The Dartmouth Express with 70013 on Saturday 13th June 2009

Standard procedure for a pacific with load of 12. Nothing to do with driver confidence.

 

But surely the engines up to it? Why couldnt they have it on the back just in case the train stalled? It seemed to be applying a fair bit of power?

 

I'm glad standard was at the front then,otherwise i would have missed 'Rat' thrash! #-o

Absolutely belted through Teignmouth and Stoke Canon,fots in a min,when Dawlish Warren decides the internet exists!!

 

Hi all,

Uploaded shots from 4 locations today:

Whiteball: http://mark-walker.fotopic.net/p58912338.html

First ever pan-shot! (dont look if you are easily scared!): http://mark-walker.fotopic.net/p58912338.html


Powderham: http://mark-walker.fotopic.net/p58912340.html

Teignmouth: http://mark-walker.fotopic.net/p58919094.html

Stoke Canon: http://mark-walker.fotopic.net/p58919098.html

Cheers,
Mark

 

Because just having it on the back (and I assume you mean therefore a 'dead' weight?) would be equivalent to 2 extra coaches, which would have made things even worse. The P&DSR know which engines cope on their line, and pacifics are more light-foooted than equivalent sized 4-6-0s. Granted, if the line was clear all day and the punters didn't mind if the lost 30-40 mins of their shopping time in Dartmouth, then of course, we can play trains and let her have a go un-assisted, and she may well make it, but the reality is the P&DSR have a timetable to maintain (as David mentioned) and a large proportion of the passengers on the train are expecting their alotted tourist time in Dartmouth. We sometimes forget that these trips are a commercial venture, and the 'playing trains' element is very much a secondary benefit.

 

Spot on Stu a dead diesel on the back defeats the reason it is there in the first pace, senseless to put it on if it's not going to assist, did some spectator want to see the Pacific stall on the bank with an extra weight equivelent to two extra coaches?? so they could take some extra photos and videos???, driver confidence has nothing what so ever to do in this case.

 

Your sure ?, a class 7 with 6'2 drivers on load 12 tackling a twisting 1 in 60 from a maximum of 25MPH, probably less, if you attempted that on the Mainline Network Rail would fall off the chair laughing at the idea, no margin for error whatsoever.

 

Is anyone qualified to give the last date that a Britannia visited Kingswear, or indeed details of that visit?

My guess would be 1959, if that were correct, it would it exactly half a century.

Regards
Steve

 

My video of The Dartmouth Express with 70013 Oliver Cromwell, taken near Uffculme on the northbound climb to Whiteball.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BBG1Prz6G8

Also a few photos:

http://www.hemerdonbank.fotopic.net/

I did take a video of the southbound run from the top of Whiteball Tunnel but I forgot to switch the microphone on!!! Anyone got a spare soundtrack from the top of Whiteball I could use?

Keith Miller

http://www.keithmiller.fotopic.net/
http://www.hemerdonbank.fotopic.net/
http://www.youtube.com/hemerdonbank

 

Great pics and vid Keith.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgW-NkLGmgs
Also came across this excellent one.

 

not only is the diesel on teh back for an insurance policy to get up the hill, it makes shunting the train easier at Kingswear too whilst the Steamer is turned and serviced.

 

Dad's vid from Sunday now up:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GCiv_21 ... annel_page

Includes Whiteball,Powderham,Teignmouth and Stoke Canon

Cheers,
Mark

 

Great. Well done for keeping filming after train had passed to get the fab 'music' especially on Whiteball =D> =D>

 

Cheers Stu,yeah we always try and make sure the camera stays on well before and after to record all sound!

 

Yes all good fun I put my pics up on my fotopic site as well but forgot to mention it