The Christmas Cheshireman 30/11/2013

Times now on UK steam (with links to RTT)
http://www.uksteam.info/tours/t13/t1130c.htm

Interestingly listed as Bristol to Crewe via Chester now (was just to Chester) so some extra mileage for the punters, if they choose.

Edit: Looks like the Portbury - Fiddlers Ferry coal is about 15 mins in front, lets hope they don't put a 70 on it

Edit2: Should cross a pair of 37's just before Cwmbran working Whitchurch - Portsmouth!

 

Siding space issues at Chester as the other Brit is working to Chester from Euston...



Posted elsewhere.......

30/11/2013 Chester – with a pair of Brits.

On Saturday 30th November 2013 two charters are booked to visit Chester.

70000 Britannia is due to haul the Steam Dreams Cathedrals Express from London Euston to Chester and return.
70013 Oliver Cromwell is due to haul The Railway Touring Co Cheshireman from Bristol Temple Meads to Crewe via Chester and return.

Both charters will be arriving and departing at more or less the same time.

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/advanced/CTR/2013/11/30/0000-2359?stp=S&show=all&order=wtt

 

Interesting that the ECS Southall-Bristol move on Friday 29th Nov is booked via Reading in the middle of day. Signs that the Reading blockade has been lifted maybe ?

 

Steam hauled, or with DL pilot? Either way, an encouraging sign.

 

Don't know? They are still in the middle of building the new viaduct west of the station & it's all still bit of a mess.

 

Work on the viaduct is not really affecting the running lines at present. The work on the station is running well ahead of schedule and platform work should be finished next April. There are already plenty of running roads available through the station !

 

Will this have a diesel on the back? It may be prudent given the news from Parkstone today and the time of year (poor railheads etc). This train has a cold start from Bristol up Filton, then a climb of Llanfihangel from a standing start at Abergavenny according to the times I have seen?? I am aiming for Llanfihangel (second visit in a week) so I hope all works out OK.

 

Depends on the load and heating arrangement I guess, not all coaches are steam heat anyway.

 

70013 through Bath Spa with support coach at 12:35 heading for Bristol. The stock for the tour is en route from Carnforth. <BJ>

 

good news!

 

Through Goring at 10.46.Took modest camera as was expecting a diesel.

 

Problems regarding the Carnforth to Bristol stock. Below is the message that was posted earlier.

''Believe this is having issues at Preston, reports that it was dragged into Preston by 57302, 37685 has failed, it's paired with 37516.
Apparently 57313/316? are heading to rescue it.''

The train is now running 192 mins late. <BJ> http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50614/2013/11/29/advanced>

 

5 locos involved! If it had 2 37's why did it need a 57 to rescue it, then 2 MORE 57's to take the stock on. What a waste of resources.

 

The stock has arrived at Bristol .....237 mins late. <BJ>

 

A single 37 will haul 11/12 coaches, but will hardly get a move on (much like allocating a Black 5 the same load) being only a Type 3, so if you want to get a move on you need two of them, if one goes bang you can limp to the nearest loop or station, but don't really want to be plodding down a double track section of WCML with a Pendo rapidly closing in, to move that load at any speed you want a Type 4 minimum.

No idea why two/three 57's though.

 

Simples..

57302 = DRS.. not owned by West Coast, safe to presume it was a thunderbird rescue situation. (Nearest and Fastest to clear the way)
57313/6 = West Coast, presumably to send the train on it's way as the 37's weren't obviously going to do it.

What is less simple is the lack of a vac brake diesel in the Bristol area should 70013 get in trouble.. (presuming the 37s' stayed north).

 

Don't the 33's have dual brakes ?.

 

Which Bristol depot is 70013 using - BH or SPM? Thanks.

 

SPM see http://www.uksteam.info/tours/t13/t1129q.htm