Welsh Marches: VT - 05/03/22

Good to see a quiet diesel on the filming on Stretton and Llanvihangel. Anyone got timings or even speeds at the summits?

 

Yes, that section was fun. In fact the whole day thus far (Miltons water stop) has been really enjoyable and from coach F in the middle I haven’t heard any interference from behind but stand to be corrected. Congrats to VT, staff and volunteers.

 

Thus far (Milton water stop) the only diesel assistance has been getting up and out of Tyseley Warwick Road and a bit of a shove to get going out of Birmingham New Street as the train was a little late. 7029 has been handling things very well.

 

It's all been rather good fun thus far, and a nice way to kick off my railtouring this year.

 

I popped out to Appleford earlier - getting very dull so only really a quick grab, but was nice to see Clun again!

 

Sorry you feel this way and strongly enough not to travel. As a result you have missed a sensational day and some extremely interesting running. We were towards the back & Diesel assistance was very limited throughout, Clun was trusted significantly and performed faultlessly delivering us to Snow Hill early.
Summit speed at Church Stretton was around 29, around 30 at Llanfihangel, but my GPS was playing up a bit. It may have been playing up a bit on the way back towards Swindon too..
A huge amount of noise on Hatton holding 40 over the top, real good fun. In fact could hear her throughout the day despite being 9 coaches back!
Thanks to all at Vintage Trains, will see you again soon.

 

Clun Castle a few hundred yards further on from the earlier shot at Bayston Hill. This time approaching the bridge at Burgs Lane, Bayston Hill.

 

We were not even board and its safe to say that was one VT's better trips. The sound up All Stretton and Hatton was Eargasmic.

 

Have to agree, she was driven exceptionally well throughout, far better than the Duchess performance last year, but much better conditions.

 

A fantastic trip. Sitting at the back of coach H, just one coach in front of the diesel, with the windows closed I could hear 7029 chattering away regularly, and I never heard the diesel kick in once. Some amazing running, and a fantastic start to VT's 2022 season. Well done to all involved. Keep up the exceptional work!

 

Yes I was your afternoon guard today. It was a spectacular journey wasn't it.

 

Pity the ETH didn’t extend to the posh dining wind tunnel where we froze our proverbials off all day! The temperature (and wind noise) would probably have been acceptable if the corridor vestibule doors had remained closed for more than 2 minutes every time we got up to shut them. Maybe fit door closers and lose the magnetic door holdback catches. Walking back through the train to disembark we couldn’t believe how cosy it was in ‘bring you own class’.

We won’t be squandering that sort of cash with VT again.

One very cold shareholder and friends.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

All Stretton

 

Yes I finally caught the dam V.T. welsh Marches charter up catching a train from wolverhampton via Shrewsbury and despite losing a quarter of what I paid to go on the V.T. the main bit of the tour I was after was the severn tunnel to wootton Bassett stretch of line seen as though I've done the joint line from shrewsbury to Hereford both ways before by steam already so all in all I was still satisfied despite my costly mistake.
Davo 56F

 

A push out of Tyseley and a push out of New Street were the only times the 47 assisted. All the rest was entirely Clun and her crew demonstrating their prowess, and demonstrate it they did!

 

A SUPERB photo, taken between Leebotwood and All Stretton if I am not mistaken. I hope it forms part of an accompanying video.
With your permission I would like to post it on my Facebook page, duly credited of course.

 

Hi Dave,

Glad that you caught us up at Hereford, good to have your company for the remainder of the trip. Hope that you didn't get home too late after all.

Cheerz,

Alan

 

Best day out that I have enjoyed on the mainline with steam since 1967; nearly 300 miles of express steam with a superb performance from 7029 and a very big thanks to VTL for putting on such a terrific event.

There were plenty of bursts up to 70+ mph, but as mentioned upthread, the real highlight was after Badminton, let's just say that the performance was "electric" and the front-end "chatter" was clearly audible from the 5th coach and a joy to hear; The Cheltenham Flyer or what......... 7029 certainly lived up to it's reputation.

It was bright and sunny as we sped thro' the countryside, I must admit to being a wee bit envious of the photographers/"videoists" witnessing the spectacle from the lineside, it must have been quite a sight as demonstrated by the photos upthread, but ultimately I'm so glad that I was on board for this particular trip, thanks again VTL.

Cheerz,

Alan

Snapped just before departure from Hereford.............

 

Cheers, no problem.