VT - Cotswold Explorer - 20th October

All, I didn't see a thread for this one, so here we are.

Cotswold Explorer featuring 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe - Sat 20 October 2012

5043 "Earl of Mount Edgcumbe" from Tyseley to Oxford. On the outbound we are going via Worcester, Sapperton Bank (past my old house), Swindon and Didcot.

The return is along the North Cotswold line to Worcester, then back to Tyseley via Old Hill (47 piloting from Worcester to Tyseley)

We have a couple of seats left if anyone fancies a lovely day out!

 

Looking forward to this one, the climb up sapperton in the stormy april weather with the great britain trip has been a highlight of mainline steam up through the golden valley this year. Fingers crossed for beautiful sunshine for this trip, i can report as i type, looking out my window at chalford viaduct right now the leaves are changing colours all around and surely in a week even more colour will be blossoming. Should make some great photography, heres hoping.

 

uksteam shows a nice start and end time too. If its a nice day it will be difficult to decide between seeing this and 46233 crossing Harringworth.

 

Minor change to the program. We are no longer being joined by 47-773 at Worcester SH on the return, so 5043 is climbing Old Hill unassisted.

Sorry to all the Cl47 fans!

 

Hmm I wonder if there will be complaints about "changes to what was advertised" and "misleading the customer" eh Ben?

Why was the 47 thought to have been needed but now not required?

 

I know - adding more unassisted steam miles and hill-climbs. How dare we! I await the flurry of complaints...

We are now taking a splash-and-dash at Moreton-in-Marsh on the return, so we can make it all the way back to Tyseley without assistance from "modern traction".

 

Pity about that stop at Hinksey on the outward. So close to Oxford and yet the train has to sit there for 42 mins. Assume for pathing purposes?

 

Could be water actually, unless there's a supply where it stables during the layover, it has to last till Moreton in Marsh.

 

It's actually a pathing stop. We are stabling back in the loop, so we will take water after we have dropped off the passengers. If we are alowed into the platform early, we will take the slot.

Moreton-in-Marsh is going to be a splash-and-dash.

 

Just made a late booking on this to console myself for the disappointment resulting from the postponement of the Marylebone Flyer. The change to steam haulage throughout was a clinching factor in deciding to travel. Oxford is an appealing destination too. I’m much looking forward to the climbs of Sapperton and Old Hill banks and hope that leaves on the line will not be an issue. Fingers crossed that coach D will be somewhere near the loud end of the train.

Nick M.

 

Originally Posted by campainr Hmm I wonder if there will be complaints about "changes to what was advertised" and "misleading the customer" eh Ben?

I hardly think so - we are looking forward to it

 

5043 'Earl Of Mount Edgcumbe' dep Tyseley right time at 07.50.

Thanks to John. <BJ>

 

0937 bredon. Slightly late going well in superb light

 

1057 Sappwrton flattened! Ethereal mist and very atmospheric

 

On time through Swindon at 11.16.

 

Brilliant climb up sapperton, thought the fog was going to ruin the shot but made it very atmospheric, heres my effort

GWR NO. 5043 EARL OF MOUNT EDGCUMBE CLIMBING SAPPERTON 20/10/2012 - YouTube

 

Fabulous video Eggbert!

 

Yep, absolutely stormed Sapperton, could hear it well up to the exit of the tunnels

 

Video now up here
121020 5043 Bredon & Sapperton Cotswold Explorer - YouTube

and for fun here's a shortened version at Bredon comparing "sheep gricing" attitudes !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zRPYpsYumE&feature=youtu.be

 

The Old Worse and Worse has delays on the down. Preceeding London to Woster DMU left Oxford 15.32 (9 late) which has deteriorated to some 40 late leaving Moreton - in - M.