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The Mayflower - 6/09/25

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by Big Al, Sep 2, 2025.

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  1. Charles Smythe

    Charles Smythe New Member

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    It was indeed very special, myself and a friend had an excellent time chasing both around the county with the highlight being of course at Hemerdon in the evening. The images that those skilled photographers (I have huge respect for any serious photographer as I know how difficult it is) have produced at the likes of Dawlish and Dawlish Warren of both GWR Castles in view are spectacular.

    As for being a standout moment for rail in 2025, I would go as far as to say that it’s a standout moment in the 21st Century, at least in my view.
     
    Charles Smythe, Sep 8, 2025 at 5:12 PM
    #121
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  2. Charles Smythe

    Charles Smythe New Member

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    That was absolutely not my intention, I simply just didn’t comment on it that was all.
     
    Charles Smythe, Sep 8, 2025 at 5:14 PM
    #122
  3. 35B

    35B Nat Pres stalwart

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    As I say, context matters - that wasn't how it read to me.
     
    35B, Sep 8, 2025 at 5:46 PM
    #123
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  4. MellishR

    MellishR Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    It is often said that we need to be a little careful not only of what we say on a forum such as this but how we say it, lest it be misconstrued. Some of the recent posts confirm that. (And BTW I don't claim to be perfect myself.)
     
    MellishR, Sep 8, 2025 at 6:19 PM
    #124
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  5. AlexS

    AlexS New Member

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    It was a delight rolling along the sea wall watching Nunney making progress ahead off in the distance. Something really rather special.

    A different kind of special was the return journey from Bristol to Birmingham with Nigel's expert handling of the class 37s producing a storming run back. Nearly blowing the roof off Temple Meads station was hugely satisfying!
     
    AlexS, Sep 8, 2025 at 6:19 PM
    #125
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  6. Charles Smythe

    Charles Smythe New Member

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    Correct; the lack of tone on forums compared to real life often leads to misinterpretation.
     
    Charles Smythe, Sep 8, 2025 at 6:45 PM
    #126
  7. free2grice

    free2grice Part of the furniture Friend

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    No need for that. We all benefit and appreciate your posts. [BJ]
     
    free2grice, Sep 8, 2025 at 6:56 PM
    #127
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  8. beavis

    beavis New Member

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    7029 and 45596 arrive Exeter St David's platform 6 with returning Mayflower tour from Plymouth. September 2025 IMG_20250906_180135925~2.jpg
     
    beavis, Sep 8, 2025 at 6:57 PM
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  9. beavis

    beavis New Member

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    5029 approaching Exeter St David's platform 4, about to pass 7029 and 45596 waiting in platform 6. IMG_20250906_183151410~5.jpg
     
    beavis, Sep 8, 2025 at 7:00 PM
    #129
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  10. D1002

    D1002 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Why have you joined this Forum. Just to be thouroughly obnoxious?
     
    D1002, Sep 8, 2025 at 7:01 PM
    #130
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  11. Charles Smythe

    Charles Smythe New Member

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    Been a casual reader for a number of years and always thought that it looked like a friendly site with a lot of knowledgable people on it so decieded to join. It amazes me that some on here are quite happy to be so rude and condescending. Personally that is not the way I speak to people, online or in real life as well to be clear.
     
    Charles Smythe, Sep 8, 2025 at 7:30 PM
    #131
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  12. free2grice

    free2grice Part of the furniture Friend

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    You're right, it was. [BJ]
     
    free2grice, Sep 8, 2025 at 7:43 PM
    #132
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  13. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    This thread has become something that it never should have become and I'm sorry to say that it seems that for some strange reason it's all turned tetchy because of the contribution of one person and the reactions of a few others. I declare an interest in this trip as I was on it and that was because it was one of a handful of pure steam charters this year.

    It was a brilliant day for many reasons that have been largely rehearsed already. Unless someone at Vintage Trains corrects me, it probably also wouldn't have run at all were it not for Bahamas but I'll come to that.

    The Saphos run to Kingswear was just another dual motive power trip and before GWR devotees pipe up can I be clear that there is no way that a single chimney Castle can haul a 12 coach train plus a diesel without it getting a helping hand at any point where there is a hill. Whiteball comes to mind in that context plus the climb out of Kingswear. It need not have been a GW loco as LSL has quite a choice but it's always nice to see something GW along the sea wall at Dawlish so it was a good call. As has been said, I've never been behind steam to see another steam train ahead of me but that happened on Saturday as we went around Red Rock to see Nunney ahead of us. Magical.

    The Mayflower last year was a great trip as well. But this year was also partly about Bahamas and giving it a final run, courtesy of VT, before its overhaul. It's a great loco and its performance has proved that it's a Class 6 that thinks it's a Class 7. The pairing with a Castle was unusual but it worked brilliantly and at times the acceleration with a heavy 11 coaches was pretty impressive. I offer you all the climb of Hemerdon. Last year Clun and The Earl took 12 for 455 gross up to the top in 11 min 22 sec. This year with 11 for 415 we did it in 9 min 57 sec. It wasn't a competition but there is no doubt that Bahamas was as much part of that performance as Clun Castle.

    You cannot talk about Saturday without celebrating both locos. It was a 'pure steam' trip and there have been precious few of them this year. The fact that Vintage Trains stays true to the tradition of proper steam haulage, when it can, should be an example to other operators. Many who travel now are not bothered. As long as smoke drifts by the window that's all that matters. But people forget that although it's more about the canapés and the bucks fizz nowadays, it's also about man and the machine. That was demonstrated in spades on The Mayflower with really skilful driving and loco management. Those who pay attention to such things will know how well the trip ran and that was down to all those in the support coaches up front but also some pretty impressive footplate work from the VT and WCR folk who were involved.

