Pathfinder (Eastleigh)-Gloucester-Shrewsbury with Tornado 23/11/19

Timings have appeared for this one (steam on and off at Gloucester) :

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U10512/2019-11-23/detailed

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U10516/2019-11-23/detailed


ECS and turning moves at Shrewsbury:

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U10510/2019-11-23/detailed

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U10514/2019-11-23/detailed

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U10515/2019-11-23/detailed


As this looks like a DBC operation,I'm assuming the diesel will stay at Gloucester?

I wonder when 2 LNER pacifics (using historical licence in the case of 60163) were last at Shrewsbury within an hour or so of each other.

 

Loco & PO Brake Kidderminster - Gloucester and return:
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U10513/2019-11-23/detailed
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U10517/2019-11-23/detailed

Cheers, Neil

 

I'm on this one. It's a shame that No 9 (assuming her wheel repairs are completed on time) is going to Crewe during the layover as it would have been nice to try and see both of them together at Shrewsbury.

 

Not going to be a long train. 3 Diners; 1 First Class +; 1 First; 2 Standards. Plus Kitchen Car; presumably a Generatore Car. Not sure if there is a Buffet as well. So 10 or 11 including POB.

 

How times have changed, is only a couple of standards now the norm for steam tours?

 

With Pathfinder/Torbay Express usually. Numbers wise, 2 Standards if full will be 128 passengers; 3 Dining 126. So just as many passengers as diners. WCR normally have 2 Stds, with Std Seats in the Buffet and the Compartment Brake if bookings are high, which they often are on RTC trains.

 

Looks like it might not be that well loaded. Still availability in all classes except first plus.

 

Not surprised if you look at the steam mileage on RTC's Ludlow Train and the lower price. I'm sure the enthusiasts like us booked on it in the belief it would be No.9, diesel free, as many of us are trying to do as many miles as we can behind No.9 before we lose it. But now with the diesel on the rear, assisting is inevitable with load 14+. No interest for us.

I doubt many are like us and can afford to book on this train for a proper steam day out despite having paid for 2 tickets on the Ludlow.

 

It will be lightly-loaded, and Pathfinder are plugging it on their FB page more than I can remember them doing for any other trip, so bookings are clearly down. With the uncertainty over No 9 on the Slough trip I'm glad I booked on this one to be honest. It should be another excellent day out with Tornado, and on one of my favourite routes as well. I'll be in Coach A, joining at Gloucester.

 

Load 9 incl. Gen + POB.

 

Away from Glos 12 late.

 

Flew through Abergavenny

 

70 thro Abergavenny and 41 min, 42 under the bridge at Llanvihangel.

 

Generator Car packed up. Apparently we're getting a Class 67 heating unit for part of the return journey.

 

Two steam charters within 11 minutes at Abergavenny !!
44871 from Slough - Bristol Parkway - Shrewsbury (pass Abergavenny 10:50).
60163 'Tornado'. Steam hauled from Gloucester to Shrewsbury (pass 11:01). <BJ>

 

deleted

 

Powering past Winstanstow..........



Cheerz,

Alan

 

My footage of Tornado doing 70mph through Abergavenny Station sounding as great as ever. also in the video is Black Five no. 44871 which was 10 minutes in front of the A1. Enjoy.

 

Good start out of Salop with Tornado on 10 plus 67008 providing train heat but not assisting.

Sutton Bridge Jn 3m 27s 20 mph
Condover 10m 05s 42 mph
Dorrington 12m 41s 53 mph
Minimum 35
Church Stretton 22m 01s 44 mph
67008 detached at Hereford.
Thro Pontrilas in 16m 08 at 68 mph,
Max 71 after fell to 51 before breasting Llanvihangel at 52 in 23m 26s.
Minmae of 62 then 64 on the broken climb past Nantyderry.
All very impressive considering less than ideal rail conditions.
Timed from rear coach.
Now watering at Magor on the up relief.

 

Trust the passengers enjoyed the trip to Shrewsbury today, it really has been a miserable wet and dull day.

Not altogether a day for serious pictures :-
Crossing cottage at Craven Arms




and arriving into the gathering night in Shrewsbury station.