70013 to Fishguard, 22 May 2010.

I saw it both ways through Pontyclun and Llanharan respectively. Unfortunately both times I was looking directly into the sun so the photos aren't great. It looked and sounded very good coming through Llanharan this evening though.

 

Just back from a great run behind Nunney Castle, particularly the return. Thanks to RTC and West Coast.

 

Paul, I am sure you meant to mention the support crew? For your trip we worked from Wed afternoon 'till 00.30 this morning............

Ian.

 

Thanks JMR. Quotes like this makes it all worth while. The support crew had a whale of a time as well.

See you all very soon.

Ian.

 

Sorry I forget. Thanks for all the support crews efforts. I wish post some photo's later. I have noticed the number on the front changed from 734 to 718 to 175 at Fishguard.I am Looking forward to traveling behind Nunney again on " The Cornish Riviera".

 

734 was the Down 'Red Dragon' which ran from Paddington to Carmarthen. At Fishguard we changed it to 718 which was the number of an Up train from Fishguard to Paddington but we were asked by a press photographer to put the Red Dragon headboard back on so we changed it to 175 as this year marks the 175th anniversary of the founding of the Great Western Railway.

 

We certainly did have a whale of a time, despite the clammy weather!

 

A selection of my Photo's can be found at http://paul-simpson.fotopic.net/c1852413.html

 

An excellent day out, and well done to the support crew for making the effort not only to ensure that the locomotive was in tip-top condition, but finding the time to put the train codes and headboards on the smokebox- its details like that that really enhance a locomotive. My GPS stated that we topped Manorowen Bank at 18MPH, having started the 1 in 50 climb in the mid-20s. I was in the last coach and didn't notice any assistance form the 47, so I think 5029 was on her lonesome. We also passed through my village halt (closed 1964), Wolfscastle for Treffgarne Rocks at a creditable 69MPH. The run between Bridgend and Pencoed was particularly barn-storming, sprinting the much better side of 70MPH. A shame about Cockett, but there's always next time on a trip to Carmarthen...

 

Well I certainly agree with others that travelled in saying what a fantastic trip it was. Luckily I managed to get a seat in the leading passenger coach which certain allowed me to hear the fantastic bark of 5029 throughout. The guy opposite me was also booked on the East Coast Diversion so RTC gained at least 2 more bookings from that cancelation on Thursday. Many thanks to everyone involved with 5029 and of course RTC.

 

Here are a few pictures I took during the prep and the railtour:

http://benjervis5029.fotopic.net/c1852619.html

 

Superb pictures Ben.

Seeing your new crew member Barbara makes me think that you should run her one day as "Barbara Castle"

Mind you for that I suppose you'd have to paint her red and put a Slough shed plate on.

This "humour" may be lost on the younger members of the forum :rolleyes1:

 

Seeing as I am one of the younger members on here (I'm 20) it did get me thinking, but Google/Wikipedia came to the rescue!

Good joke mate, you'd make a good support crew member... Our jokes are terrible!

Ben

 

OK I'm available, I'm good with the Brasso, where do I apply?

 

Check out our website www.5029nunneycastle.co.uk , all the info is on the 'Contacts' page. Message me if you have any questions!

Ben