4965 City of Chester 28/11/09

Vintage trains have had this tour on their website for some weeks showing their Hall returning from Chester via Wrexham and Shrewsbury and now the times are up on UK Steam with the water stop being Chirk. Has it passed me by that the GWR route is now in gauge, if so this is tremendous news, its many years since a Hall, Castle etc. has used the GWR route through Wrexham and the run to Shrewsbury is in daylight.

 

I really cant wait to see Rood Ashton near Shrewsbury, got my place all sorted! Im so glad its during daylight too!

 

Yes, its a strange one this. May be the line restrictions have now been cleared, I hope so, though I have heard nor read anything about this. Originally this train was due to be hauled by 5043 and whilst a Castle may get through I still have doubts about a hall especially on the Salop - Wolves section. Whats even more puzzling is that "uksteam" are also showing timings for turning the engine on the Chester triangle as working 0Z90 which wouldn't be required if the train was continuing to Wrexham.
0Z90
0.0 Chester d 12.44 4965 LE
Chester N Jc a 12.47
d 12.51
Chester S Jc a 13.05
d 13.09
Chester E Jc a 13.12
d 13.16
Chester a 13.17

 

For a Hall going Chester - Wolves via Shrewsbury there was TWO issues rather than one as i recall, the one at Chirk before Salop is well know about but apparently Albrighton platform was also an issue for Halls.

Hope there is truth to this, the slow lines between Stafford & Crewe lose their appeal quite quickly.

 

This tour was meant to be 5043 'Earl of Mount Edgcumbe' when it was first advertised!

Seriously though, I think it has been something like 10+ years since a GWR loco went via Wrexham & Shrewsbury from the Chester direction.

 

I did Chester-Wrexham-Shrewsbury behind 7325 in March 1998.

 

UKSteam.info now saying via Crewe both ways due to gauging

 

Confirmed on the Vintage Trains Website.

 

Seems a bit bizarre that Vintage Trains should have the Wrexham route on their site for some time and the reliable uk steam subsequently accesses detailed timings. Vintage Trains are only too well aware that their Halls have not been available for this route due to being out of gauge so how has this happened. Is it a portent that work on clearances has begun and change is imminent or is it dissapointingly just another example of the cock up theory and there remains no prospect of GWR loco's on GWR metals past Saltney Junction.

 

I doubt a screw up like that would be made, i think it more likely that some work has been done on the route and someone was looking to see if it was clear for a Hall and the answer has come back as not yet, bes interesting to know if the problems are still the same two or not, perhaps one of the two section is now passable ?.

That's my gripe really with the Tyseley - Chester trips, the destination is fine but the less said about the route between Walsall & Crewe the better.

 

No surprise it's Not going back to Tyseley via Wrexham & Shrewsbury. Wishful thinking though by Vintage Trains.

 

Seen at Cross Green near Featherstone running 4 down. She looked in fine fettle though, photos up later!

 

Waste of time for photting early on this morning, diabolical (and unforecast grr) rain putting paid to any lovely dawn light idea's, hope someone else has better luck later on.

 

Seen this morning from my Uncle's back garden at Cross Green, Featherstone just outside Wolverhampton.

 

Video of 4965 at Waverton now uploaded to YouTube. Perfect example of how not to pick a location as 4965 struggles to be heard above a chainsaw and shredder...Grrrrr.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ5E-JoL8w8

 

4965 showed a healthy head of steam in Sutton Park this morning in the rain and 4 degrees.

graham

 

Here's my footage at Chester in the late afternoon.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoZCYzEoM4M

 

Rather than the usual helicopters, light aircraft, police sirens, lawn mowers, road traffic etc.,etc.,etc. From the video film makers amongst us, we understand how you feel. <BJ>