Steam Dreams to Worcester: 23/05/19

Piece'a cake.

 

Sapperton Bank this evening.

 

She looked great in Worcester today

 

Looked just as good as last year's run up Sapperton in the above video, I'm sure the usual suspects might be able to confirm the speed into the tunnel compared with last years run with 45212 ?? Exact conditions and load too. We stayed close to Worcester so we could get 7029, but the Black Five sounded superb all day.

 

Presumably checked by signals as I understand it subsequently waited 10 minutes at Abbotswood before getting the main line but the quietest southbound departure from Worcester I have ever (not!) heard.

 

Here's the "Five" cruising past Claydon Road Bridge south of Ashchurch today. Decided to take out the still kit for a change on such a glorious evening. So a rare public outing for one of my stills which are usually rubbish!

 

Black 5 beast , pure noise

 

Vastly superior at the top of the bank today. 212's charge fell away by Frampton Viaduct and by mp96 1/4 we were down to 27.8; with just over 24 into Sapperton Long Tunnel.
Today 871 passed mp96 1/4 at 38; mp96 (saw it this year) at 36; and close to 35 into Sapperton Long Tunnel.

 

Couple of pictures from today - Rolling down past Thrupp and then getting done by a rogue cloud at Eckington.

 

Good to talk to you today Graham. I got 36.1 at Long Tunnel and average 35.66 through tunnel so likely minimum 35. Ray told me 44871 was flat out with full regulator and 60 percent cut off . Steaming well but dropped off slightly in the tunnel. An astonishing effort. Elsewhere some incredibly fast and noisy starts getting up to the allowed 65 mph maximum very quickly. One of my best ever days with steam since 1967. See July HR for full report

 

Glad you enjoyed your day. It'll be interesting to study your report especially for the climb from Kemble to Sapperton and in the opposite direction from Standish to the summit.

On the outward run we were at Sapperton, some 3 and a half miles from Kemble but could hear your train quite clearly departing from the station. By the time it reached us the noise was deafening.

The return journey at Frampton Mansell was equally impressive. The sight and sound of 44871 was a joy. This is main line steam at it's best.

Well done to all involved. <BJ>

 

Absolutely and a beautiful warm day as well plus excellent service of free tea or coffee all day. Things have definitely improved with Steam Dreams since I last booked with them over 5 years ago

 

Agreed Don. A quite stunning climb with a well balanced 9 coach load for a Black 5; and as you say, some excellent running to get to the 'new' max for a 5 from every restart. It's the first time I've been on a run with a 5 when the 65 has been so obviously applied. 871 was more than up to it. Fun day out right from the time we left Reading P8 and had the fun of climbing the flyover, reportedly 1in82 for 1/4 of a mile or so to mp36 3/4, the quarter mp low down on the flyover. We barked past it at at 25.7.

 

44871 races across the River Avon as it passes Eckington on the return.... just as the cloud rolled in. Obviously.



James... the bringer of cloud.

 

now flickr is back up here are a few from abbotts wood
https://www.flickr.com/photos/15931796@N00/

 

Very impressive from 44871 yesterday, it sounded superb from the restart at Kemble all the way to the tunnel. The return leg we were at Besford to see and hear the five putting the power down on the long straight away from Abbotswood, would like to know how many miles it took to get up to running speed it could only have been a few ! A great show and there was still better to come !

 

My footage from Coates, Frampton Mansell and Bourton. I hope you enjoy it!

 

My footage of her crossing Eckington Viaduct and destroying Sapperton at Frampton Mansell. Plus an added Scottish Bonus of Caledonian Railway Tank no. 419 at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway. Enjoy.

 

You need to start letting everyone know where you're going to be James, so we can go somewhere else. Still, that is a cracking reflection on the river.

 

You jest, but if you see a gold Vauxhall Corsa turn up, run... before it's too late! It'll be for your own good (and probably my good when you want to throttle me after the cloud rolls in!)

James