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Cathedrals Express with 4492: Surrey Hills-Guildford-Chippenham-Bristol 26th May

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by Steve from GWR, May 2, 2011.

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  1. free2grice

    free2grice Part of the furniture Friend

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    Steventon is just over 3 miles to the west of Didcot. The train would have passed Didcot at approx 19:31, just about half an hour late. <BJ>
     
    free2grice, May 27, 2011
    #41
  2. Brunel

    Brunel Member

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    Frustrating day yesterday - plenty of sun about, but not when 4492 passed my locations. Here are my 'shots' from yesterday at Guildford and Bath on the way out, and at Twerton and Wokingham on the return leg.


    EJD 4492 Wokingham 20110526LowRes1.JPG
    EJD 4492 Guildford 20110526LowRes1.JPG
    EJD 4492 Twerton 20110526LowRes1.JPG
    EJD 4492 Bath 20110526LowRes1.JPG
     
    Brunel, May 27, 2011
    #42
  3. 6026 King John

    6026 King John Well-Known Member

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    I was on the train - it lost time mainly between Bath and Wootton Bassett. Then having been delayed, the water stop at Wantage Road was extended a bit due to the need to wait for another clear path. It was about 30 minutes down at Reading. Arrival at Victoria was only 20 minutes late despite some trickly moments where the loco slipped several times on Gomshall bank but eventually managed to crawl up to the top. Overall a pretty good run so well done to everyone.
     
    6026 King John, May 27, 2011
    #43
  4. cg

    cg Well-Known Member

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    cg, May 27, 2011
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  5. Dan Hill

    Dan Hill Part of the furniture

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    Yesterday was a waste of a College day where we couldn't do anything because of a competition. Had I known this before hand I would have gone a bit further up to Redhill to see her. Guess I'll have to wait until July to see her. Is she always going to run with the second tender now though. Hope not but looks like she might with some of her tours coming up.

    Great pictures Brunel. The one of her passing the cathedral is beautiful.
     
    Dan Hill, May 27, 2011
    #45
  6. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Yes, with that water tender this was a heavy train and A4s tend not to do steepish hill climbing all that well so Gomshall would have been a challenge, handled well it appears.
     
    Big Al, May 27, 2011
    #46
  7. cg

    cg Well-Known Member

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    cg, May 27, 2011
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  8. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

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    Rubbish! You obviously haven't heard what the GW footplate inspector said as 60033 arrived at Paddington during the 1948 exchanges. "Gentlemen, we have nothing to touch this engine." His comment was referring to the A4's imperious climb of Hemerdon earlier that day. In fact Sir Nigel Gresley designed them with hill climbing in mind as he realised that the secret of fast schedules was not dashing downhill but climbing gradients at speed. There are many, many instances of A4 climbing ability both pre and post preservation. Far too many to list here. Like all locos though they can suffer from bad rail conditions.
     
    Spamcan81, May 27, 2011
    #48
  9. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Maybe so, but I've been up a few hills in my time with steam and it's only an A4 that's managed to sit down on a bank with me and then was unable to restart. Sadly it was 4498 on Gresford with 11 on in the late 1970's. As I said, A4s need careful handling uphill as they are not (IMHO) as sure footed as some other locos.
     
    Big Al, May 27, 2011
    #49
  10. Oakfield

    Oakfield Guest

    I see, you base your opinion on one trip in the late 70's then.

    Nothing like having reasoned evidence behind an opinion then!
     
    Oakfield, May 28, 2011
    #50
  11. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    At least it's evidence and it does illustrate my point about the skill needed on the footplate especially with 6ft 8in wheels. I know that's a truism for driving all locos - more to the good that we've crews who make it their business to know their engines well.
     
    Big Al, May 29, 2011
    #51
  12. green five

    green five Resident of Nat Pres

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    From my experience of railtours A4's are pretty good hill climbers. 60007 and 60019 have proved to be very good although my experiences with 60009 have shown her to be a "little light on her feet". It all depends on the track conditions on the day. As we waited at North Camp I did say to my Father "the crew are going to have a challenge on Gomshall bank with that load in these conditions" as the rain passed in light showers. A few years ago 34067 made a lot of fuss climbing Gomshall bank from Redhill and struggled along causing severe delays.
     
    green five, May 29, 2011
    #52
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