The Marches, Saturday Nov 26th

Two steam tours to Ludlow/Shrewsbury on the same day.

Steamdreams "Cathedrals Express" with 60163 Tornado at the sharp end and Pathfinders "Marches Monarch" with 6024 King Edward I

Looking at the pick up times on the respective websites it would appear that Tornado will be around 30 minutes behind the King at the Severn tunnel on the outward leg.

 

Times for both tours are on UKsteam.info now

http://www.uksteam.info/tours/t11/t1126d.htm

http://www.uksteam.info/tours/t11/t1126c.htm

 

There's also a paraffin can special to Ludlow that day for the Christmas markets, looks like it's routed south from Salop on the outward, guess about 13.00 at Ludlow, in the middle of the kettle times.

 

Hmmm - might have a day out from Blackpool on the train for this. Finding a station in the Shrewesbury/Hereford area for a half decent shot will be the challenge - unless a friendly local can point me in the right direction - please ?!

 

Craven Arms for the northbound trains might not be a bad bet.

 

It's worth walking a mile or so south from Craven Arms to Stokesay Castle. There are some fine views from the hillside on the west of the line. Does Craven Arms still have its semaphore signals? There used to be quite a nice view from the first overbridge north of the village, with a tall bracket signal beside the line. By the way, which way is "up" on that stretch? I guess it's probably the southbound line, but I would not be sure?

The best climb is from Abergavenny to Llanvihangle. It's a short taxi ride from Abergavenny station. There are some superb views from the slopes of Bryn Arw. In the past, I've found the farmers along there to be very friendly and helpful, so long as you ask first, and shut the gates behind you.

 

Thanks all for you replies. Length of walk is dependant on the weather I guess; could be a nice day out for loco's in my favourite colour :evil:

 

Hi Can anyone recommend a decent spot to Phot 6024 & 60163 I am new to living in Wales so havent really got my bearings yet I was looking at Llandavanny? any suggestions gratefully received

 

See posts 7 and 8, above.

 

Church Stretton is an excellent spot as it is at a summit in both directions (well just to the south of the station actually!). Either way, the locos will be working!

 

According to UK Steam info, Tornado is booked a water stop at Abergaveney. Would that be in the platforms or a loop nearby ?

 

Tornado will almost certainly go into in the loop just before the station, as the 12:09 departure from Newport is booked to overtake (Arr Abergavenny 12:32).

David

 

Ok, thank you for that info.

 

Try the Green Dragon in Little Stretton. Good choice of local real ales and food.

 

Can anyone give an idea of the movements around the Shrewsbury area while the trains are there for someone who doesn't know the station well but has a track plan? I can't go anywhere else as I am at the mercy of ATW and a limited ticket budget!

 

Shrewsbury, Cotton Hill is to the North of the station. Both trains are booked to turn, rather than just the engine. Both are out through P7 and back through P4 to Cotton Hill, all times on UKsteam. Hope that helps.

 

Which platforms will they be arriving and departing from?

Thanks,
Lewis

 

6024 is booked into platform 4 and also departs from platform 4. 60163 is booked into 4 and departs from 7.