70013 to Plymouth 25th July

A little surprised that nobody has started to talk about 70013 to Plymouth yet. I see times are now on UKSteam with the loco change at Temple Meads, and yes 70013 and 60163 would seem likely to meet in Bristol again.

Fantastic path for the trip to Plymouth, a rare non-stop through Newton Abbott. Assume the load will be 8. Can anybody confirm?

 

Ah, good. That will help no end in conserving steam for Dainton =D>

 

A record attempt is on the cards then?

 

I wasn't going to start a thread as the last one I did seemed to jinx the 'Christmas Capitals United' last year, turning it into a 'Yuletide Torbay Express' from Newport! But I think notwithstanding any last minute cancellations, this one's a goer (I had my ticket today). Quite looking forward to it now; will be getting on at BTM having caught the 06:29 from Swansea, and will be in coach G. Load is seven plus support coach (so you would be correct!). Judging by the times, both will be present in BTM at the same time on outward and return providing there are no delays, as there is a 20-30 minute layover to swap motive power. I hope they do make it a Devon Banks challenge run, it seems to have been a sell-out...

 

I'm in coach C (had to upgrade becasue standard was full). Letter says that Forward seats will be Rear facing for the return so maybe the train will not be turned at Plymouth although given the configuration that would be a surprise. Maybe the support coach will be left at the rear for the return, but is enough time available at BTM to shunt it off?

 

Not surprised you had to upgrade as there's only 23 seats left on the train, and these are Premier and First classes.

 

According to my letter the train is made up of 7 coaches (A - G), and the kitchen coach will make it 8. So if 8 is the maximum load I what about the support coach?

 

My guess is that the LMS Club car will be used which, I beleive, contains a kitchen and seating so will likely be coach A or B. Just a guess.

 

http://www.justplymouth.co.uk/calendar/ ... l&eID=1296
Details of Plymouth beer festival if anyone's interested....

 

Anyone any idea who the crew are?

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

 

Oliver Cromwell approaching Long Ashton.

 

Anyone on the tour or at the lineside able to report on the tour so far?

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

 

some photos of tour today at hemerdon and tigley at http://keyhamtrain.fotopic.net also video at http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=key ... iew=videos

 

70013 and Driver Taylor did a supurb job today. Really good day, thanks to all, WCRC, RTC (especially Les), 5035LA etc.. Lots of good running. Plymouth to Exeter in under the hour.

Could somebody make some faster diesels please? They keep on getting in the way and holding up steam services...

 

To add to my earlier post I have been quickly through the times now and it’s fair to say the running was really top class. The load was 9 coaches, the first time I am aware that a class 7 has taken 9 over the banks. The times would have done great credit to a class 8 loco. In the morning the times were compromised by signal checks but even so the times were very creditable for similar situations with bigger locos.

On the return 70013 did very, very well with times on Hemerdon and Dainton that I believe are in the top 5 for climbs in preservation, exceptional from a class 7. Climbs of Whiteball in both directions were of the highest order. Running across the levels was reminiscing of what we used to see, and we had a good 75 down Whiteball. Flax Bourton toped at over 70mph.

Hearty congratulation to all involved.

 

Hello All,

A few of my photos of today's superb tour at Plymouth, link: http://preservedrailwaylocomotivephotos ... topic.net/ and my first ever video, new camera, had to give it go, of "OLLIE" leaving Plymouth, link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khOn3rj-iWg

Hope you enjoy, I had a great day.

Best regards SteamHawk216.

 

My video of The Devonian taken at Stoneycombe and Hemerdon:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tEFidSZdj0

Keith Miller

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

 

Could listen to that exhaust note all day....

 

Yes, I also add my congratulations to the crew for sterling work. From what I heard in my carriage, we were within two minutes of attaining record time, but this will probably be confirmed in the near future. It was around 1 hour 8 minutes Exeter- Plymouth (riding the yellows and waiting for a green around Totnes) and 58 minutes Plymouth- Exeter. The run at Whiteball on the return was poetry in motion, cresting it at 62.2MPH (taken from the second carriage) compared to around 55MPH on the outward journey. Very impressive locomotive that is currently at the height of its ability, and I look forward to having another trip in the near future...

 

Great pictures and videos. Looks like it was a superb run. I hope they repeat it in the future.