Britannia to Shrewsbury 23 November

To much diesel haulage on this one. I can't even remember the last time steam was assisted over the Welsh Marches. Steam Dreams, more like Diesel Dreams !!

 

The need to have a diesel pilot on the return is disappointing, but understandable following the loss of Tornado. We've still got 255 miles of unassisted steam from Waterloo to Shrewsbury, 120 miles less than planned admittedly, but still in the same order of magnitude as the other three steam tours tomorrow (VT - 248, RTC = 268 with 60009, 285 with 34067). Also, don't forget that for a long time the SD trip was shown on uksteam as only having steam from Bristol to Shresbury and back (240 miles).

 

Have you read the thread? Firstly there is no "diesel assistance" anywhere. In fact the charter notice apparently says the trailing diesel is to be unmanned from Waterloo to Salisbury so that just adds 90-95 tons for Britannia to haul so makes the loco work harder. It will then be detached Salisbury to allow 70000 to be unassisted over the Welsh Marches to Shrewsbury where the official steam section ends. Then 70000 is hauled back in the consist as far as Bristol to save a path.

Total steam mileage = 255 miles by my calculation. Almost the distance from London to Newcastle and with no time at all allowed to service 70000 at Shrewsbury, that ruled out the steam return to Bristol unless passengers would be happy to get back to Waterloo at around 1 am - not to mention any engineering work, closed stations or lack of connections home.

I would say it seems SD have done very well to keep as much steam mileage as possible. I admit if you were travelling Bath-Shrewsbury-Bath it would be somewhat disappointing, but for those going London-Shrewsbury and back the steam mileage has actually increased from what was originally advertised.

 

28th September 2013. 5043 on the Welsh Marches excursion to Hereford.

Unless of course, Tyseley have perfected the invisibility cloak...

 

Yes i was at Craven Arms, but it wasn't piloted/assisted !

 

On what grounds? If you were Steam Dreams, how would you have resolved the situation, given as others have pointed out in some detail that there is insufficient time at Shrewsbury to service 70000. We still have 7.5 hours of unassisted steam haulage which by my standards for this year is quite an achievement. I think SD deserve credit for delivering what should still be a good day.

 

For a number of reasons 2013 has been,at times, a poor year for mainline steam so let's all hope it goes out on a high!

 

'Britannia' through Grateley a few minutes late at 09:00. <BJ>

 

Lets just enjoy the spectacle of mainline steam on a cold and clear frosty morning here in Bristol i am sure the punters on board will be quite happy with what is being provided.lets not forget we are still in the leaf fall season and there have been plenty of delays this week caused by poor railhead conditions.

 

There may be problems ahead!
6F65 Portbury - Fiddlers Ferry has sat down on Llavihangel bank, delays of up to 60 minutes may be expected.
No guessing what class the culprit is .... yep it's fuggly 70003.

 

What … another Britannia ?

As they say - 2's company 3's a crowd !

 

Did John Bunyan have trouble with slippery rails or has the thing caught fire in traditional fashion ?.

 

'Britannia' looked stunning this morning as it passed through Bath running approx 6 minutes late.
The mist had just about cleared and so we enjoyed a combination of beautiful late autumnal light and colours.
Thanks for the whistles from the crew (Wayne?). Steam at it's best. <BJ>

 

I am south of abergavenny. Sprinter being held at home signal. 1238

 

Britannia at Newton St loe

 

There are rumours (and I stress rumours) that Cardiff may be the destination.

 

Superb shot.

 

Do you know where you're going now Al?