RTC The Cardiff Christmas Express - 22/11/2022

Seems strange not to stop at the site of Challow station for water. They have been stopping there for as long as I can remember (over 20 years) and it's definitely accessible so why stop somewhere else?

Looks like the Kemble stop hasn't happened. Can the Duchess do Challow (or wherever) to Cardiff without another stop?

 

The normal location to take water at Challow is Denchworth Bridge using signal SB991 as the marker.
It isn't a timing point on the NR train planning system, so the schedules have to be adjusted between Wantage Road and Challow.

I haven't seen the Special Traffic Notice, so I can't comment on what was published.
This was the wording used for the Belmond Pullman worked by 35028 in May -
Wantage Road to Challow – Steam Loco to take on Water at Signal SB991 SRT has an additional 21 minutes to allow this to take place

SRT? - Section Running Time

Cheers, Neil

 

OK so they don't stop at Challow any more but somewhere before then. Sounds like they may have stopped at signal 997 rather than 991 which is too far!

 

Passing Purton in pleasant weather.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/16582147@N07/52516391927

 

Bowling along at Shrivenham, this afternoon.

 

Now diverted via Kew East Jn and Willesden South West Sidings.
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U64205/2022-11-22/detailed

Barnes Bridge blocked to all traffic.
https://www.southwesternrailway.com/other/news-and-media/news/2022/november/barnes-bridge-in-south-west-london-closes-for-network-rail-to-carry-out-essential-repairs

Cheers, Neil

 

A short clip of the tour on the return through Chepstow...... Apologies on behalf of TFW for Digital Dai's announcement and on behalf of the bloke who wandered across the front of the camera

 

I think the perspective may make it look worse than it was. He was standing by the tripod just out of shot. And yes she did lose her feet slightly as she approached the station....

 

What a muppet and what makes it worst, it looks like a completely empty station.

 

My video at Gloucester