Welsh Borders 4th May

Wet conditions near Filton Bank - but it seemed to be running well.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/16582147@N07/sets/72157633399429037/with/8706935258/

Ought to have found a better way to Narroways Junction, but...

 

Saw it at Ebley, near Stroud - on time and in full sun, but exhaust spraying everywhere in true Tangmere style!

 

Leaving Worcester Foregate St
1754

 

Crossing the Severn at Worcester: http://www.flickr.com/photos/david_1984/8708548818/in/photostream

 

I caught this tour - (sadly, totally by accident - but made the best of it I think) at Oxford... Tangmere clagging as per best!

 

Very nice indeed. A classic view improved by the presence of one of Oliver's finest.

 

Tangmere at four locations today.


Great Western Bulleid by mattjspencer, on Flickr

Climbing away from Malvern

 

The dreaded "T" word at about 1:28 in on the video.

 

Drizzle, sun, wind, a bit of everything in this clip, oh yea and a steam train named Tangmere

 

Rather a long one this, bit of a feature film to be honest, (worth watching it all i think for the audio at the end) but here is Tangmere in Oxfordshire

 

Didnt make Sapperton this morning but here's my clip at Malvern Wells on a glorious early May evening. Thanks to all involved in running the train.

 

A couple of photos from around Magor (at water stop and a bit further up towards Rogiet/Severn Tunnel) are up here

 

My video - lots of smoke as usual from Tangmere.

 

Just got back from this mammoth 23 hour day out (had to get to and from Swansea to the start point). I felt that despite the earlier departure/later arrival times, it was an excellent trip through some highly scenic countryside, and over some interesting and challenging stretches of track. 34067 performed faultlessly on the outward journey, with long sections of running at or near the 75mph limit. My GPS recorded minimum speeds of approximately 27mph on Filton; 19mph on Sapperton; 20mph on Colwall and 27mph on Llanvihangel Banks.

However on the return journey, it was noted that she was getting increasingly shy for steam; the rumours on the train related to a badly clinkered fire, and a relatively subdued assault on Llanvihangel indicated that all was not quite A1 up front. Under these circumstances, Driver Churchill and his fireman did extremely well to get 34067 to the Magor water stop on time, taking advantage of the generous time given between Maindee N and E Junctions. We coasted along the Severn Estuary to reach Gloucester at right time at 21:17, but this is where things got interesting. It transpired that the steam pressure had dropped to such an extent that we had to wait 19 minutes for 34067 to 'brew-up', with the FGW Train Dispatcher giving the usual platform change spiel and finger-pointing over the PA. Another generous allowance at Gloucester Yard Junction meant that we trimmed the deficit down to 12 minutes, and we had the road to Parkway. However, the pace was leisurely at best, and the climb of Wickwar Bank had seriously winded 34067, which required a stop in-section about three miles from Yate for another 'brew-up'. We arrived at Westerleigh Junction 40 minutes late, where the more favourable gradients helped carry 34067 back to Bristol Parkway, where I had no choice but to bail out for the last service train connection of the day to Cardiff. This turned out to be a good move for the last service to Cardiff from Temple Meads at 22:54 had departed a full 15 minutes before the arrival of the tour at 23:15. No doubt the true cause of the steaming difficulties will emerge in due course, but overall, and tiredness aside, I enjoyed it!

 

My video of Tangmere at Llanvihangel and Purton .

 

Glad you enjoyed the trip, and thanks for the explanation of the long wait at Gloucester. I was on the station and wondering why it hung around there for so long. It was certainly a good day for photography, as the pictures and videos above show. This was the first steam charter over the Worcester-Malvern-Hereford line for several years, apart from the Royal train. I hope there will be more to come - it is a very secnic route and the steam-age infrastructure in the Malvern area makes a good backdrop for pictures.

 

A thoroughly enjoyable day out chasing the Welsh Borders - a few photos at Compton Beauchamp and Malvern Wells - must have been stood right next to some of you

http://www.flickr.com/photos/d1059/8714274240/in/photostream

http://www.flickr.com/photos/d1059/8714273760/in/photostream

http://www.flickr.com/photos/d1059/8713182917/in/photostream

http://www.flickr.com/photos/d1059/8714304854/in/photostream

http://www.flickr.com/photos/d1059/8714304394/in/photostream

The wind at Compton Beauchamp was very strong, but the exhaust behaved itself. The light at Malvern Wells was wonderful, although 30 mins before Tangmere turned up the cloud was making us nervous


STEVE

 

It would be good to do a re-run of the original 'Cathedrals Express' from Paddington to Hereford. I would certainly relish the opportunity for a run in the reverse direction to Saturday's trip. If the Colwall ban has been lifted, I don't see why this won't happen in due course.

 

I was on the bridge at Compton Beauchamp.

Dave.