Non - Stop BRISTOLIAN 17/4/2010!

Just had a look at VT website and there are some excellent photos on there that haven't appeared on here, well worth a look.
http://www.vintagetrains.co.uk/vt_gallery_2010_bristolian.htm

 

Here is a short video on the BBC Bristol website:http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/bristol/hi/people_and_places/history/newsid_8629000/8629485.stm

Saw the outward run at the site of the old Goring water troughs. Couldn't see the return run due to other commitments but what a day for Steam on Main Line. Bravo Tyseley and to all those involved in operating this historic run.

 

And here's another video, taken near Newton St Loe and near Westerleigh.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90T6nhLMXTg

Also a couple of photos:

http://www.hemerdonbank.fotopic.net/p64346631.html
http://www.hemerdonbank.fotopic.net/p64346632.html

 

I know some of you aren't going to believe this, but none of the support crew had any idea of what was going to happen on the Up Bristolian.
I had the same set of times as those published on UKSteam. Except of course in more detail.
It wasn't until we were servicing the Loco at St. Philips Marsh that I had any inkling of what was about to happen. I got into a conversation with a gentleman from FGW who said he was hoping for an early arrival at Paddington, but even then it didn't sink in what he was alluding to!!!
So I can safely say that it was a well kept secret!!!

 

Bit late now but according to Heritage Railway, someone has discovered what appears to be parts of the old Dillicar troughs dumped near where they used to be...... if only!

Anyway - took the kids into Oldfield Park to see the run through - obviously not the most spectacular part of the run, but even my rail indifferent other half commented on the gleaming finish. Job well done all round from what I can tell. Maybe for the 200 the boys will be old enough for the 3 of us to be on the train rather than just watching.

 

The sad thing is,this is the last great anniversary with the men who worked on/with these trains back in steam days. Come the 200th i daresay not only all will have retired but some may no longer be with us as sad as it sounds. We have to make the most of it while we can and this weekend the train did just that!

 

Its not often in our hobby that secrets stay that way until it happens. A great result to all concerned for such a smashing run.

Bet the people who booked on the down trip are a tad miffed though after hearing the antics of the return!!

Pics at slough and twyford to be uploaded shortly.

 

Several of those photos on the VT website are really evocative of past times. I especially like the low level shot of Box Middlehill Tunnel on the down, Cholsey on the up, and the final one at Paddington without the usual HST next door. Not to mention Maidenhead Bridge.

Thanks for brilliant work by all concerned, including FGW in clearing the path for a vintage up schedule. And now, in the water carrier, you have a useful tangible asset at Tyseley which opens the door to all sorts of interesting performances in the next few years, and which other outfits may well want to hire.

 

Two photos now uploaded from saturday.

5043 at Slough on the fast, good for the tour but an unfortunate tight angle for us all waiting on bridge, so more of a head on shot.....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oli_g_15/4538686424/sizes/l/in/photostream/


... and then again on the fast, making it look easy at Twyford on the return journey.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oli_g_15/4538049137/sizes/l/


Was great to put a name to some familiar faces, and also a huge thanks goes to Nick for driving us up to Twyford.

Cheers

 

Super pics, Oli, thanks

Were you at Southbury Lane?

I've not been there but it looks a nice location on Google Street View. Do many people go there for the trains? I normally go to Sonning by the Golf Club.

 

http://david1984.fotopic.net/p64254235.html a photo for all to see

 

So does the GUV belong to West Coast?

 

The Bristolian was actually 7 coaches for a castle, but as you say it was strenghtened on a friday to 8 coaches when a king was used.......

 

Did I say 10? Complete brain fade on my part then.

 

Thanks for the kind comments Steve, glad you liked them.

Im not from the area unfortunately and it was my first time there after i was offered an unexpected lift, so unsure on usual amounts of photters after some had arrived after 5043 had been and gone but i would say roughly about 8 - 10 people. Looking at street view, i can confirm that it was Southbury Lane for the Twyford shot. Its not a bad location for fastline working back to london, but once the sun gets behind the trees, shadows fall across the line fairly quickly unfortunately.

Hope this is of some help to you Steve, and will check out the Sonning golf course shot of yours for another visit to the GWML.

Cheers

 

From what i heard lineside, it is west coast owned with tysely helping to finish it off for the Bristolian. If this is true, could be good for future tours hauled by any west coast locos.

 

Yes the GUV does belong to West Coast.......the clue was in the livery.
Will it be used on other charters? I think that should be discussed in a separate thread as there are pros and cons in their future use.
Have started a new thread on water carriers here......http://railways.national-preservati...Carriers.-Are-They-The-Future-On-The-Mainline

 

Thanks Oli. The first and third parts of my video here are shot from the bridge by Sonning Golf Course:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wn9qzvshdJg

 

As a postscript to this day I have been looking through the log and calculate that on the up train about 90.8 miles were covered at an average speed of 75 mph. That included no excessively high speeds, just extremely consistent running around the permitted maximum. Magnificient.

 

Mike Notley's write up is on: http://www.vintagetrains.co.uk/vt_gallery_2010_bristolian_notes.htm