The Royal Duchy 2012

If you want free parking then a number of people park down by the river,think its right by the roundabout just after the station if coming from m32.

 

Re: Te Royal Duchy 2012

I know where you mean. I'll check it out if we arrive in good time.

 

Re: Te Royal Duchy 2012

Clarence road Map of Clarence Road, Bristol, BS1

I have parked there many times and have had no problems( even over night on 3 ocasions).

 

Re: Te Royal Duchy 2012

You probably mean Clarence Road. From the M32 continue past Bristol TM station, go round the roundabout bearing left with the river on your left. Free parking further along. <BJ>

 

Te Royal Duchy 2012

Thats the one. Will try and park there myself as I've got no change....

 

Re: Te Royal Duchy 2012

You on the train tomorrow?

 

Te Royal Duchy 2012

In my stewarding capacity,yes. Black/brown hair,glasses should you see me come say hello!

 

Re: Te Royal Duchy 2012

Coach F. Specs also but folically challenged.

 

Re: Te Royal Duchy 2012

70013 passed Long Ashton, Bristol on time at 09:58. <BJ>

 

Re: Te Royal Duchy 2012

Photos of Oliver Cromwell moving off from a cooler and damper Temple Meads.

The Royal Duchy August 12th 2012 - a set on Flickr

 

Re: Te Royal Duchy 2012

70013 Oliver Cromwell down Exeter St Thomas on time at 1126. Thanks to CGW. <BJ>

 

Re: Te Royal Duchy 2012

Reported to have stalled on Rattery after being signal checked.
Soon on the move due to "skilful driving" arrived Plymouth 2 minutes early, being held for late running service train to pass.

 

Re: Te Royal Duchy 2012

70013 departed Plymouth 9 late so problem thankfully sorted. <BJ>

 

Re: Te Royal Duchy 2012

Fair play to the driver then restarting on Rattery, though Im curious what circumstances caused it to be checked there of all places, I thought it was standard practice for steam over the banks, if a clear run wasn't availible up Rattery, that the steam was held east of Totnes station until the section was clear ?,

 

Re: Te Royal Duchy 2012

OC was scheduled to be looped in Dawlish Warren to let FGW and Cross Country trains past. The FGW service was on time but the Cross Country was late, therefore OC was let out of Dawlish Warren loop early after the FGW. I was on Dainton and I thought OC was not that far behind FGW but I thought in these cases a slow run down to Totnes is made to create a suitable gap.

 

Re: Te Royal Duchy 2012

That was my understanding too, I've been westbound over the banks 3 times now and each time the descent of Dainton towards Totnes could be described as Cautious.

 

Re: Te Royal Duchy 2012

Full credit to Driver for a successful re-start on Rattery!!

 

Re: Te Royal Duchy 2012

After seeing The Royal Duchy on Dainton I made a leisurely drive back to Plymouth. When I reached Rattery where the road goes over the line I was surprised to see there were still photographers about. A couple of minutes later OC appeared. Not often it’s possible to film the same train on both Dainton and Rattery. Video up later after I’ve seen the return trip.

 

Re: Te Royal Duchy 2012

The late Bryan Dudley Ward told me that if a train was unlikely to have cleared the very long section from Totnes up Rattery, it was the RULE to ease down towards Totnes. Under no circumstances was a stop at the bottom of Rattery an option. There is a signal on the approach to Totnes station that, almost like an outer home signal in semaphore days, which if green meant the road was clear up the bank. If the signal remained stubbornly on amber at caution, the train would continue at crawling pace to the approach to Totnes. From a fair distance out the signal at the bottom of the bank can be seen by the driver and when green he can give it HELL from around the private Buckfastleigh line.

Most famous drama known, was when Green Arrow actually came to a stop in Totnes with a red light. It was a wet day and everyone I spoke to said (I will avoid the swear words) "there is absolutely no way the 60800 will climb Rattery from a standing start in the awful weather". The fact that we did, spoke volumes for the Welsh driver who normally fired to Bryan and who names escapes me. It was truly magnificent and a video about Green Arrow not only captures the drama of the moment, it is from footage on the footplate!

Clearly on this occasion, the unwritten rules were not obeyed otherwise there is no way Green Arrow would have found itself in this predicament.

So well done Oliver Cromwell.

 

Re: Te Royal Duchy 2012

No problems on the return. 70013 reported departing Dawlish 10 mins early. <BJ>