in the 60s and 70s through to the outskirts of Hereford, where we concluded a very satisfactory morning run.

Still at the regulator after the break, Ray Poole got us away sharply, and we passed Shelwick Junction at 47 and Moreton on Lugg at 64. We were still doing 53 as we exited the tunnel at Dinmore and were up into the 60s before Leominster, passed at 60. 64 at Woofferton, 57 through Ludlow and Bromfield and 55 through Craven Arms maintained our steady progress. The long climb to Little Stretton was topped at 42 then we rattled down to the outskirts of Shrewsbury in the 60s.

Straight through on the avoiding line, we headed rather more sedately eastwards, as by this time we were well ahead of time. We had 63 at Codsall and 60 at Bilbrook but then ambled to stop 12 minutes early in Wolverhampton, where I left the train after an excellent run in fine weather through beautiful country.

12 photos are at http://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com/f731739511

Peter, on a sunny Manchester afternoon
http://www.zenfolio.com/pjhtransportpix

 

Picture of this tour approaching the outskirts of Leominster.

 

I wish I'd know all these excellent reports were going to be written, would have saved me keeping a guards journal!

 

Lovely sounds as she leaves Gloucester, little extra to listen on the end