'The Royal Duchy' - 30/08/20

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...0/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt&toc=WR

Quite a lot of movements there. Looks like light engine from Bristol, then tour arrives. Steam loco off and shunts support coach, tour continues diesel hauled to Par. 44871 goes to turn, then takes support coach tender first to Par.

 

Timings are now available for the charter including a Bristol to Plymouth light diesel move. <BJ>

Sun 30/08/20 - 'The Royal Duchy'.

Black 5 - 44871 to Plymouth, diesel to Par.
1Z82 08:47 Bristol TM to Par.
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55140/2020-08-30/detailed

WCRC Diesel
0Z82 08:15 Bristol TM to Plymouth.
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55150/2020-08-30/detailed

1Z85 17:28 Par to Bristol TM
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55147/2020-08-30/detailed

 

They're going to have to be on their toes at Plymouth. Only 19 mins on the outward to detach 44871+POB and attach the Class 47; 24 mins for the reverse actions on the return.

 

Sounds like it

 

Last year didn't 6233 work Bristol-Plymouth, Par-Bristol with Plymouth-Par being an E+C movement tender first therefore it would make sense if the return was steam throughout.

 

45407 stopped on the bank out of Oban a few years ago with seven on. Dry rail too. Admittedly not much of a run at it of course.

 

The return from Par on Sunday, 1Z85, states:

Starts as Diesel locomotive, trailing load 455 tonnes, changes en route
Starts planned at 95mph max

 

There are no 5Z84 paths from Plymouth showing on RTT for Sunday this morning, Saturday. Plenty of 0Z84s, all Plymouth to Plymouth (turning moves and all look to be identical except for times, so, presumably, options in case the train arrives late!)

 

47.802 and 47.804 5Z45 06:50 Carnforth to Bristol Kingsland Road
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55187/2020-08-29/detailed

9 coaches reported departing from Carlisle:
99128, 99125, 1961, 3143, 99122, 3093, 4905, 99328 and 99304.

44871 and support coach are en route from the ELR to Crewe at present. They will then attach to the 5Z45. <BJ>
5Z44 https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55186/2020-08-29/detailed

 

Hope they attach the Black 5 to the front. That would presumably mean a little more shunting to get the 47 between the 5 and its service coach.

 

No extra paths at the moment for the diesel between Bristol-Plymouth-Bristol but these could still appear. The tour stops at Newton Abbot on the way down, so can a Black 5 take on Dainton with 9 or 10 coaches from a stop at Newton Abbot?

 

So, there was a light engine move to Plymouth for the 47 and now there's not. Has there been a change of plans ? It would be nice to know so I dont have a wasted journey down south. I just cant see load 10 with a class five happening !

 

Watched on Farington Railcam. ECS from Carnforth double Headed Class 47s + 9.

 

Perhaps, as two 47s are taking the train down to Brizzle, the plan is for one to go light engine ahead of the train to Plymouth, to be ready to take over from the Black 5 there. The second 47 remains on the train, at the back, from Brizzle to Par from whence it, having topped 'n tailed the train in Cornwall, heads it back to Plymouth without any need for run rounds and the Black 5, having turned, takes over at the head back to BTM with helper still on the back.

 

RTT gives details of the stock arriving at Bristol Kingsland Road at 16:52. I wonder if it is staying there the night. If it does I hope that West Coast remember what happened a year ago when the locals 'decorated' one of the coaches.

One thing is for sure, it wasn't Banksy. <BJ>

 

I hate to say it but no shunting paths at Bristol Temple Meads for the Cl47 to come off before steam comes on, no LE path to Plymouth (previous path deleted), no shunting path for cl47 to come on at Plymouth. Same sort of scenario on the way back and no run-round path at Par. Could it be top and tail diesels plus 44871? If that is the case then assistance will required all day not just west of Newton Abbot. I've been staying positive all week but evidence seems to be stacking up in one direction.

 

If there are going to be two 47s all the way, surely this train should be renamed "The Damp Squibb". It's interesting to note that there are two workings into BTM in the morning, one from Bristol Kingland Road timed at 95mph and another from St Philips Marsh HST D, timed at 45mph. Where are they going to run at those speeds?

 

The situation is not looking good. The stock arrives from the east end of BTM at 08:02. 44871 arrives from the west end of the station at 08:25. No other loco movements are mentioned.

With the best weather forecast of the week something had to spoil the show. <BJ>