Bath Spa Christmas Express 30/11 & 7/12

Any news of DoNZ this morning? Just off to the Wylye Valley, hoping the sunshine lasts...

 

She looked grand & was running bang on time this morning when she went through Dunbridge:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_sXSTf_qLo - camera sound (fixed)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NA8HUtcpIs - Zoom H1 sound (fixed)

 

I had found a good vantage point at Bathampton, relatively clear of vegetation, with a beautiful sky, and good light. I also had thought that I had set the camera properly but something went badly wrong.

one that got away 2539 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

When I looked at the lack of focus the air matched the loco.

 

4492 'Dominion of NZ' ran a few minutes late today between Salisbury and Bristol. The blue loco (single tender) looked superb hauling 11 very smart coaches in the crisp winter sunlight.
The return leg ran through Keynsham at speed approx 5 mins late. No diesel assistance today. <BJ>

 

Quick update from the Poole end of the trip. 4492 and ECS was down this morning through Parkstone Station at appx 0710 and the outward leg started with a magnificent ascent of Parkstone Bank unassisted with 11 on. There had been rain a short while before she came up, but that did not appear to have any ill effects and she went over the top of the bank in tremendous style - one of the most enjoyable climbs of Parkstone Bank this year with steam.

However there was an eventful end to the day in Poole area for the Bath and Bristol Christmas Special. 4492 was down through Parkstone station at 2105 accelerating nicely with steam still on.

ECS working back up Parkstone bank was going to be difficult with strong winds and squally rain showers with not wonderful railhead conditions because of the weather.

4492 - tender first - was up through Parkstone Station at about 2235 having already slipped several times and was down to a slow speed through the station and despite a valiant effort slipped to a stand just beyond Sandecotes Road bridge. By time I got back to the car and up to Sandecotes Road they were just short of St Osmunds Road Bridge and trying to restart which thanks to some excellent enginemanship they managed and were away very carefully after a few slips. Excellent recovery from a difficult situation on a horrible night and one that was a privilege to watch. Away through Branksome at around 2255 after apparently stopping at signal before station presumably to confirm that they were ok. Weather was horrible and they did very well to get away without having to call for help.

Ironically the rail cleaner had gone down shortly before ten!
DH

 

Interesting - I had always assumed that the ECS for these workings would be diesel hauled with the steam loco on the back. Presumably DBS are trying to save the cost of providing a diesel loco plus driver.

 

I anticipated that as well King John when they started to run earlier in the summer but they have managed ok so far without, though I am not betting on what will happen next week. Has provided some excellent evening entertainment for us locals and I was rather surprised to be on my own last night even though the weather was foul! Britannia has had quite a following when she has been on the working! DH

 

TBEL has announced that the Bath Spa Christmas Express on 7th December has sold out. These trains have sold exceptionally well throughout the year. <BJ>

 

At Bath Spa on the return working.



Cheers,

Ben

 

That's a lovely shot, Ben. Nice one

Mark

 

There is a possibity of disruption to the Bath Spa Christmas Express train tomorrow. There has been a derailment in the Westbury area. A bus service has been provided to transfer passengers from Trowbridge to Westbury. Padd - Exeter trains are not stopping at Westbury but are using the avoider and calling at Frome. We will have to wait to see how this will affect tomorrows steam charter. <BJ>

 

Fingers crossed, as it was an empty train doing just 5mph then track damage & repairs should be minimal - we can but hope.

 

The BBC think it might be cleared up later on today, but check either National Rail or FGW.

National Rail Enquiries - Current Service Alterations

JourneyCheck - firstgreatwestern - All Stations to All Stations - Live Train Disruption/Cancellations/Delays and Real Time Departure/Arrival Boards

Am wondering if I can manage an in focus shot of the engine this week.

 

It appears that passenger trains are now running through Westbury via a freight loop but are not able to stop at the station. Most trains are running late and a few local trains have been cancelled. If there is still congestion in the area tomorrow, a diversion via Reading and Swindon could be a possibility. <BJ>

 

Update from National Rail Enquiries. <BJ>

'It is expected that normal working will resume start of service 7/12/11'.

 

Indeed, normal working resumed through Westbury at 0600hrs this morning although some points are currently OOU until repairs are undertaken.

 

4492 was on good form again this morning with a splendid climb of Parkstone Bank at 0905 and hopefully will be a good day for one and all DH

 

4492 looking good. Aprox 5 late approaching Bathampton Jn. <BJ>

 

This time I worked out how to use a camera.

Bathampton - Bittern in focus - a set on Flickr

 

Great location, well done.