Cathedrals Express to Cardiff 1st March

Less than a fortnight to go, and no news of Tangmere. Timing are available on UK Steam info:- http://www.uksteam.info/tours/t14/t0301c.htm which says Tangmere to be the motive power "or loco to be advised." It also says "Diesel on the rear." Hard to think why - nothing too ferocious gradient-wise, no fallen leaves no fire risk. One can only presume that it's a precautionary measure due to it being Tangmere's first run since the problems last November. I hope it's not going to be the norm for Steam Dreams to run with a diesel on the back, or I won't be travellng with them again.

 

It could be for heating purposes. Not sure Steam Dreams would want to trust to steam heat again after the debacle they had back in 2011 with 6024 I think it was ?

I wouldn't hold your breath on that tour. If you remember last year, it just dropped off their schedule without explanation. That's something SD are guilty of all too often I've noticed. Guess they're working on the "why would you want to report bad news" principle !

 

This trip goes up Filton Bank and the load may be too much for a Black 5.Tangmere was unable to restart after it stopped on the bank a few years ago.

 

Maybe another reason for a box on the back, or was it always a promise on this trip ?

 

I think that's pretty much the norm with most railtour promoters. Thr only people they need to tell about a cancellation are those passengers who are already booked, and I'm sure they all do that..

 

Going to need a box pushing up Porton Bank on the return if they want to keep time. 20 minutes start to stop from Salisbury to Andover is going some, especially with a 75 mph limit. Did it in 19 mins 10 secs in June 1967 with 34108 on ten cars. An exceptional run. On a diesel schedule we left Salisbury 17 late and were under 3 late at Waterloo. And the 85 limit was kept to near enough. 88 max around Fleet. Started that day on the 02.30 Waterloo to Portsmouth via Eastleigh with 34037, after getting the weekend going behind 34093 on the FO 17.23 to Brockenhurst and back up on the last up Weymouth with 73093.

But a normal load for an SD trip, plus the weight of the box on the back and a 75 mph limit means assistance will be needed. And maybe between Basing and Andover, and up Grateley on the way down as the schedules are quite reasonable over those sections.

Sad to see it's lost the main line route out of Waterloo. I wonder how many more of this years trips to/via Salisbury will end up having to depart from Victoria for the "scenic" route to Woking.....................

 

Yes Al, that will be interesting on the schedule between Basingstoke and Salisbury. Will certainly need to get up to 60 quickly and hold it.

For clarification I've made it clear that the 20 minutes schedule is for Salisbury to Andover on the return.

 

Quite a show through Chiswick station at o7:41 - the first of my pics:

Chiswick St David's Day Steam 1

 

An on time arrival at Winchfield for a top up of water. An earlier report suggests a class 33 at the rear.

Update: 33.207 hanging on for dear life. <BJ>

 

The 33 was a dead weight here

 

Real Time is here:-

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54784/2014/03/01/advanced

Lost time on the running sections Basingstoke-Andover and then onto Salisbury. Maybe the 5 was not being given a push over those sections?

 

Five more of mine of the approach to Chiswick station, pass and onwards to Kew Bridge, Brentford and…Wales. Right arrow from the first pic below to see the other four:

Steamy Chiswick

 

Presumably timed at 75 mph

Don

 

Approaching Bath, at Freshford. Fortunately the train was 5 minutes down, as the sun came out just as it approached!

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Nice shot, SNG

 

Doubt you can be pushed over 60mph limit for a 5?

 

Seen approaching Ashford Middx with some evidence of lineside cutting back having taken place.http://stephenleek.smugmug.com/Railwayphotos-1/Mainline-Steam-2014/i-jV3S4Xd