'English Riviera Express' 2020

Perhaps the path is an adaptation of recent past similar tours when steam has stabled at the WSR and hooked on at Taunton?

 

I was stood next to you on the bridge this morning!

 

46100 is passed for 75mph

 

Yes, but the NR planning for steam does not normally reflect the true max for any steam loco, presumably for the reasons discussed above.

Eg when the consist of 70000, 46100 support coach and the 47 ran from Crewe to Bristol the other day, it was shown as 60* even though both (all) locos were 75mph rated, whereas the ECS which followed the next day behind a diesel was shown as 75mph.

*Perhaps not the best example, as the fact that it was almost a light engine service might have restricted the maximum speed, but the point remains.

 

It is very rare to see a 75mph path for steam. The vast majority of steam excursions are timed for 60mph as firstly it builds in some 'padding' in case of issues and secondly would allow a slower substitute loco. With the advent of dedicated charter paths now (such as this regular service out of Bristol) several operators may use this, allowing a broad range of locos potentially to use this one path.

 

RTT is stating the timetable for a particular train. When understanding what loco runs what section then information should be taken from the promotors advertisement as far as is reasonable.

Regarding finer details of RTT - The speed “timed for” of any given path always lends favour to the slowest allocated loco. If a 47 was allocated a path then it would be timed for 95mph max regardless of line speed or timing needs. If all steam locos submitted as a potential to run a path then NR can time the path for 75mph as is the case in this run.

Alternative locos (such as a Black 5 for example), may be put forward to run the tour (to cover such events as loco failure last minute). With a lower timed speed ability the loco still needs to be able to keep to a path and thus a path is timed for the slowest allocated loco.

As stated up thread, tons also allocated are simply to allow for slower acceleration rates.

A list of 75mph registered locos have been put forward operate this path and has always been promoted as steam hauled throughout.

AFAIK, engine or engine and coach movements are limited to 50 or 60mph regardless of loco due to braking ability of the consist.

This may all be a bit mix and matched as I’ve been putting it together while watching a stream of comments added to the thread. Hope this makes sense.

 

My video of The English Riviera Express with 46100 Royal Scot taken at Whiteball (near Beam Bridge) and Powderham.

 

The sun forgot the invite to the party but it was very uplifting to see steam back on the seawall today.
The area is packed with holidaymakers, it's a definite throwback to British summers of old.


Back on the seawall ... Royal Scot at Teignmouth by Inspiring Images, on Flickr


Leaving the sea behind ... by Inspiring Images, on Flickr

 

Three clips from today , Rewe foot crossing to the sound of the new audible warning system, the field going down towards Stoke Canon and for the return at Athelney where it gained four minutes from being on time at Cogload .

 

So far I haven't detected any youtube clips showing diesel assistance (apart from on PSR which was expected) although I would be interested to see any footage from Torre Bank as I am a bit suspicious of a rise in speed from 30.5 to 32 mph up the bank. Assuming no help, the speed at Whiteball Summit was a very creditable 51 mph with a time of 21 min 23 sec from passing Exeter (P6!!) at 20 mph. Thank to all a Saphos/LSL for making it happen!

 

Video from yesterday with 46100, seen at Bathampton, Witham, Castle Cary, Frome and Bradford.

 

A couple of shots from Sundays ERE. https://www.flickr.com/photos/79185888@N04/albums/72157715256000102

 

If there was no assistance that's probably a preservation record for a Class 7 with nigh on 535 tons on the drawbar on Whiteball Eastbound. 46100 did a blistering return TBE on 10th July 2016: 18m 6s from Exeter passed at a much faster 40 to Whiteball Summit passed at 61. That was with 11 on, close to 435 tons.

 

A different view of the seawall ...


Running ahead of the tide ... by Phoenix Images, on Flickr

Alas there is no morning shot as it was raining until about a minute before the train passed, not enough time to get airborne and in position. Drones don't like rain

 

I did just that... I walked upo from Stoke Canon and was dismayed to not be able to see the line.. so I carried on to Sandy Lane footpath and went to the crossing but as you say I was thwarted as foot crossing has warning nee-naws as I call them so went in field adjacent to thr DN line..

 

What a change in the weather from this time last year when we were experiencing record breaking temperatures.

On this day a year ago the Duchess ran from Paddington to Minehead and managed to catch several sections of embankments alight.
The return from Minehead was diesel hauled. The Duchess was forced to spend a staycation at the WSR.

The following day Union of South Africa ran from Bristol to Kingswear with a class 47 on the FRONT!! <BJ>

 

Footplate all LSL. DBC helped with the rear end.