Torbay Express Season 2012

It is a GWR route throughout to Weymouth. The LSWR route ended at Dorchester Jc, but the former Weymouth-Portland branch was joint.

 

Very interesting thanks, but which company built the Weymouth to Portland branch ? Was it both of them or did one have running rights ?

 

Britannia at Bristol with train so should be ok today

 

I think Julia Bradbury walked Weymouth to Portland for one of her Railway Walks programmes but I can't remember who operated it.
Colin.

The branch seems to have been jointly operated by GWR/LSWR.

 

The Weymouth-Portland branch was built by two indepoendent companies, but from the outset it was operated jointly by the GWR and LSWR/SR. This continued right up to nationalisation. Responsibility for the line infrastructure alternated between the two companies every few years - a very unusual arrangment ! After nationalisation it was first Western Region and then later Southern Region although locos and stock of both regions could be seen working the line. But we have wandered way off topic !

David

 

Torbay should provide a sunny welcome for the TE today - however, it may all change in 2 hours!

 

Brit was fantastic again today,the return shot this time near Starcross is now up:

70000,Starcross | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Cheers,
Mark

 

Excellent, superb, brilliant. A really, really good day.

The climb of Whiteball in both directions was very, very good but the highlight of the day for me was the final climb to the mini-summit at Flax Bourton. We had signals at Worle Junc and even when out on the mainline so the acceleration was gentle. I was thinking well we ain’t go to do much here tonight but then I realized speed was building through the 50’s and into the 60’s. The exhaust was quiet, the locomotive was not beening pushed but speed continued to build in a brilliantly judged acceleration, we raced through Yatton at 72.5 mph and hit 75 mph right at the foot of the climb, and there the speed stayed. On and on we went, the exhausted deepened a little at Nailsea and Backwell but the locomotive seemed to be just flying effortlessly, as if we were still on level track, not 1 in 200. Speed only edged back to 74.5 mph / 74 mph at the summit as we plunged into the tunnel. Truly brilliant enginemanship fro Fred Lewis and Dave Proctor.

From the our list of 34 climbs this is the 2nd fastest, only 60163 has covered the section faster when we’ve been on board, also with an 11 coach train.

Many thanks to all who made today’s run happen.

 

I understand that the train was travelling at 62 mph at Whiteball summit on the return (unconfirmed).
Britannia booked again for the TE next week. Loco turned on arrival at Bristol TM. <BJ>

 

photos of 70000 through dawlish going to kingswear at keyhamtrain - HOME video at keyhamtrain's channel - YouTube

 

Ryan Tranmer wrote on SWRG yesterday:

''Some heap arr Paignton 17:17 7L with 1Z28 Kingswear-Bristol When will they put a real loco on like a 66?''

This just highlights the mentality of a small majority of modern day trainspotters. Very sad. <BJ>

 

Well yes, but wasn't it a comment on the "bashing" being indulged in by others ? A fair comment at that !

 

But what if the boot was on the other foot? I suggest that it would be like World War 3 if we dared to criticise his preferred form of traction. <BJ>

 

Really, a 66 ned is in no position to moan at others choice of traction, it's saying something that most diesel cranks over 20 look down at this type, I suggest anyone curious at his behaviour takes a look at a few threads on modern traction forums about these kiddies antics trying to gets horns out of 66's and various dull units and generally getting far to over excited flapping arms about and screaming, it's mainly thanks to this generation of morons in their late teens early 20's now that cranks are getting a reputation for being complete nutters.

I find your love of modern rubbish strange but each to their own, but stop acting like bloody dribbling vegetables!.

I'd suggest there might be a heavy loss on the tour if you ran it with the load 1 that a shed would command, these "shed lovers" are hypocritical little pillocks anyway, all they care about is a red line under a number in their book, it can be consigned to the scrapyard after that for all they care.

 

Some of the folks on SWRG wet themseleves whenever a Class 150 in a different colour scheme appears, so I think their opinions can safely be ignored.

 

That's exactly the type im on about, I woulden't understand an obsession with Units, but as I said earlier, each to their own, it's reacting to it like your about to have sex with a supermodel and slagging off anything else on wheels that irks me, I really do cringe at the idea I might be viewed as being like this due to others having seen this lot and thinking they are typical cranks.

 

62 mph was shown on the GPS but looking at 1/4 mile times speed might have fallen to 61 mph, either way a very good performance.

We were also told 70000 again next week, 71000 still unavailable. Also the train will have an extra coach next week.

 

Although I respect your comments I find your comments about my age range quite offensive as you clearly don't refer to a majority or minority us in our 20s are not all morons troublemakers or whatever you want to describe this age range as we all have our opinions and we are allowed to express them but taking a swipe at young train spotters and enthusiast is not the way to respond I'm 22 and would rather steam traction but obviously others don't however that doesn't give you the right to call A age range how you feel appropriate enough said.

 

You misunderstand me, If I was referring to everyone in their 20's, you'd find I would be slagging off myself as being in that age range, anyway just for clarity im not tarring anyone that age with the same brush, it's the type Malc mentions.

To be honest the age of these people is irrelevant, it's the attitude and way they act, the fact they seem to be teens and 20 somethings is a coincidence.

My post was more aint at a particular group than age, aplogies if that got lost in translation but hopefully I've clarified the point for you, I have crank friends of the age range mentioned who are decent enough guys.