Torbay Express Season 2012

Yes, it didn't look too clever did it. I'm guessing it happens every day with service trains mind. He only had to stumble / trip for there to have been an accident which like you say could have had far reaching consequences. Unfortunately this is a risk of running steam on the ML and it'll never go away sadly.

 

Nothing to do with running steam.

 

That's correct. There are a number of crossings along this stretch of line that are a risk to all trains, not just steam. I couldn't believe it when he started to go across, he'd have had just as good a view from the side he was originally on. Some people are totally senseless.

 

You haven't read the full post have you Enterprise ?

I didn't say it was to do with running steam. I said, (and it looks clear enough to me reading it again), that the RISK of spectator accidents on occuring on the railway increases when running main line steam specials. Although there's a risk with everyday service trains as well at locations like this the risk isn't as great. That is a simple fact due to the greater interest a steam special attracts along with the desire to photograph which is more likely to lead spectators such as the one shown in the video to take risks like the one we saw him taking.

 

few photos of 70000 on return at aller jun at torbay ex 22-7-12 - keyhamtrain video at keyhamtrain's channel - YouTube

 

Along the sea wall at Dawlish, lovely sight indeed.

 

Spot the Brit Along the Teign Estuary at Shaldon. Will put the video up after I get back from holiday.

 

There's quite a few instances of trespass on the sea wall when there's no steam anywhere near the place (usually numpties on holiday).

While im not condoning trespass, what doesn't help particularly on the Dawlish Warren - Dawlish section is that rather silly bit where the path drops down from track level to virtually sea level and is impassable at high tide with the waves, and the lazy numpties seemingly prefer to do 100 yards on the ballast than take the road on the cliffs behind, why is there this low section in the sea wall ?, seems no good reason for it and just encourages the muppets who don't want to risk getting wet.

 

I think it was to stop the "posh folk" in the houses above that bit having folk walking in front of their view and gauping in their windows?

My shot from last night:
70000,Burlescombe | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Cheers,
Mark

 

A couple of pictures of Britannia taken yesterday. (22.07.2012)

 

On behalf of Dartmouth Steam Railway, operating department, can I extend our thanks to all involved with 70000 for a cracking start to the TBX season! Great engine, can we keep it forever please Mr H?

 

Has anyone got a confirmed loco allocation for the TE this Sunday 5 August ?

Guessing it's 71000 but unlike previous Sundays it hasn't been highlighted on UK Steam !

 

I think 70000 is still at Didcot, so 71000 is the most likely loco.

Sunday 5th will be the first occassion that both The Torbay Express and The Royal Duchy have run on the same day. Looking at UKsteam.info, I see that the TBX is due to overtake the RD while the RD is taking water at Exeter. Where does the RD stop for water - in the station, or in the sidings to the north? Could be quite a historic picture, if you can get both trains in the frame. If, as seems likely, 71000 is on the TBX and 70013 is on the RD, there will be a lot of chime whistling, too, so the sound-track will be as dramatic as the pictures. Sadly, I'll be elsewhere, but I'm sure we can rely on our West Country correspondents to bring us the news on Sunday.

When was the last time that one steam express overtook another at Exeter? 1965?

 

Thanks,yes I felt sure it would be 71000 myself.

I certainly can't recall steam overtaking steam at Exeter in preservervation so 1965 seems as good a bet as any. I'm going to try and travel on both trains if I can though haven't worked out in what form yet. Probably TBX to Taunton, RD to Plymouth, service train to Paignton, TBX to Taunton and finally RD back to Bristol. Bit of a marathon but an interesting twist on the norm !

 

Last week the RD stopped in Platform 6 in both directions. Assume the same will happen this week.

 

Wish I had your bank balance :roll:

 

Well I'm hoping it won't work out too expensive. I find when you turn out on the day, there's spare seats you can get reasonable deals on random one way legs like those described ! Say around £10-£20 for Bristol to Taunton at a guess ? Itll be more I'm sure for Taunton to Par, but as with many things, you don't ask, you don't get !

 

71000 'Duke of Gloucester' was being cleaned and prepared for tomorrow's TE at Barton Hill as I passed this morning.
60163 'Tornado' was also present. 70013 'OC' was in light steam at SPM in preparation for tomorrow's charter to Par.
'BJ' was on his way to B&Q to earn himself some brownie points in preparation for tomorrow's charters. <BJ>

 

Has 60163 been cleaned yet did you notice ?

 

It's cleaner than it was last weekend. One young lad was cleaning the cab this morning.
Clean or dirty, it still looks a very powerful beast. <BJ>