Saphos Trains

Royal Scot crosses the Huntspill River.https://www.flickr.com/photos/79185888@N04/51476772244/in/dateposted-public/

 

Had thought about driving down there, but wasn't sure that light and weather would play ball. Good to see that shot worked out.

 

Yes it was a close run thing with the light, a pleasing result. Thanks for your comment.

 

Video from yesterday’s Welshman with the Scot!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

My video

 

I'm slightly surprised that there's not been comment yet about this Wednesday's Hereford - Crewe - Chesterfield - Buxton trip. Times are now in RTT (links copied from Railway Herald):
Hereford-Buxton, Buxton-Hereford,

I see that this tour is going into Buxton on the old Midland line, through Peak Forest. This involves a reversal to get into Buxton station, but since Saphos often have a DL on the back, this shouldn't cause much trouble. More surprising, to me, is the return trip. They go back the way they came. Steam leads out of Buxton for a short distance then the train reverses and the DL (presumably) leads back to Chinley and all the way through New Mills to Guide Bridge where the train reverses again and steam leads back to Edale, Derby & Crewe. That's not quite what was advertised. Plan A was steam-hauled all the way from Buxton on the other line, via Whaley Bridge & Stockport, and I wonder what has transpired to make that route not viable? Engineering works? Gauge clearance? No paths amongst a busy service? The bits that remain steam-hauled will no doubt provide great entertainment, particularly the evening climb to Chinley

 

Whilst a diesel hanging on the back may simplify arrival at Buxton, it's certainly not essential. I've arrived behind steam, having travelled via Peak Forest. The train enters the (now much extended) sidings beyond the signal box, where a run round facility exists, so the loco can change ends and pull the train into Buxton station.

 

This is the obvious return route via the old LNW line but in the last few years severe clearance issues in Eaves and Barnmoor Clough Tunnels have ruled out steam.

 

46100 appeared to be in steam at Crewe and moving around the yard as I passed by earlier this afternoon.

 

Anyone know how it took an extrar 25 minutes in Bredsall Loop ? unless it was waiting for the cloud bank to take the edge of the shot at Milford Tunnel.

 

Quite a slow run beyond Peak Forest too. Reminds me of a trip that way behind a Black Five a few years ago which really struggled on the climb to Buxton, with wet rails almost defeating it. Hand sanding and superb driving got us there but cost us the best part of an hour.

As the weather that day was rather "Welsh", that was actually a bonus

 

I'd estimate the train was doing around 25mph along Ashwood Dale when I was kind of pacing it on the A 6 (in reality I was stuck behind a loaded lorry out of Topley Pike quarry heading for Buxton). One reason for the added delay was waiting for the Hindlow - Ashburys stone train to run round at Buxton, then clear the single line to Great Rocks. Had they held this either on the viaduct at Buxton, or at the far end of the headshunt, I don't think the excursion would have held it up for long, and that would have made Buxton station more or less on time.

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/182835155@N03/51532360383/in/dateposted-public/

46100 'Royal Scot' Passing Romiley this evening

 

So seems Saphos were going for the mantle of longest tour day yesterday. Scheduled off Hereford at 05:58, back at 00:54 (24 late) and in the end only 66 minutes in Buxton!
Beats anything I have done by about an hour.

 

Does anyone know which loco will be used on Wednesday's SVR - Oxford - Bristol trip? I'm hoping for Royal Scot but will be pleased to see any of the Crewe stable.

 

46100 is what I've seen it down to be.

 

I can confirm that 46100 has arrived on the SVR with the ECS for tomorrow.

 

The Saphos Trains website gives a 15.30 departure from Bristol, and 15.55 out of Bath.

 

Times for today's return trip now on RTT: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U91216/2021-10-06/detailed

Unusual that no stop is booked anywhere around Oxford. I wonder what will actually happen? Doesn't look like a classic climb of Hatton, though, with a stop at Warwick Parkway immediately followed by another in Hatton loop