4464 - Western Streak - 18-10-14

Went

 

Bittern has just gone through Tilehurst 8.26

 

Went past my back garden in Droitwich about 12 minutes ago

 

Good news at last. <BJ>

 

1Z44 that is!

 

Frustrating for me (who was waiting for it from before 7) but good news for the punters on the trip so all's well.

Very strange that it didn't appear on RTT.

 

RTT is not infallible.

 

Good news, thanks. So that bit's more-or-less on the expected schedule. I wonder which section, if any, has been re-timed.

It's wet and very windy in Oxfordshire this morning, so I'll need to find a hedge to shelter under, but at least it looks like it's worth making the attempt.

 

I'll be miles away on the Steam Rail Motor to Brentford, and then the FGW colnbrook branch awayday (well 15 minutes). If I knew that foot crossing at the lickey well enough I would be tempted to try it in the dark, but never having been there I would loose the camera gear in ditch!

 

Very little interest shown on the various websites regarding the
progress of the train but found this from much earlier. <BJ>

''A4 just arrived into didcot centre at 8.55am''

 

The train is now running as 1Z54 ??? Reported off Didcot Parkway 1 min early at 10:57. <BJ>

 

I was expressing my disappointment as photographer that the tour is in the dark, regardless of whether the tour is for me or for passengers.

 

4464 past Challow at 1114 about the expected time

 

Srivenham 11:19 and going well

 

On time with ease drifting down Dauntsey

 

A couple of video stills from Shrivenham, going well past us. First time seeing her on the mainline since her last 90mph run in December, looking forward to getting her at Narroways Junction and on the Lickey later

 

Maybe it will be dark but just enjoy the spectacle and listen to her climbing the Lickey. It will probably be a good visual display too with the fire illuminating the exhaust.

 

The "Western Streak" seen at Shrivenham this morning, with a haze of exhaust on a mild morning

 

....and that's just the diesel. <BJ>