'Torbay Express' 2014

It was a cracking day out for all concerned with a GW loco doing a great job all day. Very impressive indeed!

 

From last Sunday's run at Yatton and Huntspill.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/16582147@ ... otostream/

Huntspill River.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/16582147@ ... otostream/

 

Here’s my video from the 17th, one short clip taken at Whiteball on the outward run. The amount of line side vegetation at this great location makes it difficult to video now.

 

Thankfully Braunton's run from Bristol to Kingswear made up for the other Bulleid railtour of the day.
Instead of seeing Tangmere depart from Castle Cary I transferred across to Cogload Jct to witness 34046
powering away from Taunton .....and very impressed I was. Superb loco, stock, location and weather. <BJ>

 

Competent run from 34046 yesterday. Delayed at Flax Bourton in the morning by an "infrastructure problem" (broken rail ??) Made up the time to Paignton without anything particularly vigorous attempted. Excellent climb unassisted to Churston in the rain, possibly the highlight of the day. Promising climb to Whiteball on the way home hampered by a signal check approaching the summit. Unusually slow over Flax Bourton but we arrive BTM on time.

Thanks to all as usual.

 

So is 4464 going to be heading to Bristol?

 

Looks like 4464 Bittern will haul the next Torbay on the 7th (according to UKsteaminfo) seeing as it's being moved to Bristol the week beforehand and the fact 5029 and 34046 will be in Cornwall after hauling the Atlantic Coast Express the day before.

 

4464 'Bittern' running LE +support coach from Southall to Bristol Barton Hill through Keynsham and into Bristol just after 8am. The support coach appeared to be that of Britannia's Mk.1. <BJ>

 

For photographers heading to the sea wall area tomorrow evening, high tide
is at 17:55, just minutes after the Torbay Express is due to pass. <BJ>

 

Bittern left Bristol this morning on time looked and sounded stunning at Parsons Street in the sunshine

 

Here’s my video from the 7th September, one short clip taken by the River Teign on the outward run, in very poor lighting conditions.

 

Here's my video of Tangers and Bittern in Somerset this morning - great to see steam at speed and master of the job in hand. Thanks to all as ever.

 

The Torbay Express passed Cockwood Harbour at 17:56!! Spot on for high tide. Hords of photographers decended around the harbour.
The sun behaved itself and the water was very still. The reflection of the train was unbelievable.
A couple of guys had driven from Nottingham to get the one shot. I bet they went home with a big grin on their faces. <BJ>

 

Does anyone know who the loco crews were on the TE yesterday, please? <BJ>

 

'Bittern' showed some power yesterday but by the very high standards of the TE it wasn't the best trip I've had. W-S-M to Taunton was restraining. The start of Whiteball was subdue but '19' was open out after Wellington and showed what could be achieved by dropping no more than 10 mph between Wellington and the tunnel. A very promising run to Whiteball in the evening was curtailed when the loco was eased before Tiverton. From Taunton a late running stopper was put out in front of us (class 2 train delays class 1 - sigh) so signal checks all the way to BTM.

Anyway a very good day out as always, thanks to all involved. Crew I believe were:

From Bristol: Driver: Henderson, Fireman: Matthews (?), TI: Ewans
From Paignton: Diver: Thompson, Fireman: Proctor, TI: Cotterill

 

Cr

Circa 73 mph

 

Thanks for the gen. regarding the crews and the speed at Cockwood Harbour. <BJ>

 

From Bristol the fireman was Steve Rodenhurst.

 

For those wishing to see steam from Bristol to the west country this Sunday may I remind you that the Royal Duchy will run via Yatton while the Torbay Express will run via Bath. <BJ>