Non - Stop BRISTOLIAN 17/4/2010!

When comparing this run to those on the ECML you have to remember that the start of the run is up the 1 in 75 Filton bank. We were checked at the top of the bank so started climb to Badminton in the low 20’s. All this means that the average for the first 20 miles was just 43.3mph, which puts things in context! On the ECML you might well be over a mile and minute average 20 miles out of York. Of course the East Coast runs in recent year have featured much heavier loads than 5043 today, but that takes nothing away from today’s run.

As one of our fellow traveller said as we got off the train, “well, that’s what Castles were built for.”

 

One other thought.

Earlier this week I was critical of the refusal to release timings for the tour. I think I should now eat a bit of humble pie. The way the day's events unfolded seems to justify their caginess.

If they'd come out and said "we're going for a 1hr 45 minute run", knowing that there was a good chance of it going horribly wrong, there was a good chance they'd have ended up looking really poor, as in "pffffttt can't even run their trains on time". If they'd said to the world, "right, it will be at Twyford at 18.52", whilst knowing they were trying to get there at 18.20, there'd have been a lot of people moaning "you said this.. you ruined my little boy's day... etc". If they'd said "we haven't a clue, depends how it goes" they'd have also looked a bit silly (but probably the best option ). Talk about a no-win situation. I think it worked out about right the way they handled it.

 

I'm not trying to take anything away from todays run, any steam hauled service that gets preference over timetabled services is in its own right a great achievement in terms of communication between the various companies involved let alone the locomotive in charge. I just find it interesting how some of the run of the mill excursions with some fantastic running get overlooked.
Thanks for the info on the line between Bristol and Paddington as its not a route I am familiar with (yet), hopefuly I'll get the chance to at some point.

 

Well it all depends if your booked on the tour,if your not,they have no reason to give out times surely....unless of course people offer a contribution??

 

I hope you will forgive me for not reading all of the recent entries; I have just arived back in the house (Durham) having left at 6am this morning. Did both up and down journeys behind 5043. Down run was good. Up run was phenominal. 110 minutes start to stop which is just 5 minutes more than the shedule for the Bristolian in steam days. When I have recovered a suitable donation to the Clun Castle fund and maybe something else will be on its way to Tyseley and/or FGW for a superb day out. FGW and Network Rail pulled out all the stops for a clear run back (with the exception of lifting the 75mph maximum lol).

 

I wonder what, I think it is, Alison Fo(r)ster the former boss of FGW must be thinking.

 

Probably dug her own grave and jumped in it!

(or is that just wishful thinking?)

 

So now for the return to Solihull. Will the class 37/47 diesel/s be tagged on the back? <BJ>

 

I was disappointed with my efforts yesterday. Felt sorry for those photographers at the far end of Sydney Gardens as a unit trundled across their line of sight as the Castle arrived.

http://michael527.fotopic.net/c1838668.html

Must be out of practice. Was impressed by the water carrier.

 

No - as we had no diesel resident at Southall, the the 37, which had delivered the GUV to Tyseley, was needed in London, for the Paddington release/stand-by.

A superb effort, yesterday, with excellent co-operation from all parties (VT, FGW, WCR & NR) and a couple of lucky breaks, the results of which speak for themselves.

Well done!

JS

 

Wow, what a trip.
I would like to have done both ways, but decided that was a bit too extravagent!
I'm just glad I opted for the 'Up' train.
Congratulations to all organisations and people involved in making this such a superb and memorable journey.

 

I don't suppose she gives a damn. Much as we might disapprove, the concept of putting all the company's effort into the proper timetabled service to the public and not getting distracted chuffing about (sorry, couldn't resist) with tours and antique hardware is by no means an illogical one.

 

I know there have been some superb steam performances in recent years that get little mention. But yesterday was very special for those who love the GWR. To re-create one of the very famous trains from days gone by, complete with non stop running and a decent overall time. And no signal checks we are told! An outstanding achievement by all concerned even if, as I suspect at present in advance of seeing a copy of the log, the running from the loco was nothing especially out of the ordinary in terms of the speed and horsepower needed. Except that circa 75 mph must have been able to have been maintained for very long stretches at a time. "Just" a Castle doing what it was designed to do, as we have already been told here. But for once in the preservation era, being given the chance to do it!

And that comment from a train timer of 50 years, (50 years since I started timing trains, not my age sad to say), who would not have gone on the train even if I had known what was going to happen, as my interest is firmly focused on what used to run on SR metals in the 1960s. And on certain German locos as well!

For me the equivalent would be 35028 doing Waterloo - Salisbury inside 80 minutes, the old Atlantic Coast Express schedule. Just possible with 11 or 12 cars and the 75 mph limit with a more normal platform departure from Waterloo, and a day when the bridge restrictions are not put in the schedule.

 

Does anyone know if the water carrier will eradicate the stop at Hinksey on the return? I would hate to miss her because of early running again!

 

The return positioning run may also catch people out. About 20 mins early at Tilehurst at 1.00pm, wasn't due to leave Reading until 1.15pm. Taking it fairly easy on the main. Wasn't taking the 37 back with it.

 

I'll go along with all that's been said by those on the up train, it was an amazing experience and one that may have been anticipated in their wildest dreams. When we heard on the train the timetable had been torn up and they were going for it, you can imagine the atmosphere on board! A WONDERFUL DAY, JUST WONDERFUL. just a ps to the watercarrier business, talking to the crew at Paddington they reckoned it had not been used on the run as we were running with no checks. Apparently the inside consists of two tanks, one over each bogie and not too big either.

 

Did anyone see, or better video, the up trip through Reading? I wondering if it went for it on the middle through road just like old days. I believe the restriction then was 80mph due to the curve. I think it is now reduced somewhat (60mph?). I always remember seeing 5054 going for it on the return "Great Western" in May 1964.

 

The Up run through Reading was on the up fast/middle line. The train had to brake in the vicinity of Reading West, the speed limit signs show '50' (presumably mph) for all lines on the approach.

 

As I thought, it seems non-stop trains through Reading are far more restricted than they used to be - progress?