RTC Slough-Shrewsbury with 60009 - now 44871: 23/11/19

Posted about 12.25 On Facebook.

Repairs have been completed overnight and Number 9 has now resumed its journey to Southall.
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/…/O620…/2019-11-22/detailed

 

So it looks like a silly o'clock drive to Slough after all !

 

Well done though!!

 

Hang about... See LE move thread. Stopped for past 30 minutes near Wolverton.

 

....or maybe not. Seems to have stopped again. It's been at sig. 5272 short of Wolverton for half an hour or so. Hope it'll all be OK particularly after all the hard overnight hours in the cold and rain.

 

Bearing issue happened again, 60009 no longer on tomorrow's run according to their FB page. They tried their best. Now to see what Plan B or C looks like...

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2169791849993177&id=1470436049928764

 

Unfortunately Number 9 has suffered a recurrence of last nights bearing issue while on it's way to Southall meaning that it will no longer be possible to haul tomorrows train to Shrewsbury. We will provide more information following a full investigation of the offending bearing.

From Facebook.

 

Oh dear, oh dear....

 

44871 will now haul the train.

Andrew

 

Best that can be done in the circumstances, as I imagine it would be difficult to rustle up a second crew at this late stage. Still, my quest for a steam only ascent of Llanfihangel continues, but at least I get the GWML done via Hullavington with steam on the front.

 

Full kudos to the support crew though - attempting to fix a broken loco in the open away from the facilities of a workshop when the only thing thats hot is the bearing is Commitment with a capital C. Then to have the thing fail again must be so dispiriting.

Thanks to all those who work ridiculous hours in rotten conditions to keep this mainline show on the rails

 

Last week??? If Ian can get his support crew organised and WCR the additional drivers and firemen.

 

Hear hear!

 

Oh well I guess USA would have been shoved by a 47 but not as much a the black 5 will be though! At least they tried!

 

Keeping to the path might be a problem if the 5 are on the front.

 

Path both ways timed for 60mph. The day is perfectly achievable for a 65mph capable loco even if a couple of sections may be a little quick.

 

So does the entire train get turned at Shrewsbury/Crewe or just the loco?

 

The timings suggest no. See #6 of this thread. Just running through to the Box on the Chester Road, then propelling back into P4 before setting off for Crewe. There's a turn in Crewe after servicing using Gresty.

 

Thanks

 

Friend phoned RTC. One Black 5 with serious diesel assistance.