No 4464 "BITTERN" to Kingswear. 25th Sept. 2014

Timings for the steam section of Steam Dreams charter to Kingswear on 25th September. <BJ>

1Z32 No.4464 'Bittern' from Westbury to Kingswear

Westbury dep 1125
Fairwood Jn pass 1129
Clink Road Jn pass 1134
Blatchbridge Jn pass 1137
East Somerset Jn pass 1141
Castle Cary pass 1149
Somerton Ground Frame pass 1200
Athelney Crossing pass 1210 1
Cogload Jn pass 1214
Taunton 1220 - 1233 RL
Norton Fitzwarren pass 1237
Whiteball pass 1252
Tiverton Parkway pass 1257
Tiverton Loop pass 1259 1
Cowley Bridge Jn pass 1315
Exeter St Davids 1318 - 1320
Dawlish Warren pass 1332
Dawlish pass 1334
Teignmouth pass 1338
Newton Abbot pass 1344
Newton Abbot West Junction pass 1346
Paignton 1420 - 1428
Paignton Xover G.F. P&Dsr pass 1432
Kingswear (For Dartmouth) 1455
1Z33 1630 Kingswear (For Dartmouth) to Oxford

Kingswear (For Dartmouth) 1630
Paignton Xover G.F. P&Dsr 1658 1700
Paignton 1703 - 1707
Newton Abbot West Junction pass 1721
Newton Abbot pass 1723
Teignmouth pass 1729
Dawlish pass 1733
Dawlish Warren 1737 - 1754
Exeter St Davids 1811 - 1812
Cowley Bridge Jn pass 1815
Tiverton Loop pass 1829
Tiverton Parkway pass 1831
Whiteball pass 1836
Norton Fitzwarren pass 1844
Taunton 1848 - 1900
Taunton East Jcn pass 1903
Cogload Jn pass 1909
Athelney Crossing pass 1912
Somerton Ground Frame pass 1921
Castle Cary pass 1932
East Somerset Jn pass 1942
Blatchbridge Jn pass 1946
Clink Road Jn pass 1949 1
Fairwood Jn pass 1954
Heywood Road Jn pass 1956
Lavington pass 2003
Woodborough UGL 2014 2026
Bedwyn pass 2041
Newbury 2055 - 2102
Aldermaston 2112 - 2115
Southcote Jn pass 2128
Oxford Road Jn pass 2128
Reading West Jn pass 2130 ML
Goring & Streatley 2142 - 2145
Didcot East Jn pass 2156 RL
Didcot Parkway pass 2157
Didcot North Jn pass 2159
Kennington Jn pass 2208
Oxford 2213

 

No Bittern won't have time to make it to Kingswear . most likely come off either in the Goodrington sidings or Churston, turn come back to Paignton for servicing then pick up train most likely in the siding just outside Paignton station, the Class 25 diesel took the train forward from 5029 last week.

 

Would it cost much more over the diesel to ask Paignton to use a second steam loco on their leg ?, presuming they are down to one train operation in midweek now.

 

Well on UKSteam times it says diesel between Paignton and Kingswear both ways, I guess it comes down to what resources they have available, one crew member for the diesel, two for steam, also there is the preparation and lighting up for an extra steam loco, rather than just jumping in the diesel and starting it up.

 

'Bittern' has departed from Bristol this morning en route to Westbury and Kingswear.
Bristol has just one steam loco in residence now after 70013, 5029 and 4464 have departed.
'Tangmere' will haul the Royal Duchy on Sunday and will then move away soon after. <BJ>

 

Just posted by The Cathedrals Express Twitter account: "With regret, we must announce that today's train from Oxford to Kingswear has unfortunately been cancelled due to a fault with the train."

 

from Cathedrals Express tweet. Might need cross checking to see if this is the case.

Cathedrals Express ‏@On_Train 7m
With regret, we must announce that today's train from Oxford to Kingswear has unfortunately been cancelled due to a fault with the train.

 

Looks true unfortunately.
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U53275/2014/09/25//advanced
"Problem with traction equipment (MC)". Whatever that means .

Edit, forgot 60019 wasn't due to take on until Westbury.

 

From SD website: "We have just been informed that this trip has now been cancelled because of what is currently believed to be a brake failure on the diesel locomotive."

 

Another black mark against WCRC unfortunately, assume it was their box.
Will be a lot of disappointed people out there who would of already set out to join this.
Presume WCRC will have to pick up the tab.

 

We keep hearing about having a box on the back to cover for steam failures, is it about time we started putting Kettles on the back of trains to rescue the diesels?

 

The only thing that could of been done is run a spare loco from Southall, assuming they had more available.
With all this inter-toc war I suppose any locos stood at Didcot could not be used because they are not WCRC, assuming the stock had air braking.

 

Bit tongue in cheek! But at least they could of t&t'd it with two boxes to cover such issues. Why should't boxes not have "insurance" like steam locos often have to.
Presume it will be re-scheduled for a later date.

 

Bugrit I shave just videod Bittern at Westbury now camped a mile or two down the line and just found this out

90 mile drive home now

 

Claim off WCRC! Was thinking of going to see this myself tonight in the Reading area. Plans now scuppered.

 

I wonder how the finances stack up with this kind of thing. If WCRC have to compensate SD,which presumably they do,there are large amounts of money involved. Not just full refunds for all the passengers, but massive amounts of food to be destroyed and wages for the catering crew,it will all run in to many thousands. Would the owners of 4464 still get their fee?