70000 and 6024 LE double-header today, 5th April, WSR to Didcot

If anyone can send in any updates on this move, I'll be grateful

http://www.uksteam.info/tours/t11/t0405p.htm

 

It's due through Swindon so I'm intending to see this. I checked the WSR webcam just before 9.30am and I could see steam from the yard area at BL, so that suggests the move is still happening as planned.

I'll be interested to see what form the consist is because of 6024 being detatched at Didcot. Will it be 2E+2C, or E+C+E+C to ease shunting at Dicot...?

 

70000 will continue later in the afternoon from Didcot to Southall. There is also a movement from Southall to Didcot earlier in the day. I am not sure what this is - possibly a diesel, or is it someting else ? All time are at www.uksteam.info/tours/t11/t0405p.htm

David

 

Through Worle a few minutes early.

Formation: 70000+6024+C(6024)+C(70000)

 

Arriving at Bristol 10 mins early

 

It's the stock for WCR's loaded test of 70000 from Didcot to Southall.

 

Thanks for all the info!

So, with it timed to pass Reading at 15.44, same time as HST departure to Paddington, and 4 minutes before a stopper, I guess it will come through on p9......

 

Has it always been the case that DBS & WCRC require independant test runs ?.

 

I was going to go to Tilehurst to see this this afternoon. Now I see according to uksteam there is a smelly box attached. I am now worried it will be in front of 70000, so now thinking twice about going. I will be unable to see 70000 Thursday morning due to other commitments & it's return is a bit late the same day.

 

With it being a loaded test run, it seems unlikely they'll put the diesel on the front. I'm going to Reading Station to try to see it.

 

Latest issue of the RM has a story saying that 70000's debut run on Thursday is only running with 70000 if she passes a Braking test run. Sorry can't remember the exact wording. I guess today is the brake test run. Don't know what the standby loco would be if she didn't pass (which is highly unlikely!)

 

Couple of hours stop-over at Didcot. Maybe they'll take the opportunity for a quick repaint into BR Blue, I believe they had some tins left over

 

Brushes all at the ready, unfortunately today's rain has put a stop to this cunning plan!!!

 

They past the STEAM Museum about 1/2 hour early. We were having our lunch when we heard the whistling, so we went outside to find they had just past us! So I've just missed seeing 70000 in black and mostly saw the back of the 2 support coaches!

 

Just seen 70000 going passed the car park at work through the trees in to Sonning Cutting would say running about 5mins early.
Not saying it is, but looked to be on the main but couldn't really tell from where I was !
Could hear it long before I saw it, sounded very good.
Dead 37 on back.

 

Interesting, i had always assumed once a loco had a test run and passed, it was Mainline approved regardless of TOC, DBS test ran 70000 to Minehead so unless it failed (which i highly doubt) it suggests the mainline registering only applies to that specific TOC rather than across the board ?.

 

The DBS run was air braked....suggest it may be to test the vacuum brakes? Only a guess.

 

Bit belated, but through Tilehurst on the relief at 15.30 about 5-10 mins up. I think the 37 was ticking over. Not sure if it was air or vac braked. Can anyone confirm if my message from Tilehurst at 15.30 got through please? Steve, I got yours from Reading. Hopefully a short video to follow. Here is a quick screen grab.

 

Yes, thanks for the message buseng, that was helpful. Regarding the brake test, well, she managed to stop OK at Reading platform 9 with a red signal against her

 

Article in Railway Mag said that it was a Vacuam Brake Test Run, other test run was for the air brakes. Did not explain any further DH