Vintage Trains: Mayflower to Plymouth - 27/09/24

Yes, turning the whole train at Plymouth is a little unfair. I was on the May trip and suffered that experience, although it was still a good trip to be on.

 

There is a greater desire generally to turn trains as complete consists where possible to do so to prevent uncoupling/coupling back up, etc and all the associated issues/problems that may arise from that, plus of course the general safety of it. Also it takes less time/less paths, etc.

If a full train can be turned/watered/sorted all together then that’s the safest, easiest and least problematic option. It’s happening a lot more at Carlisle, and it seems to be beginning to occur elsewhere.

From a keeping these things running point of view, it must only be seen as a good thing.

 

Thanks for all your positive comments. We are going to do what we can to ensure Tourist class leads at least one way over the Devon banks on The Mayflower. Please watch the website

 

Thanks Michael, we too are booked in Tourist for the Mayflower so that's encouraging to hear. For Sunday's trip from Worcester I guess the best we can hope for is lots of assistance from the rear or even the DL tucked in behind the loco. This hot weather is just bad timing especially as we're booked on the Scarborough as well. We got away with the Cathedrals Express....just. We totally understand NR's position though. Neil

 

Vintage Trains have announced that the Birmingham - Bristol leg of The Mayflower in September will be worked by a pair of class 20s.

 

As far as I’m aware 3000 Gallons.

 

With a double headed train, are both locomotives able to draw on the water in the GUV?

Nick M.

 

Evening all,

Wasn't sure if this would deserve its own Tour thread - so feel free to spin off to a new one if needed.

I note that some initial timings have appeared for VT's double headed Castles tour "The Mayflower"

Looks like support diesel shadowing the tour:

Bristol - Plymouth - 0Z21 - https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U28024/2024-09-27/detailed

Plymouth - Bristol - 1Z22 - https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U28028/2024-09-27/detailed

Plymouth - Bristol - 0Z24 - https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U28029/2024-09-27/detailed

On board from Birmingham and really looking forward to this tour - hoping no single figures on Dainton and stalling on Hemerdon on this one!

Here's hoping the weather holds...

 

So 47 on back of 20s down to Bristol, 47 shadows train to Plymouth and back then on back of 20s to Birmingham or 20s shadow the train and no 47 involved at all??

 

Timings for the 'Mayflower' railtour and associated moves. <BJ>

Thurs. 0Z20 12;00 Kidderminster to Tyseley Steam Trust
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U28019/2024-09-26/detailed

Thurs. 5Z20 09;50 Tyseley Steam Trust to St Philips Marsh
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U28020/2024-09-26/detailed

Friday:

5Z20 05;53 Tyseley Steam Trust to Birmingham New Street
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U02821/2024-09-27/detailed

1Z21 Birmingham New Street to Plymouth
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U28022/2024-09-27/detailed -

5Z21 09;00 St Philips Marsh HSTD to Bristol East Depot Dgl
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U28023/2024-09-27/detailed

0Z21 09;42 Bristol East Depot Dgl to Laira Tmd Fuel Road
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U28024/2024-09-27/detailed

0Z22 13;43 Plymouth to Plymouth
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U28026/2024-09-27/detailed

5Z22 13;49 Plymouth to Plymouth
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U28025/2024-09-27/detailed

0Z23 14;55 Plymouth to Plymouth
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U28027/2024-09-27/detailed

1Z22 16;32 Plymouth to Birmingham New Street
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U28028/2024-09-27/detailed

0Z24 16;55 Laira Tmd Fuel Road to Bristol Temple Meads
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U28029/2024-09-27/detailed

5Z23 20;05 Bristol Temple Meads to Tyseley Steam Trust
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U28030/2024-09-27/detailed

5Z25 22;54 Birmingham New Street to Tyseley Steam Trust
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U28031/2024-09-27/detailed

Monday:

0Z24 11;09 Tyseley Steam Trust to Kidderminster S.V.R.
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U28032/2024-09-30/detailed

Thanks to John and Simon C

 

The outward journey still isn't on RTT, but the final confirmation email from VT has arrived this morning with the confirmed timings within it.

New St: 0634/2246
Barnt Green: 0659/2221
Worcestershire Parkway: 0720/2159
Cheltenham Spa: 0742/2137
Bristol Parkway: 0848/2049
Bristol Temple Meads: 0949/1958
Plymouth: 1338/1632

Been a while since I've travelled with VT so it's curious to see I'm in Coach P. Given that there will probably only be 7 or 8 passenger coaches, the numbering system seems interesting!

 

We are in Coach F (Tourist Class). I would imagine that the pair of Castles could manage a few more than 7 or 8 passenger coaches if the demand required it.

Nick M.

 

Worth checking your travel plans if you are joining this excursion. As a precaution, I have confirmed the above times with VT by phone, because the email actually quotes two different departure times. In my case, joining at Worcestershire Parkway, departure was originally quoted as 07.55, now updated to 07.20 - 35 minutes earlier. The above updated times are the correct version.
This might seem a trivial point, but I could just imagine the massive disappointment if any intending passenger overlooked this apparent contradiction and didn't allow sufficient time to join the train with it's earlier departure.
Should be a brilliant trip!

 

It's looking chilly on Friday. How do VT heat the train?

 

I think the stock is dual heated, so no problem on the steam legs, but do the Class 20s have ETS?
Nick M.

 

Just wear several layers of clothing. Standard practice for me when I go on railtours at this time of year. If it turns out the heating does actually work then you can take some layers off.