Royal Duchy 2018

Every year so far on the outward journey the tanker has been alongside the 'shed', down at Exeter Panel End; not at the Red Cow end. Still seemed to be road access there despite the work going on.

 

As the train is basically hauled by a diesel, there is a possibility that the steam may join the train at Bristol. <BJ>

 

I believe that is the plan now. The loco is due to be stabled at Bristol SPM. The West Somerset are not expecting it apparently either.

 

37668 on rear

 

37 and coaches stabled in Kingsland road

 

OOI what's tucked in behind the 5 today? Got a friend out photographing today.

 

37706


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Thanks.

 

My video of The Royal Duchy with 44871 and diesel 37706 taken at Hemerdon:

 

Like that very much

 

We were on The Royal Duchy last Sunday and had a grand day out, despite the EE Type 3 being present. Sunday roast in The Rashleigh Arms, Charlestown was most excellent. We arrived just in time for the carvery, courtesy of the road transport provided. The beer was top notch too (Skinners Betty Stogs & St. Austell Proper Job, among others).

RTC went to extrordinary lengths to ensure that the advertised Black 5 appeared on this train. Our sincere thanks to them. Very few of the passengers we spoke to realised the locomotive had made a round trip from Carnforth especially to appear on this RD. I was initially disappointed with the 'show pony' arrangement but now absolutely believe it was the right thing to do.

One of our friends accompanying us was a long-retired time-served railwayman. He worked at 30A when D6716 arrived there new in July '61. It's fair to say that he enjoyed both locomotives in equal measure.

For me, a very different experience to my last Royal Duchy, with Tangmere in charge. The after dark 'fireworks' were amazing, but that's another story and not one to be repeated in the current dry conditions!

Very well done to all involved last Sunday, it was worth it.

 

The outward timings are up for the 2nd September. James Shuttleworth confirmed on the TBE thread that Braunton is the motive power for both the 2nd and the 16th. As Braunton's on the West Somerset Railway, the train is as advertised with the locomotive change at Taunton on the outward and at signal E481 near Fairwater Yard on the return.

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/P93108/2018/09/02/advanced

Timings for the shunts at Par are up as well:

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/P90104/2018/09/02/advanced
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/P93019/2018/09/02/advanced

then the return in the normal path:

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/P93104/2018/09/02/advanced

 

E-Ticket arrived for Sunday confirming Braunton, but we already knew that.

Any idea where it'll take water on the return? I'd guess Plymouth and Exeter, but RTT suggests there'll be a three-minute stop at Plymouth...

 

Not everybody is up to date with the news as we are at Nat-Preservation. Normally we complain at the lack of detail from promotors so it's refreshing when the tour loco is confirmed. <BJ>

 

87 Miles Par to Exeter St D is a bit optimistic unless the DL on the rear is going to assist quite a lot.
Plymouth is a poor place for taking water in the up direction. Either the loco detaches and shunts to the bay platforms for access to a road tanker or it means using the hydrant on platform 8 and rolling out and rolling up hoses along an open platform. Either way it's going to be at least 30 minutes for a water stop.

Cheers, Neil

 

I don't think there will be a DL on the back, but happy to be corrected on this. Guess we'll find out on Sunday.

 

Was there not a recent tour where water was taken at Totnes? Four tracks there allowing for through trains.