46233 - Cathedrals Express to Worcester 17/08/17

The PRCLT don't like her over worked ! It's quite a well known fact. In all the times she's been up Shap I can't recall her going at her designed pace. The videos above proved that she was worked pretty well up Sapperton, so maybe you're right about the loosening of the leash !

 

Didn't think she was working that hard yesterday. Only 11 on; light load for a big Class 8. Bit different to the way 5043 was worked with a similar load last year.

 

My video from yesterday, captured at South Stoke, roaring up Sapperton and racing through Goring Gap:



James

 

Yes indeed. Would have loved to have done this trip as I like to do anything and everything on the Southern line to Reading. Even non-gricing friends asked if I was interested in this one, but I assumed it would involve diesel so declined. By time I got gen on here it would be steam alone it was too short notice to book time off work.

Whilst gen on Nat Pres is very helpful, I really need confirmation from the railtour operator as to which trips are planned to be steam-only, and which will have a diesel involved, as Steam Dreams themselves did in an email prior to the Galatea trip back in March.

Day off work/lost earnings - plus £100+ ticket price for steam, you bet. But for shoveage, forget it!

Forgot to add - delighted to see Duchess in gauge including the Waterloo to Reading line which has had a lot of platform works recently. If it fits through Winnersh Triangle then surely everything else does
OK - I know its not as simple as that...

 

Presumably there'll be a Duchess vs Sapperton round 2 on 10th October's Cathedrals to Gloucester.

 

Just seen photos and videos of the later BR crest being applied to the tender of 46233 and also a yellow cabside stripe, which the loco will display in the last months of it's green livery. Due to go back into LMS crimson after Chistmas.

 

Not to work south of Crewe?

 

That's a pity as she's due to run to Salisbury next month and there could be a few disappointed punters!

 

The society have been more flexible in where they operate her these past few years. I hope they stick with that as their plan because in my opinion the Duchess is a "delight" whether she is in her 1938/1940's or 50/60's guises. I hope their are plans for her ticket to be a ten year ticket.

 

We live in hope