RTC 'The Christmas Cheshireman' - 25/11/17

Thanks Scott, sorry about to hear about the sun swervery....

Cheers,

Alan

 

Footage of 70013 thundering past Stokesay in full sun and on full power this morning then flying through Nantwich on the return this evening.

 

Nice footage. In that last shot was one of those chaps on the wrong side of the fence, or am I mistaken?

 

A couple of scenic shots from this morning. The lack of sun at Pandy was made up for by a timely burst at Onibury.

 

It looks like it doesn't it. However, nearby is one of two foot crossings and as you can see the person standing on the wrong side of the fence was positioned by the STOP, LOOK, LISTEN board by the foot crossing.

 

On my screen I can't see a STOP, LOOK, LISTEN board, but I'll take your word for it.

 

A very lucky break in the clouds came just as the train came into view at Onibury...we'd been watching the smoke trail rise in the distance in very dull conditions!!

https://flic.kr/p/ZwhvDr

 

Brilliant. One of the shots of the year.

 

Thanks to all for kind comments on olly.Bob

 

Just wanted to add my contributions from a generally fantastic day out with Ollie. The northbound run was loud, and I mean loud! For the most part there was no discernible assistance from the 47, except in the to be expected places such as the restart from Abergavenny. Ray Poole gave us a masterclass in loco handling throughout, and with some nice weather conditions to boot.

Peter Kirk on the return wasn’t as lucky as one or two poor train regulating decisions at Craven Arms cost us badly, however thanks to skipping a full stop at Magor, we were only 5L back at Temple Meads.

Out of the 19 steam charters I have done this year, this was the only one to have a diesel on the rear. I’m certainly not phased by this, considering the volume of the Brit’s exhaust yesterday! Also it was nice to finally meet ‘Bulleid Pacific’, hope that single to Helsby didn’t go to waste!

 

The early start paid off!

 

Ollie barking loud and proud over the Marches !

 

Still not sure whether it was Peter Kirk or Mick Kelly over the North and West on the return. The latter was certainly on the handle at BTM. If anyone can clarify, that would be great. It was also good to meet you and catch up with passengers from the other trip.

Overall, the poor decision made at Craven Arms made the remainder of the day seem a bit of a mission, but thankfully, the seemingly superfluous water stop at STJn was just that, and allowed us to depart right time until the usual fun and games happened outside Bristol. I may now live at the opposite end of the country, but it's good to know that the habits of Bristol Control die hard!

I've now realised that I have actually missed 70013's gutsy outlook on life on the rails. The ticket to Helsby was put to excellent use. Lesson learned, there!

 

Come to think of it, the run between Crewe and Shrewsbury has some significance in 2017, as the locomotive emerged from its final heavy overhaul in February 1967. As Crewe-Shrewsbury was the regular running-in turn, one would have thought that 70013 ran along the line 50 years ago, thus bringing a curtain down on a small piece of railway history in the area. Whilst it was not possible to replicate such a run in February, the fact that it could be done with the same locomotive in 2017 at all is something to be thankful for.

 

I ventured north to Chester by train on Saturday in order to take some photos of the two Pacifics.
My photos can be viewed here......
http://evergreen.zenfolio.com/p631455722#h9da1f678

I'd never even heard of an "Airbus Beluga" until one flew over Cromwell! What a weird aircraft.

I hope you enjoy taking a look.

 

It flew over Llangollen on Saturday morning on its approach to Broughton. It is used to carry 'Airbus' wings to Toulouse to get joined to the other bits.

Bob.

 

A bit off topic, I was on the the moors with the dog a while ago and one flew over quite low. Fortunately I had my camera with me.

 

Without seeing the NR and Arriva delay attribution/ Control Logs, we can't say if it was wrong regulation.
The train the special was held for - 1V54 1630 Manchester Picc - Milford Haven was 7' L Sutton Bridge Jn to Dorrington but then lost time to Marshbrook, pass 32' L and lost more time to arrive Craven Arms 39' L. What ever the incident was, it has dropped off "cleared disruption" page on National Rail Enquiries. Anything further is guessing....

Also regulation further along the route has to be considered by Control who should give regulation guidance to the signalman. The steam special with the best will in the world will average about 55/60mph and from memory the next loop is Woofferton and after that Hereford. 1V54 will be averaging a higher speed than the steam special. With long block sections on the N&W , 1V54 would probably have been delayed further and caused further consequential delays and broken connections.

Cheers, Neil

 

Arrival under the steelwork that typifies Chester, and a portrait after arrival. Snow still on the tracks, almost unheard of in Chester!