VT Cotswold Explorer 18/05/19 & 1/06/19

Still not getting this diesel thing. Comments again that the diesel was 'idling' and doing nothing. Ben's statement on the Llandudno Thread seemed to answer all the questions. It's there when it's needed the operating mode is:

- When running a Class 47 in vacuum mode on the rear of a train, it must be in 'notch 1' in the direction of travel. I am told that left to it's own devices, 'notch 1' will propel a LE Class 47 to about 30mph on straight and level track.

Was the ETH being used on the train? or was the diesel there for shunting, because Ben's statements don't suggest it is there as a possible rescue locomotive.

Looking forward to seeing some complete logs as down here in South Wales we know our Castles and how they perform with a variety of loads. So far no-one is sharing them on Nat Pres.

 

It’s 117.5 tons so now I have the total train tare train weight

 

I would have said from performance that the DL was just deadweight but I will have all the answers for my next but one column. Don (aka Rottweiler when I was in business so I am told)

 

Some shots from Eckington, Culham and Combe

 

Yes Ray has confirmed that it was deadweight and only there for operational reasons. It was turned on (not notch 1) for heat at the start and just ticking over. This was a true pure steam day Graham so join Vintage trains charters provided Ray Churchill is driving. He does not like the DLs being there and that’s to put it mildly. The operating instructions are not to call for assistance unless really needed. The load was 392.7 tons tare and 425 tons full. 7029 not yet fully run in so It will get better.

 

Thanks Don. Spoken to Ray many times over the years and know what he thinks of diesels on the back of trains. I do have an aversion to manned diesels on the back of trains as they spoil the performance on the day. Would prefer Clun with 8/9+Reg topping Sapperton in the high 30s anyday to a 25ish with the deadweight of a diesel on the back. Think Ray said the diesel will be on the Marches on Saturday which is a real shame as it's our home route and we love it. The Hereford shunt to the siding south of the station has been done with no problems without a diesel for donkeys years, so the operational reason must be the drag to Dorridge in the morning. Probably won't do any until the starting points don't require a drag.

 

I'm sure that 99% of the passengers aboard the train on Saturday thoroughly enjoyed their day.
Vintage Trains is a new TOC. I wish them well. <BJ>

 

Glad they did as loadings don't appear that strong. We met folk we used to see on the 'old' VT on the Cumbrian Mountain Express on Saturday; 11 behind a Jubilee over Shap, the S&C and Wilpshire. Proper steam. Then of course there was the Lakelander with a Brit with 12 on the Crewe-Carlisle road followed by a Black 5 from Carlisle to Carnforth down the coast. Some folk are easily pleased.

 

Some folk are hearing the same old story again and again.

If Vintage Trains or any other operator informs us that a particular train is to have a diesel at the rear we have the choice to book or not.
As we all know Ray Churchill and indeed Vintage Trains, will not haul a diesel around all day long just for the hell of it. It's a necessity. <BJ>

 

so how can other tocs manage without

 

7029 made a fine sight at Combe on Saturday evening - shame the sun didn't play ball though

Cotswold Castle by Stephen Dance, on Flickr

 

I really struggle to see where a sense of perspective has gone in some over all this. A new TOC are taking the right steps to establish themselves on the big railway. Come on people, the options over booking are there!

 

Could have swore I saw a diesel behind a Steam Dreams railtour recently.

Oh yes, RYTC from London to Weymouth. There's another one.

Oh yes, Saphos from Bristol to Weymouth this summer. There's another one.

The list goes on. <BJ>

 

I think that’s a bit hard Graham. It was pure steam with equal 11 for 425 tons. Yes there were other attractions that day but I thought long and hard before making my decision to support Vintage and it paid off with an excellent run.

 

Each to their own Don. Good to have the choices available to us. Weight equivalent to 11 but not train equivalent to 11. With 11 carriages one or two are a curve behind on the reverse curves causing a nice drag effect. I support VT in a different way by spending £380 on tickets for the 25th of May's WME and the 1st of June's Cotswold Explorer with no intention of travelling.

 

Very magnanimous Graham. I don’t have that kind of spare money but I have booked on the Steam Dreams Worcester trip tomorrow which should be pure steam both ways over Sapperton

 

Apology as I am not clear how to begin a new thread. I have heard a rumour that 01/06/19 Cotswolds Explorer has been cancelled. Any news out there?

 

Well it’s not showing as an upcoming event on the Vintage Trains website or their Facebook page.........

 

Picking up from the 18/5 7029 thread ....

I've heard that rumour that it's not running as well.
It must have been a very late decision as the schedules are still live on RTT.

Cheers, Neil

 

Now showing “This service was cancelled throughout due to a delay not investigated (OU).” on RTT.