RTC 2026

I was at Wandsworth Town and was informed due to signalling issues all trains were going through Platform 6 at Clapham Junction then crossing over to pass Platform 2 at Wandsworth Town, causing congestion.

Eddystone then got held outside Brookwood to let the Basingstoke stopper go ahead so it wasn't stuck behind the steam at the water stop at Winchfield, costing more time.

The tour seen at Wandsworth Town and Farnborough this morning:

 

I wonder why the usually-troublesome schedule around the Winchfield water stop has still not been changed - is it really not possible to tweak it such that the schedule includes the service train going first, rather than an on-the-day decision? I had forgotten about the mk2 stock, so that, plus the seemingly lack of usual steam effort, vindicates my (admittedly border-line) decision not to bother to go and film. Nice filming from you as always. The train has at least regained some time, and it looks like a fine day for the passengers.

 

Onto Swanage Railway metals only 23 mins late.

 

This Saturdays West Somerset Express is now diesel hauled, 3 for 3 this year those trips being steamless

 

Well, a 9 late arrival at Swanage is a pretty good recovery from nearly an hour down, which allows the passengers time to enjoy the destination.

 

Not for fire risk reasons, I assume?

 

DCE next week no longer on the RTC website, so I assume cancelled.

 

From the grapevine, a change to steam fire restrictions.
Scotland and North West - Amber
All other routes - Red

Cheers, Neil

 

I thought there might be at least one post about 34028's trip to Par on Sunday, but nothing. However, looking at videos with the vertical exhaust from the 47 on the rear and the almost full rake of blue and grey Mk2s, I'm not really surprised!

 

34028 Eddystone at Durston, near Taunton, with The Royal Duchy to Par. The 47 on the rear was not working.

 

Seems to have gained one more image than 71000 has on the SD trip last week. Not that there seemed to be much on YouTube for that either.

 

More typical behaviour for some Nat Pres contributors is to only comment when something has gone wrong.

I’m reminded of the very old Private Eye fake Daily Mail article:-

TRAINS ARRIVES ON TIME SHOCK
The 0847 service from Bristol to Par and the 1704 service from Par to Bristol both arrived safely and on time.
One passenger in first class said “it was lovely, everyone just kept eating their dinner and chatting merrily, nothing went wrong at all”

 

There are many shots of the Duke's visit to Penzance and return if you choose to use Flickr or Facebook, many taken in glorious lighting conditions. I filmed the train passing Horse Cove as it's most unusual for a steam tour to pass mid afternoon within the 90 minute slot for the best light. One guy that joined me had driven over 300 miles from Skipton to photograph the train. That's dedication for you.

Just because photographs and videos do not appear on Nat-Pres does not mean that there was little or no interest in the train. It may mean that some folk are tired of waiting for the the Nat-Pres website to burst into life. <BJ>

 

34028 seen near Bridgwater with the Royal Duchy trip to Par. https://flickr.com/photos/79185888@N04/55553909768/in/dateposted-public

 

Bulleids, Duffs and aircons are all very low down my list of heritage railway preferences, but I made a point of being at Bodmin Parkway for the return Royal Duchy passing through last Sunday while enjoying the absolutely excellent Bodmin diesel gala and I have to say it made a really dramatic sound and sight with both locos putting plenty of effort in and some nice atmospheric autumnal glow. So add me to the list of people who enjoyed it - albeit not travelling - but didn't post at the time.

 

Any ideas what's on the Whitby Job on Friday. Presumably Tangmere isn't cleared for the esk valley and the 5s are still in Scotland?

 

No timings in the system at all yet.

Waiting to see if a FW - CS path to bring one of the Fives back south appears this week.

 

Looking at the provisional times on the website it is taking 2 1/2 hours from Leeds to York!!!
https://www.railwaytouring.net/ev-09-10-26

 

Believe it has a layover in York for servicing/coal/water on the NRM