Cathedrals Express to the WSR 21/08/18

A comment made about a recent charter to the WSR observed that there was little time spent at Minehead. This they thought was due to the length of time the journey took after the charter loco changeover to the WSR loco and subsequent journey to Minehead. Given the nature of the line and its speed restriction I doubt little can be done other than an earlier starting time from where ever that might be. But that probably would not be welcomed by the passengers and train crew.

 

Maybe, maybe not. Did the blurb not explain?

The WSR has, on a busy August day, re-timed some of its trains and cancelled the popular late afternoon train from Minehead to accommodate the special, notwithstanding it arrived at Bishops Lydeard same time as an Up train arrived (hence the method of loco change) and that the special must be returned to NR before 6.30pm. Quite a messy day for the WSR and its passengers and staff, but delighted to see a well loaded 9 coach special (we may hear from some of them in due course)

A day at the West Somerset seaside by steam from London might require an earlier start and a later return. Just a lil ole thing called "geography"

Steve

 

No.9 climbing past Crofton this morning. Good to see a few Nat Pres-regulars out and about...



James

 

Strange people those Nat Pressers......

Sunninghill and Crofton

 

Some shots from Martins Heron and Upton Noble

 

Between Bedwyn and Crofton:

 

Could possibly do without one of the water stop, depending on the loco and maybe reduce the time at BL both ways. One hour in Minehead simply isn't good enough.

 

You could always stick a diesel behind it, and another at the back maybe, would cut the journey time.

 

Always good to look for better ways of working. I think the dwell time at Bishops Lydeard is useful as recovery time, should the charter not arrive at Bishops Lydeard on time (either direction) for whatever reason. But yes it sometimes seems an age. Perhaps time could be saved if the charter loco was passed for working right through but the WSR can only make arrangements based on the rostered loco.

Steve

 

Appreciate the geography issues but Steam Dreams seem to love the ramble through Staines and Ascot to Reading, the departure from which was two hours after leaving Victoria! Accept that there could be pathing issues on the GW mainline in the week but must be quicker to got through Kensington Olympia and Acton if you must go out of Victoria. There can not be many tours (and I can not recall one at the moment) that had such a planned short time at its destination. Sure many late running tours have had quick turnarounds, but that is to be expected. It already has a late return so not much scope at that end, although by SD standards maybe 23:05 is early. The 08:45 Victoria path of course is the unused Belmond path that exists in the timetable.

 

Not much on a 75mph restriction path, just save a bit on acceleration away from the stops. The two recent 2 x diesel plus steam DCE's still managing to arrive only on time or a few minutes late.

 

A set down/pick up call at Watchet would allow a longer break away from the train, probably enough time for a leisurely meal and a pint or two. However, additional station calls would likely shorten the Minehead layover by a few more minutes and that probably wouldn't be acceptable. Not sure if alighting at BL was an option, but there are some agreeable food and drink outlets nearby.

 

I was being heavily sarcastic* in light of the "always something to moan about" agenda displayed on this group.

Clearly in this instance I failed miserably. Note to self: must try harder

 

My reply was rather "tongue in cheek" although it is true that unless you make it a non steam tour you can not really speed it up much at all.

 

Seen near Wick on the outward working. https://www.flickr.com/photos/79185888@N04/43464492624/in/dateposted-public/

 

Victoria likely to become the only departure point for any steam hauled trains out of London in future. The full Crossrail timetable on the reliefs and accelerated IET timetable on the fasts will take Paddington-Reading out of the equation. The fact is for the future it's either as is, a much earlier start or a diesel hauled run to a changeover point somewhere further out such as Westbury.

 

Video taken on Tuesday 21st August 2018 on the West Somerset Railway with 53808 on The Cathedrals Express (2 clips).

Also includes 7822 Foxcote Manor (1 clip) and 34052 Lord Dowding (2 clips).

 

Just before Witham

 

I've only done Minehead by train once. On that occasion we got 2.5 hours in Minehead which was about right. However note that a) There was only one water stop in each direction (Newbury Racecourse outbound and Woodborough on the return) and b) there was no loco change at BL. The main line loco (34067) worked right through although the S&D 7F was added as a pilot for the WSR.

 

I happened to notice on the Blue Anchor webcam last Saturday that a number of people alighted from the charter there. However I don't think it was booked to stop there on the return leg so I'm not quite sure what was going on.