2010 'TORBAY EXPRESS'

Very nice shots. Well done. I'm not too happy about the guy stood at the top of the Duke's boiler at Dawlish Warren though!! <BJ>
http://keyhamtrain.fotopic.net/p66012301.html

 

71000 1Z28 Aller Jct 17:33, NA 17:36, Rewe 18:20 and Whiteball 18:33. Thanks to posters. <BJ>

 

Working up through Torre

 

71000 1Z28 safely back to Bristol TM 3 mins early at 20:35. Good to see Insp Ewens on the footplate once again. <BJ>

 

He's a very easy Photoshop removal job though!

Make a lovely photo even better.

 

Great day out following the Duke today. A bit of a gloomy start weatherwise at Yatton, but the sun came out in Devon. Here is my shot of 71000 climbing Goodrington.

 

Excellent Pictures.

Great Engine.

 

My video of The Torbay Express - 18th July 2010 - with 71000 Duke of Gloucester. Videos taken at Cogload Junction and Whiteball on the outward run, Powderham on the return.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLxqLqp-7x0

 

TE on 1st August cancelled according to UKsteam.

 

Great vid Keith. Not seen the TE from that viewpoint at Powderham before.

 

Thanks Stu. I keep looking for different viewpoints. I also found another viewpoint near Powderham which I shall try in the future.

 

I thoroughly enjoyed a day out on the trip to Kingswear last Sunday hauled by 71000. Frankly I was quietly pleased that 60163 was out of action as I'd been pulled by that loco last year on the same trip so it was good to have a change. I was a tad disappointed though that the run between Newton Abbot and Exeter along the estuaries and the coast was so slow due to a stream of amber signals. I've since been told that we were indeed following a service train. However the run through Somerset was excellent and the loco sounded in fine form.

I've uploaded a few photos if you're interested....

http://clive-hanley.fotopic.net/

 

Hello All,

A couple of photographs I took of Class 8P 4-6-2 71000 DUKE OF GLOUCESTER hauling the returning "The Torbay Express" as it approached Newton Abbot Station on Sunday 18th. July 2010 have been added to my fotopic gallery.

Link Here;

http://preservedrailwaylocomotivephotosbyrichardsmith.fotopic.net/c1874440.html

Best regards SteamHawk216.

 

Just a quick question if 6024 was to do the 1st August trip & that is now cancelled looking at uk steam info, is the 8th & 15th August still going to be 71000 ?
I see that 6024 is in brackets next to 71000 for the 8th August. Also can't see anything on the Torbay Express web site !
Just interested to know as I will be in Devon on the 8th August but if it's not on that trip I might have to go down this weekend.

 

Went online today to book next week's Torbay Express, only to find out it's been cancelled again. Twice in a row that's happened to me now

 

Cant blame the World Cup this time (Aug.1st.) no doubt the hike in price is beginning to have an effect.

 

71000 'Duke of Gloucester' hauling the Torbay Express, going like the wind through Long Ashton near Bristol at 09:23 en route to Kingswear. <BJ>

 

Well just got home from a fabulous day on the TE. Everything ran like clockwork, the atmosphere was fantastic, the weather perfect and oh what a day.

It was truly a day of two halves. The highlight of the return was a good run over Flax Bourton, circa 72 mph into the tunnel and 4th fastest time over the measured section I use. Not unduly pressed on Whiteball and the usual start-stop run along the coast.

But this morning oh, what a mountain of superlatives I must find to describe the running that Paul Burns, Tommy Rees, Vince Henderson and Steve Matthews served up. Even from the very beginning we just purred out of Bristol and swept over Flax Bouton at 68 mph. The time to Weston-Super-Mare a mind boggling 22 min 22 sec.

But better was to come. We shot out of W-S-M like a scolded cat. The usual crowds waved us away and their good wishes did us proud. 4 miles from uphill junc we are at 75 mph and how the phoenix flew across the levels. Easing slightly for the Bridge restriction at Bridgewater we were soon cruising again. Even the climb over the viaduct at Cogload junc saw a minimum of just 73 mph and Taunton was reached 1 min 22 seconds faster than I have ever clocked before, easily under even time.

But there was more. After this flying start we wondered what Whiteball would bring? Departure was held for a late running HST and our crew needed no more incentive to add to the already brilliant running. 71000 set off as if Whiteball was just some kind of Western Region myth. 61 mph by Victory and speed was still building, reaching 67 by Wellington. Now the climb really bites and with 11 coaches speed was bound to fall, but only slowly. We entered Whiteball tunnel at no less than 54 mph and 1 min 27 seconds faster than any other TE I have logged, the previous best being with 60163 and 6024 not far behind. Simply outstanding, breathtaking, a true demonstration of just how superbly 71000 stands alone as the pinnacle of British Steam locomotive design. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was the fastest every from a standing start with such a load.

And still 71000 had plenty left. Over the top we cruise up to 75 mph before brakes for the restriction at Tiverton. Past the platforms once again 71000 was let fly we were away to Exeter. Not for many years has the stop watch clicked with such freedom and we rolled into Exeter in 31 minutes 31 seconds. (30.75 miles inclusive of Whiteball and a platform restriction to 40 (ish) mph. Truly staggering.

Onward we went and there was no holding back. Mr Burns wasn’t for staying long in Exeter today as we sped away. In fact the running had been so brilliant that we caught a train at Teighnmoth that may have been the HST that passed us at Taunton! Finally Torre bank was dismissed in the style to which we had by that stage become accustomed.

Having travelled on 71000’s record breaking trip on the Devon banks this run was of the same character. Truely awesome.

Many thanks to all involved and especially the 71000 engineering team who have once again turned out a truly impressive machine.

 

An excellent report No.7. Thanks for that and I'm glad that you enjoyed your day.

71000 appeared to be going very fast today and as usual looked superb. <BJ>

 

Very good report of a very good run.