The Dartmouth Express. Sat. 24th June, 2017

The Dartmouth Express. Saturday, 24th June, 2017
46100 Royal Scot (ex Woking) from Bristol TM to Kingswear. Returning steam hauled to Norton Fitzwarren/Taunton on the return. <BJ>
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50716/2017/06/24/advanced
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50717/2017/06/24/advanced

 

Royal Scot 5Z39 Southall to Bristol. Sat. 24th June. <BJ>
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50714/2017/06/24/advanced

 

Is the steam taken off fairwater yard or Norton loop?

 

A light engine move from Bristol to Taunton has been created. This could be good news or is it simply one of the two diesels from the top 'n tail consist? <BJ>
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50721/2017/06/24/advanced

 

From the timings it is the leading diesel off to Taunton. Nothing about a second move around Bristol yet but the run into the bay isn't always shown. But there's no LE move from BTM to Taunton/Norton Fitz for the return in the evening showing as yet. Hopefully there will only be one diesel involved from Woking. Cool down in the South West today with threats of showers for Fri and Sat.

 

Timings show 12 minutes in morning and 18 in evening (or should that be night!) for Guildford. So I guess only one diesel involved although 12 minutes may a bit tight for a run round at Guildford from previous experience.

 

Not that likely since there are reversals at both Guildford and Westbury on the outbound run. Also isn't it the norm for diesel tours these days to have one at each end.......just in case!

 

Previous versions of this trip have operated with a Loco each end of the train on the diesel section. I travelled on the run with 60007 in 2014 from Guildford which had two Class 47's top and tailing to Taunton. As the charter starts at Woking having a Loco each end of the train saves on the run round time at Guildford.
Last year they did the same operation although 34046 had to remove one of the Class 47's from the train at Taunton as it had failed IIRC. We were booked on last year's trip until they gave us the timings and we found out that we would miss the last train back from Guildford. I see that it is a marathon day out again this time. I hope it all goes well for the passengers.

Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk

 

For operational reasons such as reversals ,not just in case.

 

I wonder at the lilihood of a diesel pushed trip again this weekend as no rain here as yet and I can't imagine the decision being left until shed departure tomorrow?

 

Talk about bad luck. The Dartmouth Express is scheduled to run on the same weekend as the Glastonbury festival and the ground is as dry as a bone. Who would ever believe it? <BJ>

 

Yeah real rotten luck!

 

A damp and cool day in the Bristol area this morning. The forecast is for cloud and the odd shower further west. Hopefully a diesel free day for participants.

News is filtering in of another railtour to the west. The Mazey Day Cornishman railtour with a pair of 37s from Worcester to Penzance. It was reported as 127 mins late at Malvern Wells due to brake problems with the loco.

xxit happens. <BJ>

 

37 tour now going Paignton apparently, one 37 replaced with 66 at Bristol

 

The class 37 charter was heading to Penzance for the Mazey Day parades. It arrived at 15:28, some 145 mins late.

The 1Z40 Royal Scot /47 charter was heading for Paignton and Kingswear. <BJ>

 

Where exactly does the steam get taken off on return, does any one know please.

 

According to UK Steam, it comes off at Norton Fitzwarren.

 

Very few reports on today's run. Is there anyone out there who can update the progress of the steam leg of the tour?

 

Well46100 stormed passed the Warren without apparent help and a fine sight it made

I travelled Taunton to Kingswear. No diesel assistance until we stalled near Churston.......
The diesel was called to assist ! Obviously,without a dead loco 46100 might have made the ascent.
The run over Whiteball was v enjoyable and the highlight for me of pausing at my home station to allow a fast Penzance HST to pass.......
Long may tours like this continue with v happy passengers and huge amounts of waving from holidaymakers!!
I would post loads more ie on GBX but most RTC threads are unbearable- if the negativity stopped there are many insiders who might be tempted to share gen. An example was the use of diesels on 60103+46100. Yes,the v very dry weather DID mean NR WERE 'keen' not to set the York area .......However,if anyone posts hot news there are demands for legal redress/ apocalypse warnings...... So info isn't shared to the same extent.
If 3 posters desisted from posting for ,say,6 monthe I suspect reports would be frequent! As much of the data comes from WCRC it might be helpful for a 6 month ban on comments against WCRC!!! I can dream I suppose
Ray Mason