Cathedrals Express Victoria to Worcester 15/05/18

Timings now available:

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U52447/2018/05/15/advanced
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U52452/2018/05/15/advanced

An entirely unassisted run with 45212. Nice to see SD confirming on their website there won't be a diesel for this one.

As long as I leave work on time I should make it to Shrub Hill to watch the departure!

 

ooo, Is this an unassisted return up Sapperton?

 

That's what I was told when I booked. Shouldn't be a problem for 45212 with 9. 10 would be very interesting after her showing on Upton Scudamore last week.

 

Seem to recall being told it was renowned as a strong performer at NYMR where they have more experience than most operating black fives. It also has a unique in preservation boiler arrangement I think, perhaps @LMS2968 can advise further?
The film of 44932 on the climb reminded me that it had a GTi reputation too, perhaps due again to boiler configuration, 28 elements in the superheater rather than more usual 24?

 

Load 9 today. Bob Baines on the regulator. Left RT. Unassisted today. 245 left at buffer stop.

 

Could be Ray Poole for the return leg, as he seems to do a lot of the Sapperton jobs. Should sail up with load nine.

 

Well that was a surprise she went into Platform 8 at Reading and then I assume started from rest to climb the rise of the new overbridge (not taking the path underneath) so remained on the down main/fast through Tilehurst (which meant the following HST and IET services then ran slowly through the station as I was leaving.)

 

It is said Mr Poole. He's taking train back to Didcot this evening.

 

45212 passing Pangbourne this morning.



James

 

Don't think there's a choice off P8. We did the high level, 21 as it levelled off. Got to 60 on the main by Pangbourne and held it until easing a couple of miles or so before crossing onto the relief. Nice running. Pity about the 60 limit.

 

I think you can go under the new bridge and join Reading West Jnc on the Down Relief/Slow instead of staying on the Main (but I could be wrong)

 

There is a way to dive under the new over pass and gain access to the relief line from platform 8, I wonder if it has been gauged though, especially as it meant you had to stay on the main all the way down to Didcot especially with following HST’s!

 

Only previous time I did P8 westbound was with Mayflower and we did the high level then. Avoided it off the high number platforms more than once.

 

Virginia Water today...



https://www.flickr.com/photos/alts1985/41230979985/in/dateposted-public/

 

Departing Worcester Shrub Hill this evening, Ray Poole driving.

 

With some locos there are gauge issues on the relief, I would have thought not with a Black 5, but recent tours with 60009 used the main and 70013 went through at walking pace, so could be due to that.

 

Extra hopefully short water stop at Kemble. Can't make 86 miles to Milton Jn.

 

Raw Data: Stroud 45; Bourne Viaduct 50; St. Mary's Crossing 51.2; Chalford Viaduct 40.2; Frampton Viaduct 34.9; Sapperton Long Tunnel In 24. In Kemble 1946; 31 late.