60009 - West Somerset Steam Express 19/08/17

The diesel loco has returned light engine to Southall. The passengers aboard can now enjoy a diesel free tour to the WSR.
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50611/2017/08/19/advanced

The charter has 11 coaches again today and has been reported as being the same coaching stock as last week. <BJ>

 

Just seen 60009 depart Slough 1 min down- spirated departure. No diesel on the back. Strange noise coming from the front end. Fingers crossed!

 

Through Kintbury 6 down, running well, strange noise is a stuck drain valve

 

As seen this morning at Towney Crossing, Padworth

 

One hopes the stuck open drain cock malaise has not been passed to USA now that Scots Guardsman has finished for the time being.

 

We left 5 minutes early at 1710 and then took just 6 minutes to change locos at BL

 

Reason for D1010 working the tour from Bishops to Minehead isn't because of a lack of steam traction, it's because of a time constraint meaning we can't convert from vacuum to air due. We needed 40 minutes for the procedure but only have 20 so therefore we get the diesel. Just been confirmed by the train manager.

 

So in that six minutes gricerdon did they also change from vac brake to air brake or was the train vac braked back to Tysley? If it was done in six minutes that must be some sort of record. Past experience has shown that there is nearly always some issue when you swop from vac to air and it is rarely a simple departure, the guard often needs to go back and pull some of the chords again. Apart from last week, when it was on air all day of course, I can not remember ever getting away from BL at the first attempt on the return leg of a WSE.

 

According to UK Steam the VT set is vacuum braked.

 

Kintbury, H&S warning, dont have your headphones on, the chime will shatter your eardrums

 

Would think its a fair bet being as VT only has vac fitted steam locos. Assume their 47 is dual braked though.

 

Heading for Swindon this evening and hoping for another 'rare blast'. I know the schedule shows platform 4 at Swindon but as this is, I believe, the DOWN main I think it's impossible!

 

As stated above in several posts, one coach (5229) is air braked only so only D1661 or D1010 could work it forward. As it happens, lack of steam traction means D1661 is working the 1105 BL-MD and 1530 return.

 

Taken just outside Westbury this morning.

 

I almost stood where you are - went for the 2nd bridge down instead

 

Hopefully not too much pedantry but it's quite possible to route up the Down Main through - platform 4 at Swindon. Swindon resignalling last year saw a new Up direction signal installed London end plat 4.

 

Fully booked according to the TE website.

 

'The Sunset Streak'

60009 races towards Castle Cary at Blackworthy Hill and catches the evening glint...



James

 

Westbury on way out
Castle Cary, Cole, Frome on return
Tried to get to Melksham but traffic beat us!