9466 on the Looe branch 19th/26th Sept

Hi, could anybody suggest a good place to watch the light engine movement from on Monday?

ta George

 

Don't the Brits love to moan! It's a fantastic event, let's enjoy and just not do anything stupid.

 

I have to say the run back from Liskeard to Plymouth on the Royal Albert tour behind 9466 in the evening after the branch trips was fantastic! Lively run, roaring loco and great evening atmosphere. Running over the Tamar Bridge as the light faded, watching the sparks float down into the river and then simply flying above the streets of plymouth with the exhaust echoing off the houses, magic stuff the branch trips were fun, and historic of course, but the mainline let her stretch her legs a bit. If anyone is thinking of taking the train back to Plymouth next sunday evening then i'd definitely recommend it.

 

The run back to Plymouth really was in the awesome category and I understand there are still tickets for this Sunday's repeat!

D1004

 

haha I was sorely tempted myself! but i want to see a little from the lineside this time.

 

Sadly the booked arrival at Plymouth is at exactly the same time as the last possible train home for me so I'll have to miss this one unfortunately.

 

Ian

Not so - I think you'll find that the redoubtable Mr Randles' UKSteam site is still showing the provisional timings. The 'Royal Albert II' has since been re-timed to arrive at Plymouth at 19.49, specifically to provide a connection with the last Up London FGW service, which departs at 19.58.

Suggest you check, when booking with the good people at Vintage.

JS

 

Just do it again next year please when there isn't Blackpool 125 in the way

 

Thanks John. I'll give them a call.

 

James,
You were right, the run in from Liskeard is timed to make a connection with the 19:58 to Paddington. The $64,000 question now is "will FGW hold the 19:58 if the Royal Albert II is late?"

 

It won't be late - it's steam hauled!!

 

Last Sunday the Looe - Liskard with 9466 was due in at 16.15 which clashed with the

train to Paddington times, but 9466 was about 10-15 minutes early I presume so people

could make there connection. and there were a lot of them.

Mike M. (70c)

 

Times now updated on uksteam.

http://www.uksteam.info/tours/t10/t0926b.htm

 

Ah but it's GWR.
Seriously though, tickets booked. Now to find someone who wants a first class ticket on the 20:01 from Newton Abbot to Reading. Mines not a lot of use now as I'll be on a later train now.

 

The timing confusion probably cost them a few passengers last time as i heard quite a lot of people worrying about the same thing. To be fair the first time around we arrived pretty early and with plenty of time to take a few pictures before catching the re-timed train home. not that i'd want to be held accountable if it all went wrong lol!

 

I'm abandoning the car at Taunton, so I can take advantage of the ticket from Newton Abbot. It also means less driving on the way back home to Pembrokeshire (although it will still be gone midnight by the time I get home, and I have to work at 9AM on Monday- a typical thing that only happens whenever I plan something interesting). I had my tickets yesterday.

 

First class day out today. Good run on the branch, two cracking shots from the lineside and a very spirited dash back to Plymouth. Good old fashioned railtouring. Now relaxing in first class on the way home.
Well done to all concerned - VT, FGW and the 9466 crew and anyone else who helped make the event a success.

 

Yes, a grand day out. Now, in Cornwall only Bere Alston to Gunnislake remains for a post 'real steam days' visit by steam; all the rest of the Beeching survivors have been covered. What are the chances of the IoW no. 24 'Calbourne' being renumbered into the old 02 series to replicate the former steam power on the Callington branch? Shall let you know when I've won the National Lottery.

Seriously, though, I think this well organised operation did a power of good for PR for railways in the local community.

 

Had a great run on the last train yesterday.
The run back to Plymouth was excellent;
found it hard to believe we were doing under 45mph!
Shame it seems unlikely to be repeated,
talking to one of the crew at Plymouth,
they were of the opinion VT have lost money on it.
I guess it's the usual problem of Cornwall being so far down,
costs a lot to get there, and takes up a lot of time.
Still at least the locals (like me) were able to ride a trip for once,
instead of linesiding a trip from those foriegn parts east of the Tamar.

Many thanks to all who made the trips possible.

 

Quite enjoyed it myself, something unique, and the scenery along the River Looe was fantastic. We also had the weather in our favour, which helped. The Pub landlord at the Boar's Head in Liskeard was saying that he wished that there could be steam every summer for obvious reasons... He'll probably be disappointed to learn that it won't be a regular thing now.