Vintage Trains 2024

We were trying to recollect last night when a Castle might last have hauled an express train arriving in Plymouth on a Friday evening. 1963?

We expect to leave 6 minutes earlier in the path of a cancelled XC. If so, we will then have a 2 1/2 hour path to Bristol with an on board control team to manage the journey each minute

There are three minutes to lose but one carriage more

 

I agree, to be asked by the operator for a photo is a flattering, high compliment indeed!

 

Looks like we'll be on the original path, as the CrossCountry Edinburgh train isn't in fact cancelled.

 

Indeed. Here we go, like a bullet already!

 

Stalled on Hemerdon!

Sent from my SM-A226B using Tapatalk

 

Stopped at Hemerdon :-(

 

For some reason seems not to be retrying after a couple of goes to get over the last quarter mile.

 

47 now reported to be in section to couple up.

 

Confirmed onboard that it'll be staying on the back to Bristol at least

 

Diesel arriving now..

 

Under way again.

 

On the move

 

Stalled 50 yards from the change of gradient board, no slips whatsoever !

 

On the move at 10:14

 

If the reports that have surfaced are correct there is a suggestion that two of the pass coms were slightly ajar which would have created a small leak on the Vacumn/dragging brakes. That certainly wouldn’t have helped the cause…..

 

Some well wisher appears to have slightly opened the butterfly cocks on two cars in Plymouth station, just enough to drag but not enough to notice on the loco gauge. Apparently diesel well wishers do this quite frequently to increase the loco load. 7029 is fine

 

There was definitely sound of brakes coming on before we stopped. Loss of speed was very dramatic, we took 63mph onto the bank.

 

Or vegetation struck the butterfly cocks en route

Cause certain

How it was caused will never be proven

 

Definitely consistent with other reports. A shame really as it sounded like you were going well. However it does prove why the diesel, be it attached or following close up, is a good thing.