Torbay Expresses 2017

Nice trip down. Performance on hills wasn't quite at top level, unsurprisingly given the conditions, but on the levels good speed was maintained and it is much more enjoyable to be in the train looking out than vice versa today!

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What could have the meeting of the two steam tours at Tiverton Loop .

 

Wayne judged it perfectly on Whiteball bearing in mind the dreadful weather plus 12 on for 465 tons. Once in Whiteball tunnel Clan Line accelerated to the summit with more steam. Read all about it in the next Heritage Railway. Some lovely fast running down ti Exeter and along through Dawlish

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Yes should make clear I was impressed with the work too - the control was indeed excellent given a load of 12. No wish to impune it was sub-par - just exceedingly wet! Even for Devon!

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Here’s my video of the run on the 3rd September 2017, taken at Dawlish on the down run. Good job the tide was out, apalling weather so just filmed one clip today.

 

Cracking run up Whiteball, measured 18min 22 sec Exeter to MP 174 with 62mph at summit.

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My efforts from today , first running towards Whiteball , then Tiverton Loop and two shots of the return at Burlescombe , all shot in lovely rain .

 

Yes that climb will live long in the memory. The whole return run was a masterful performance in conditions which though not as bad as the morning were still poor. Another superb day out with the current king of the main line. Also many thanks from a certain young man from Ireland whom I hadn't met for many years who diligently called out the mileposts in the gloom if the return journey.

 

Agreed that it was a superb day out with 35028. Good competition with Tornado for the accolade of King of the Mainline but only in the south. To be King of the Mainline the Merchant needs to get out on the wider network. Who wouldn't love a Border Raider itinerary with 35028? or the fun that is the Welsh Marches, Bristol to Shrewsbury/Chester? Hope we get to see this in the coming years.

 

Gentlemen. This is somewhat tongue in cheek, but perhaps we should refrain from the use of the word "King" of the mainline when discussing the performances of Clan Line and Tornado. There is only one "King" of the mainline and she is due back soon in the form of 6024 King Edward 1. What is more, she has travelled the length and breadth of the UK in the past. As for the other member of the class, I think most are not expecting to see 6023 King Edward 11 anytime soon, if at all. Such a shame, but that's another story.

 

Much as I am an admirer of things GWR the Kings I have to say are simply not in the same league as Clan Line and Tornado, Which of those two should have the accolade is debatable but the Kings come a poor second. I will now retire to my garden shed and await the attack.

 

Pedant mode on: the length and breadth of Britain, perhaps, but regauging would be needed for the other part of the UK.

 

You guys do make me chuckle!

I was under the impression that "mostly" we refer to steam locomotives as being feminine...so maybe more the undisputed "Queen" of the mainline?

Though I'm sure that the King of the Castle would have something so say about that as may the Princess, Duke or Duchess...though I'm struggling to find a way of incorporating a Flying Duck into that sentence!

In my eyes all are very capable locos all of whom have put up magnificent performances through the years.

As to which one is best...

 

The rail head conditions were poor at best, it wasn't a day for breaking records for sure. I don't think I opened her up past 200psi all morning even though we were not short of steam at all. Just to give an example of how well the loco is performing at the moment the South bound climb of Whiteball was made with just 160psi in the steam chest, even though the boiler pressure was up around 240/245psi. Cut off was 35% until the speed started to drop off after Wellington (around 50mph). Then, keeping steam chest pressure at 160psi, cut off to 40 and then 45% on the approach to the tunnel. Speed was down to around 33mph at the tunnel where I opened her up on the dryer rails in the tunnel (around 190psi), where she then accelerated up over the top.
Basically we only had her at just over half power and she romped up there, effortlessly.

 

When did a GW King run in Scotland? AN

 

6024 on it's day will give them both a run for their money but the engine that will be there vying for the accolades of 'the best' is undoubtedly 71000. Pity we'll probably have to wait until 2019 to find out. This year has shown how much we've missed 35028 being out and about on trains we can actually afford to travel on. The last time we'd been out behind 35028 prior to the Torbays was Past Time Rail's the Southern Sunset to Salisbury on 22nd March 2008. Looking forward to the ACE next.

 

Fascinating. Thanks @Wayne