60009 - West Somerset Express: 12/08/17

Outward: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50602/2017/08/12/advanced

Return (via Didcot, gauging problem at Thatcham?): http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50601/2017/08/12/advanced

James

 

Also only going as far as Slough on the return by the looks of things with the empties running straight back to Southall.

 

60009 Union of South Africa 1Z50 right time passing Heathrow Airport Jct.
Diesel has returned light 0Z50 to Southall. <BJ>
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50611/2017/08/12/advanced

 

11 on with no diesel. Sounded brilliant passing the bunch of photographers at Crofton

 

Class 47 on the WSR apparently as we have air braked stock in the rake...:-(


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Taken outside Westbury this morning.

 

Clearly either a lack of either foresight or sufficient appropriate stock at Southall.

What does puzzle me slightly is why 60009 could not continue through to Minehead. If coal/water are an issue then why not use the planned WSR steam loco as a pilot with 60009 acting purely as a vacuum/air translator loco for braking purposes?

I appreciate servicing of the A4 will be required, but given that the train is on WSR metals for six hours I'm sure that would have been achievable.

Hopefully those tour customers who choose to do so will have been given the opportunity to make the Minehead leg of the journey on WSR steam services, though capacity might be an issue.

 

will the loco fit on the turntable at minehead? as tornado had to be split to be turned and bitten visited for a gala a few years ago was smokebox first into minehead all the time other locos were turned,

 

From the RYTC website tour details.

An express steam locomotive will haul our train from London Paddington to the West Somerset Railway at Bishops Lydeard. The Heritage Railway will then provide a steam locomotive to haul our train to Minehead and back. This provides a truly fascinating day out travelling through beautiful scenery to the Bristol Channel coast.

Note the bit in red! Surely there must be some come back on this?
I would certainly pursue it if I was on the tour.

 

I would guess that the steam Loco problems encountered on the WSR in recent weeks have affected the allocation of a steam Loco for the Railtour. 6960 is currently stopped for repairs and maintenance. This leaves the two 7F's, a Manor and the 4F available for traffic. Take into account boiler washouts and 44422 being allocated to reduced loads they are a bit under pressure to have four loco's available. Another Manor will be arriving later this month to ease the situation.
Steam haulage is no doubt a priority for the WSR's own services at the moment and not an incoming charter.

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According to my ancient spotting books an A4 has a wheelbase of 60 feet 10 inches, and I believe (though happy to be corrected) that Minehead is a 65 feet table.

What you say re WSR locomotive availability is of course correct, but QB Steward has stated (on the WSR thread) the reason for diesel haulage is due to the air-brake coach in the consist.

 

Also mentioned on this thread. Saying that, I thought the WC Mk1 stock was dual braked.

 

Even I think that's a bit harsh. WSR is not responsible for the tour but is responsible for the WSR operations on a busy holiday Saturday. It must put it's limited resources into the many customers there today. The main thing is that the tour has enjoyed pure steam all the way from London to the WSR.

 

I wasn't getting at WSR, more about the coaching stock arrangement with one air brake only coach seemingly. Think that is the reason as opposed to WSR steam shortage.

 

That's right - not only was Bittern not turned during the gala but when it left the railway it went tender first as far as Westbury. I don' think the Norton Triangle existed then.

 

Return working delayed by late running Weymouth line services. 13' L Chippenham.
Following l/r 2V93 1828 WEY-BTM from Castle Cary - regulated to follow 1A94 HST from Castle Cary
2V93 delayed by crossing 2O97 1642 GLO-WEY at Pen Mill.
2O94 17' late start then loss of path through Bristol up to 24' L.

Cheers, Neil

 

No....
There is wording about substitute motive power in the T&C. I guess that applies just as much on heritage railways as on the national network.

Cheers, Neil

PS. No doubt it was heritage DL power unless WSR have hired in class 66's as back up!

 

Two clips from me today , first at Oath and for the return in low sunlight at Athelney.

 

With all due respect, with the loco having travelled from London, the more time you have to service the loco then the better! With time on your side it's far easier to carry out the tasks involved, even to actually have a chance to sit down and have a sandwich with a brew helps in preparing the loco for the return. Better to have more time than less as this is when mistakes or injuries can occur. If No.9 had travelled to Minehead, servicing could be suddenly down to 2 hours for example, I know what I'd rather have having experienced both time scales when servicing a loco.

 

Already mentioned, a 47.