August 15th - Head to Head

Anyone any news on the return Dreaming Spires Express please ? Heard it may have been a brake valve sticking but that is not confirmed at all
Dick

Since above just seen a report from 66024 on WRGEN (ta!) that return Dreaming Spires Express running behind 66001 just passed Didcot North Junction at 1736

 

What a comedown! Dragged around by a tatty old Yankee goods box. Don't know how refunds will work on this.
This is why we need a unified organisation, to sort out issues like this. You can't expect Joe Public (normals or enthusiasts) to pay upwards of £100 for this sort of experience.

 

So a unified voice would stop a loco from failing would it?

 

70013 through Swaythling 18:30, right behind the stopper!

Ta everyone!

James at SVN

 

Didn't say that! I was referring to any compensation that might be forthcoming. A unified body could negotiate things better than individuals.

Edit, Greygreen just beat me to it, must of been reading my mind!

 

Point taken.

 

70013 up Shawford 19:00 and going well!

James at SVN

 

Thanks for the update.

 

Dreaming Spires reported as still being on steam timings at Westbury at 1908, so must have taken the planned stop at Challow (Ta Kevin Poole) whether will gain time from now is of interest as the diners should be finishing their meal soon. At least 71000 failing at Eastleigh (disappointing though that was) meant there was a good chance of a loco being readily available! and the trip could be finished. Dick

 

The problem with Wokingham is that if a train off the Ascot line has the green on the approach to Wokingham, it tends to cruise through the station until the train has cleared the junction and so not terribly impressive.

What happened today, according to the Wokingham signalman, was that the train was held outside Wokingham waiting for a down Redhill to depart and clear. This meant the train started from a dead stand and what a difference it made!! Much noisier than normal and well worth being there to witness it, as I did.

Just wish I could crack downloaded all of my Flip HD video images on to You Tube. I must have over 100 great images in HD that would be of interest to others.

 

Up Winchfield on the slow at 75 19:41, 8E!

Great end to the day!

James at SVN

 

Such a pity about the Duke today but as Meatloaf once sang (I witnessed him in Rotterdam Ahoy Stadium in concert) 2 OUT OF 3 AIN'T BAD!

Nick

 

Can anyone clarify what sticking valves actually means? I presume this is a lubrication problem in the cylinder, nothing too serious from what I gather especially as 71000 was moving around Eastleigh yard a bit earlier (source: gen post).

James at SVN

 

Thanks for the update Big Al. Both locos on DCE seemed on good form today - sadly only 3 left this year now it appears in September. Ollie was certainly loud and proud tonight up Parkstone Bank

James re Duke of Gloucester - have heard 3 stories as to cause of failure - one was sticking valves whatever that meant- second was sticking brake valve and third sounded like an injector problem. No idea as to exact details i am afraid!
Glad you had a good day and look forward to films in due course
Dick

 

**WARNING - MAJOR PLUG! **

Phew, what a day! In the end, I did manage to catch all four locomotives on the three railtours, with everything running (rather miraculously) to time! I thought the stand out performers today were 70013 and 4464, 4464 in particular for its performance through Wokingham and 70013 through Shawford and Winchfield (nearly 10 early!). 34067 had a good run through Hook as well, in near sunshine too.

Anyway, here is the link to my video: The Dreaming Spires Express, The Dorset Coast Express and The Cathedrals Express 15-08-12 - YouTube

In case you can't be bothered to read my ramblings (the description), I thought I would split it down on here for you all: 70013 captured at Westbury (13/08), Swaythling, Shawford and Winchfield, 71000 at Freshford (with 66135) and St Denys, 34067 at Hook and 4464 erupting through Wokingham, drifting through Theale and accelerating away from the water stop at Marsh Benham.

Oh, I nearly forgot - I said I would upload a couple of photographs from the day, so here is 71000 at St Denys, 34067 at Hook and 4464 at Theale. I haven't had time to look in detail at each and every one, so some might be better than others.

Den Anhang DSC_2383.JPG ansehen Den Anhang DSC_2394.JPG ansehen

Obviously your comments and criticisms are welcomed, please do not hesitate in contacting me if you have any querys etc... Enjoy!

James at SVN

 

I'll echo what Big Al had to say - today's run back from Weymouth with Oliver Cromwell was superb and sitting in the second coach from the front, the noise it made . . .

Des Shepherd

 

Evening All,

70013 was about three minutes early through Farnborough and only really coasting; it was catching up the previous SWT stopper so no point in hurrying I suppose. The light was fading, but I did manage to get four reasonable shots. Here's the first one; clicking on it will enlarge it and take you to the others :


RD7127. 70013 passing Farnborough. by Ron Fisher, on Flickr

Like the pictures of 'Tangmere' this morning, they can also be seen in the 'Main Line Steam 2012' collection which is here :

Main Line Steam - 2012 - a set on Flickr

Hope that they are of interest.

 

Thanks James - just enjoyed your compilation of last few days - very nice! Dick

 

Thank you very much Dick, I enjoyed filming and editing it too! haha

James at SVN