The Cathedrals Express - Ashford to Bristol - 17/12/11

Timings have just been posted on UKSteam, looks like a marathon for everybody involved with running the train

t1217d.htm

Have seen on one of the Yahoo gen groups that it is to overnight at Dollands Moor after the trip and the empty stock with 60163 towed back to London on Sunday.

 

I think this will be the first to 'pick-up' at Twyford.. Quite a few stops !

 

Would of thought Reading would a far better place to stop.

 

If you look at Steam Dreams web site they seem to be stopping at Twyford alot in the first part of 2012.
The first one being this one.

Steam Dreams - operators of The Cathedrals Express steam train trips

 

Lack of platform capacity at Reading due to the station rebuild?

 

At the moment all the platforms are available.

 

I'm sure the line through platform 9 (and possibly 8) was closed when I passed through a couple of weekends ago.

 

Not sure, may of been a temporary closure. I think they are in the process of demolishing the platform 9 buildings (as well as plat 4). I know all the platforms are getting re-numbered soon with the opening of the new Southern platform.

 

Confirmed, platform 9 buildings are no more. Platform 8 is in use though & looks like people stood on platform 9 in front of the fence.

Steam. 70013 Oliver Cromwell at Reading station 8/12/11 - YouTube

 

Yeah, thanks for comments; I tend to think that platform usage is at a premium at Reading now, and when you think that a steam excursion usually takes about 7-8 minutes to get in and out, I'm not surprised that they would prefer it to go through non-stop. The train time indicator on the First GW site will show us on Sat morning what traffic is around at that time and possibly solve the question. Anyway, good weather for Saturday.....we hope.....will be my 3yo grand daughters first steam siting...just watch the steam valve go in the station!!!!!

 

9 late off Ashford; 8:52 arrived Orpington

 

Is it hauling the chocolate and cream stock today? If it is, it will probably be the same
stock as the C.E. to Sherborne on Wednesday with a blue and grey Mk.2 in the consist. <BJ>

 

Yep. Same stock as Wednesday.

 

Thanks for the reply. Is the blue and grey at the front or the rear? <BJ>

 

At the front.

 

Looked good at Tonbridge this morning - 60163 "Tornado" - The Cathedrals Express @ Tonbridge - 17.12.11 - a set on Flickr
Arrived early and was held to allow a service train to pass and to ensure passengers boarding there did not miss the train.

 

Approx 5 late of Bromley South.

 

Some cracking photos there. We could even have sun at Twyford by the time sha arrives !

 

Through into sonning cutting at 11:24

 

60163 reported Tilehurst 11:41, Didcot 11:55 on the fasts. <BJ>