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Welsh Borders Explorer: 29/04/18 (Saphos)

Discussie in 'What's Going On' gestart door Big Al, 18 apr 2018.

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  1. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Currently heading south after the Saphos experience. The rake of coaches is very smart inside and out. Nothing tatty anywhere. It looks to me to be a new standard of comfort. And on a cold day the diesel did its job and kept us warm but not unpleasantly so. And that's all it did. It was also nice to look out of clean windows although I had forgotten about the reflection hazard spotting mileposts.

    So to Braunton. I was in coach 9 of 9 and heard nothing. The climb of Gresford was good with 29 minimum and we wound up to 70+ a few times.

    I gather that Braunton will also be on the Marches trip and if the load is more than today then there may be issues. I say that because we really struggled to get away from Telford that is uphill on a curve. The diesel remained quiet but there was communication between back and front to check that the driver was confident we wouldn't delay the following service train.

    So, all in all, today was good at £45 but not worth it at full price. And the diesel? Well if the train is viable at this load the enthusiasts should be ok re shoveage but I think that you'll have to take each of these trips one at a time. The test will be the Marches.
     
    Big Al, 29 apr 2018
    #21
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  2. 84H

    84H Member

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    Here is my effort, looking down onto Wellington Station. 8mins early at this stage. Good to see quite a few people out to watch her. 622EFC0E-4306-4626-B105-E303E272261F.jpeg
     
    84H, 29 apr 2018
    #22
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  3. g4pfk

    g4pfk Member

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    g4pfk, 29 apr 2018
    #23
    84H en CLN_WVR vinden dit leuk.
  4. LMarsh1987

    LMarsh1987 Part of the furniture Friend

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    A decent show up Chirk Bank, and the Bullied looked in fine form. Roll on the Marches.
     
    LMarsh1987, 29 apr 2018
    #24
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  5. David likes trains

    David likes trains Member

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    Two photos of today's tour:
    [​IMG]
    Laying down a smoke screen over Chirk Viaduct.
    [​IMG]
    Speeding through Albrighton in front of plenty of onlookers.
     
    David likes trains, 29 apr 2018
    #25
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  6. walkerp1

    walkerp1 New Member

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    walkerp1, 29 apr 2018
    #26
    Copper-capped, Landshrew, Mick45305 en 2 anderen vinden dit leuk.
  7. Pendle Witch

    Pendle Witch New Member

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    Trip fine, if a little rushed, felt fellow passengers would have liked a break in Shrewsbury. No route guide, very poor timing sheet with only basic times and only one per table of four, there were 4 single travellers on our table but only got one to share between us. Diesel right behind coach G annoying. but the worst was couldn't hear the steam engine at all (sealed box coach), Oh and the constant Hiss of the air powered doors. Needs a lot of improvements for future trips as they will not attract people at full price. Good that we got Braunton and the new Norton Bridge route.
     
    Pendle Witch, 29 apr 2018
    #27
  8. 30567

    30567 Part of the furniture Friend

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    Thanks to you and @Big Al. And just checking--- the only Mk 1 coaches were the diners?
    .
     
    30567, 29 apr 2018
    #28
  9. Kylchap

    Kylchap Member

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    Looks and sounds really good in the photos and videos. If the diesel was only doing the heating, that makes it load 12 equivalent, doesn't it? A good load for that route.
     
    Kylchap, 29 apr 2018
    #29
  10. MellishR

    MellishR Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    I was in coach B, the second dining coach, but the fourth in the rake and the last of the Mk Is. Plenty of sound from the loco going up Gresford Bank, and some in a few other locations. Blowing off very audible several times. Max speed about 71 after Shrewsbury, but only just over 60 anywhere before that and, surprisingly, below 60 all the way from Bushbury Jn to Crewe.

    Edit: if the figures in post #45 are correct then mine above were mistaken. I wasn't timing seriously but only looking sporadically at a speed app on my phone. On past trips that has agreed fairly well with the old fashioned quarter-mile posts method, but perhaps not this time.
     
    Last edited: 30 apr 2018
    MellishR, 29 apr 2018
    #30
  11. Landshrew

    Landshrew New Member

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    Great shot at a nice angle. That's me crouching down with the blue backpack, she caught me quite off guard chatting to those other two gents! Here are my offerings from Chirk Viaduct/Aqueduct crossing the border and at Wellington. Great run for her after 9 months off mainline duties. DSC_1885 (2).JPG
     

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    Landshrew, 29 apr 2018
    #31
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  12. gricerdon

    gricerdon Well-Known Member

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    Sounds ok but doesn't encourage me to book any future trips
     
    gricerdon, 29 apr 2018
    #32
  13. acorb

    acorb Part of the furniture

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    States in latest SR that LSL are working on restoring further Mk 1's and eventually the Steam rake will be all Mk 1's - seems a little patience is needed with this one.
     
    acorb, 29 apr 2018
    #33
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  14. staffordian

    staffordian Well-Known Member

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    34052 (34046) at Stafford this afternoon...

     
    staffordian, 29 apr 2018
    #34
  15. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Correct but I am impressed with the standard of restoration of the rolling stock. Can only speak for Standard Class but I have to say that it makes the Riviera set look quite tatty.
     
    Big Al, 29 apr 2018
    #35
  16. Spike.

    Spike. New Member

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    Hopefully here is my shot of Braunton at speed passing Sytch Lane, Mill Meece, between Stafford and Crewe. I say hopefully as this id my first post and that i have done it correctly.
     

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    Spike., 29 apr 2018
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  17. mattspencer

    mattspencer Well-Known Member

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    My video from today's trip at Wardle, Walcot, Cosford and Mill Meece
     
    mattspencer, 29 apr 2018
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  18. admin

    admin Founder Administrator

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    Any comments on the Antimacassars on the trains?
     
    admin, 29 apr 2018
    #38
  19. Matt37401

    Matt37401 Nat Pres stalwart

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    What livery were they? ;)
     
    Matt37401, 30 apr 2018
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  20. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Yes, there are antimacassars at all seats including in Standard where, it appears, passengers are no longer the second rate group from the point of view of attention to detail. Another stylish touch is that the coach letter is not a piece of paper stuck in the corner of a window but what appears to be a transparent transfer letter. Makes it look as though it has been etched on the glass.

    I spoke to one of the loco crew who said that the coach restoration workshop is something else and given the rolling stock awaiting attention on the site, it may be the case that, over time, more 'traditional' Mark 1s may become available for the steam charter part of the business. Either way, Saphos does seem to have 'arrived' and who wouldn't want to wish them well? As always, the market will decide.

    On a practical point, in Standard the fixed tables and arm rests between seats do make it difficult for folk to slide into their seats if they are large or with limited mobility. I say this because it was the one point mentioned by a couple opposite me who were in neither of the above categories but were clearly appraising the whole package. And they also mentioned the lack of opening windows.
     
    Big Al, 30 apr 2018
    #40
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