6024 - THE St DAVIDS DAY CATHEDRALS EXPRESS & HELP FOR HEROES SPECIAL 01/03/11

Still Foggy here in Newport with no sign of the sun breaking through yet, although it should create a nice shot of the King rising up out of Severn Tunnel.

Helix

 

10.30 Padd to Bristol TM is being diverted and will not call at Chippenham, or Bath Spa due to signalling problems. It has been stated that the 11.00 Padd to Bristol TM will run booked route.

 

From the Network rail site:-

A signalling problem is causing disruption between Chippenham and Swindon.

Because of this, there are delays of up to 45 minutes between Bath Spa / Westbury and Swindon. These delays will continue until further notice.

 

6024 arr Challow loop 5 late at 11:22. <BJ>

 

Late advice, 10.30 Padd to Bristol now going booked route - having just offloaded everyone at Swindon. 7 late off Swindon.
Oh Mr Porter....

 

Through Taplow in the fog:

http://simonwhittinghamphotography.zenfolio.com/p614172890/h4b0992e#h4b0992e

 

What a gloomy day....

The King arrives at Twyford 1 March 2012 - YouTube

 

Not again! 2 King runs, 2 Notwork Rail signal failures on more or less the same line. Bring back BR! Who advocated privatisation?

 

As some one who grew up watching former GW locos in service, the huff-puff, huff-puff of the air pump is absolutely terrible. So unnatural, sounds like something out of an American 30's cowboy film.

 

On time at Swindon - 12:02, and working well.

 

Held outside of wootton Bassett junction! Stonking run so far!

 

The HST in front of the Special has cleared the affected area, and is running half an hour late

 

Held up outside of Chippenham, I hate speaking too soon about green lights!

 

Having just left Twyford, 6024 heads through the gloom at Sonning:

 

Awful again. Think you and I could do better with flags, Buseng !! And, yes, the Pump did take me a bit by surprise...noisy, but the steam valve opened shortly after arriving and....could hear the pump no more !!

 

Good photo, David especially in the light ( or lack of it ). Just tried to upload vid of her leaving Twyford, but in middle of 28min session with YouTube, computer crashed !! Out of interest, how do you get the 'thumbnail' on to here ??

 

Saw the train at Hanwell early, more or less right time. 6024 was coasting up to the station but opened up through the platforms and shut off again on Wharncliffe Viaduct. Nice! Will post a picture when I'm on my laptop later.

 

Have they taken water at Bristol yet? Anyone know?

Alan. ;-)

 

Through Bath 13:13 going a good un.

 

Cheers, thanks!

Alan.