The Christmas Cheshireman,19/11/16.

The '5's departed from Bristol TM approx 9 late and then stopped soon after. There was a 30 min delay before the train set off once again behind a stopping unit and a heavily loaded Freightliner train. An amber light was displayed at Stapleton Road just before the start of Horfield bank. Considering the damp and icy conditions at the time the crews did well to keep the train at a nice steady pace on the steep incline to Filton Abbey Wood. <BJ>

Edit: Forgot to mention, load 12 today.

 

Picking passengers up at Cwmbran.

 

35mph over the top of Llanvihangel with only a couple of slips.

 

Looking like a lengthy water stop at Hereford. It's took nearly 25 minutes to run round to the tanker due to a backlog of service trains needing the road.

 

Away from Hereford 47 late.

 

Ludlow Racecourse, 41 down. going well, plenty of running around 60 mph

 

Approaching Shrewsbury, still around 40 late.

 

Well filled 12 coaches, and Mr Riley looking as calm as ever at Hereford .

Good to see young chaps from both West Coast and Rileys on the footplate. Training the next generation.

 

Train crews very busy at Chirk water stop. Just left for Chester.

 

A couple of shots from Tram Inn and Dinmore Tunnels.

 

On time at Shrewsbury.

 

Three shots today of the Fives including Llanvihangel from a standing start at Abergavenny and crossing Cefn Mawr viaduct.

 

Craven Arms water stop, on time. Both loco's on fine form.

 

Two shots of the Fives at Cefn Viaduct and departing Chester

 

Brilliant video. Hint of a slip from the leading locomotive. And what about the window hangers? That's the Christmas spirit chaps!!

 

Delayed at water stop, advised low water pressure from tanker.

 

Hopefully we can miss out the water stop at STJ, no need for it imo with a second stop at Pontypool.

 

Away 30 late.

 

Nice one Austin, sky looked a bit heavy at Cefn .

 

Best I could do from today, approaching the site of Haughton Sidings south of Gobowen almost an hour behind schedule.