The Royal Duchy 2021

Phew, Looks like I've not been bumped off, as just got my e-tickets for the 'Duchy' this Sunday.
Plus, going to be in Coach A, so right behind the loco in one direction!

I do wonder, given England's success in the football, whether others may have volunteered to be re-booked so that they can watch the Final.

 

Bit of a shame that through no fault of WCR or RTC we're down to a steam mileage of only 164m 28c on Sunday. We really enjoy the steam return through Cornwall that we would have had but for the late notified engineering work that prevented an earlier start from Slough. Still we've got the South Devon Banks to play with; and 10 on. From the runs up north of late, 60163 it in fine fettle so we're expecting some good running and noisy climbing.

 

Thought we'd better have a separate thread for the Duchy Series.
This looks like 60163 + POB's move to Bishops Lydeard on Saturday:

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U91471/2021-07-10/detailed

and this the LE move on Sunday Morning:

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U91474/2021-07-11/detailed

 

Good to see light engine moves on Sunday between Taunton and Plymouth.

Outbound: Realtime Trains - 0Z31 1112 Norton Fitzwarren to Plymouth
Return: Realtime Trains - 0Z34 1828 Plymouth to Taunton

Timings for the main tour itself.
Outbound: Realtime Trains - 1Z31 0846 Slough to Par
Return: Realtime Trains - 1Z34 1738 Par to Slough

<BJ>

 

I'm on the one with Bahamas on 1st August but presumably the path will be the same.

How is the loco change at Norton Fitzwarren going to work? If memory serves there isn't actually a loop there is there? The mainline connection goes straight onto the WSR triangle itself, so will 60163 be backing onto the front there and then reversing the train back onto the mainline?

 

There is a ladder connection from the Down Relief ( Taunton to Norton Fitzwarren ) on and off the mainlines and the single line connection to WSR.
I would suggest that Fairwater yard is a more accurate description of where the loco change will be. The loco & PO Brake moves are shown to and from Norton Fitzwarren, but the main train just quotes signal numbers on the Relief line at Fairwater Yard. It's all signalled moves as far as I can make out in Fairwater Yard, so it should be an easy operation.

Cheers, Neil

 

Well... Looks like we'll have something to keep us entertained during the evening loco change and pathing stop at Taunton...

Getting back home from Reading just after the pubs kick out will be 'interesting'

 

.. and in a cruel twist of fate, looks like I'm going to get to watch the football at home!

Dog has come down with kennel cough (despite being vaccinated) so can't go to the boarders. Had to sell our tickets to someone else (as RTC can't transfer/refund at such short notice), and we've rebooked for the 29th Aug.

Hope everyone who does go has a great time!

 

That's right. The loco change will be done on the reversible up and down relief alongside Fairwater Yd. Quite straightforward - it was done like this in 2019 so it's not new.

 

Waiting at Dawlish - doesn’t seem to have left Norton Fitzwarren, anyone know why?

 

Points failure in the yard, Tornado unable to get on the front…

 

Thanks for the reply!

 

Any more info ?? Getting rather wet at exminster.

 

Assume Tornado still stuck, open train maps suggests so - whats chances of Tornado still working west today?

 

Loco and support coach are parked by Silk Mills bridge - can’t see stock - presumably somewhere in Fairwater Yard?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Just left - fingers crossed now for a clear run …

 

Thanks for the updates!

 

Exeter-Plymouth in 58mins according to RTT. Tornado in good form!!

 

I’m not a timer but that run was fantastic

 

Certainly made for a tense chase from Wellington to Rattery. Made it, though... just!