Whistling Ghost V 17/06/17

Nothing moving at Swindon according to OTT.
Edit: 1C07 on the move. 1L34 still at Swindon (cause of delay?).

 

Reported as an HST power car fire at Swindon.

The Duchess passed Westerleigh Jn. 56 mins late with an HST following closely behind. <BJ>

 

At Fenny Compton and Kennington in the sun this morning

 

The Duchess in the sun at Lower Heyford this morning:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/davestubbings/34516656914/in/dateposted-public/

 

Lost another 20 at or around Parkway - now pulled it back to around 65 late

 

Nice to see and nice to meet you all be it briefly this AM. She did sneak up on us didn't she!!

 

Apologies if this is a stupid question - does the same WCR crew work out and back - if so it's going to be a long hot day and hard on the eyes too.

Mike

 

The complete run from Solihull - perhaps a little longer and slower than originally planned after the problems at Swindon earlier.

 

But the schedule allows for around 5 hour break at BL so would this constitute a sufficiently long break? And if so does that mean a late departure so that the crew can have a long rest period?

 

It will be a different crew on the way back, I know for sure it is a different guard to the one on the way down.

 

Thanks. I was playing devils advocate really. I would hope no-ones going to roaster a footplate crew for an 18 hour day regardless of any breaks.
Useful to know. I am planning on going to Oxford station for the return. Not common for a non stopper.

 

For those hoping to see the Duchess on the return leg to Solihull, the train departed from Minehead at 17:10 with WSR steam traction. <BJ>

 

I think one of the rules is that the day mustn't be more than 12 hours from start to finish - which would certainly be the case for this tour regardless of break time in the middle, but someone more knowledgeable can confirm. It certainly isn't normal for a tour to be manned by a single crew except for shorter ones such as the Surrey Hills Pullman run.

 

Progress so far from Bishops Lydeard to Bristol after a great run maintaining low to mid 70's most of the way. Peaking 75 exactly just after Yatton

 

A few shots from this mornings stop in the middle road at Leamington Spa. Noted Ray Poole driving and Alastair Meanley on the shovel but If anybody recognises the other two footplate crew could they let me know please?

http://evergreen.zenfolio.com/p921695447#h8da3183b

 

Duchess at Leamington this morning:



Charging up through Harbury with ease:

 

Brilliant pictures there

 

Hi. Problems ahead between Swindon and Didcot...
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_disruptions/today.aspx
https://traksy.uk/live/M+25+OXFD+22+1Z25
Stephen