    The summit speeds throughout were amongst the best. No records as such, but more than enough to please those timing the trip and I'm not likely to better the exit from Taunton out to Durston for some time.

    Thanks to all who made it happen and best wishes to Vintage Trains for continuing to offer what other operators seem to have forgotten is important from time to time.
     
    Big Al, Sep 8, 2025 at 9:08 PM
    #133
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  14. dublo6231

    dublo6231 Member

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    Just picking up on a couple of your points made there Big Al - I noted that in my timings about it being a sub 10 min start to pass of the climb of Hemerdon - but did wonder if I had got it wrong - so glad to think that someone else had the same! Not sure how common that is to be honest - but sure some of the more knowledgeable on this forum might be able to confirm or comment (please!).
    As for the start out of Taunton - kind of set the tone for others to come!
     
    Last edited: Sep 9, 2025 at 9:45 PM
    dublo6231, Sep 9, 2025 at 9:26 PM
    #134
  15. pete12000

    pete12000 Member

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    I think a considered opinion of last Saturday's Mayflower is that both 7029 and 45596 are very capable locomotives as demonstrated by their combined performance on the day, they were both very well turned out, as steam locos don't stay clean for too long a great deal of effort is put in to keeping them looking as good as they both do, much of this work is carried out by volunteers starting two days before a railtour and ends the day after 'putting the locos away'... until the next time.

    The compliments, feedback, gratitude and praise for each other across the whole team (0ne big team two engines) who make it all happen, is reward in itself for the effort put in by all. Long may it continue, and it will.

    Should anyone commenting from behind a camera or anywhere else feel able to offer their assistance to produce the result they're looking for, they'd be most welcome, there are long hours, dirty, heavy, hard and sometimes wet work on offer. The reward is knowing you've made a contribution to what the majority of folk see as a rather special day last Saturday and having a little pride in a job well done.

    If anyone's dissatisfied for any reason please step forward and join in, make a difference, your efforts will be welcome........
     
    pete12000, Sep 9, 2025 at 10:35 PM
    #135
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  16. 16Ventnor

    16Ventnor Member

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    Speaking on behalf my table i.e. £660 toward the trip I'd like to say an enormous thank you to all involved in the planning and execution of this trip. It will live long in the memory of those who paid for the trip to run, especially seeing Nunney Castle, one block ahead on the sea wall. So a big thank you to all the passengers and their faith and support in main line steam at its best and to VT for giving us what we love. A final greeting to the crew member who just would not give up and finally successfully released the sticky brake block on the Jubilee at Plymouth a few minutes before departure. The success or failure of a trip can sometimes rest with a fine line.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 10, 2025 at 3:43 PM
    16Ventnor, Sep 10, 2025 at 10:24 AM
    #136
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  17. Julian Jones

    Julian Jones Member

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    Are we going to get a report from Mr Shireman? I’ve been looking forward to seeing something, we usually do…
     
    Julian Jones, Sep 11, 2025 at 5:31 PM
    #137
  18. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    I can do headlines for you as otherwise it may become a TLDR post!

    Outbound it was lively from the start with a quick exit to Nailsea (77) and then the signal stop at Uphill Junction to let the St Davids service sneak out from Weston. But on time at Taunton.
    A nice climb of Whiteball, much as in 2024 on the equivalent train. 52 minimum and gained three minutes on schedule.
    Pacey down to St Davids and a great recovery to 71 by Exminster. Then the procession of trains to Newton Abbot.
    31 up Dainton and the bonus of a pass of Totnes, albeit on the platform road so only 26 at the station. But then a bravura climb of Rattery with a pretty steady 31/32 followed by a good run to Plymouth.
    Coming home the exit from Plymouth was electric with well under five minutes to Tavistock Junction in the low sixties and then, amazingly, under 10 minutes to Hemerdon Sidings with a min of 24.
    Totnes was taken at pace and the climb of Dainton had the usual sting in the tail of the last mile that took about 20 mph off the climbing speed - min of 31 - but all well under control.
    Whiteball would have been great given the start - 10.5 minutes to Hele - but we caught up Nunney and that was the end of that.
    However, the exit from Taunton was something else with 74 reached by Cogload and when the rag was finally taken off the speedo we settled down to some steady running at around 70 and were well inside even time passing Uphill Junction. But then the mandatory 'follow the stopper' kicked in and that was the end of the day.

    Given all the above, it was brilliant and so were the footplate crew and support crew. And we thought that something like this would never happen in 2025 but fortunately, the dead hand of (insert your loco depot of choice) was not at work although we should acknowledge that WCRC's Andy Taylor was his usual masterful self in support of VT.
     
    Big Al, Sep 11, 2025 at 5:52 PM
    #138
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  19. Julian Jones

    Julian Jones Member

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    That’s really enjoyable reading Al, thank you, and good to meet you at Plymouth. I agree the start from Plymouth was memorable. Some of the on the day pathing decisions were a little frustrating - we could have passed the stopper on the outbound between Worle / Uphill without causing material delay and ditto with the stopper on the way back given it was also running later - could have passed it at Newton Abbot or Dawlish Warren with minimal impact to the stopper. But, as you say, grateful we can still experience unassisted steam on the main line at all in 2025.
    Looking forward to Shap on the 27th - are you on that?
     
    Julian Jones, Sep 11, 2025 at 7:08 PM
    #139
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