Christmas Cheshireman, 28th November

My footage of her in action, I've been extremely lucky as my shots hasn't featured a heavy downpour not even a drizzle. My locations were Huckford Viaduct at Winterbourne, Highnam near Gloucester, Llantilio Pertholey and Stokesay.

 

Don't suppose you mean me? Judging by the time of your post? Possibly could be other side of the train, see video above, taken at Ponthir.

 

Yes it was the other side of the train I saw someone Well done!

 

Well, I've just arrived back at the Premier Inn, we alighted at Gloucester. As you are all aware probably this is my first ever experience of main line steam. My girlfriend and I elected to go the whole hog and have the dining experience, and due to my work commitments this was the only tour we could manage before christmas, and it happens to coincide with her birthday so we decided to give it a shot, diesel or no diesel.

From an enthusiasts point of view - in my mind now nothing can compare with the experience of being hauled along at speed by a steam locomotive. I'm not naive, I know that the 47 was there to help and given the fact 45407 was slipping a bit leaving stations, it was definitely needed given the class 5 motive power. But the 47 was only used when absolutely needed, and it was a pleasure to hear the loco working hard! I've often said how lucky the generation are who remember regular main line steam and got to experience it, and today was just a small taster of how brilliant it must have been. Given the fact I was was sat in 40 year old coaches, hauled by a 75 year old locomotive, the fact that we fitted in around the service trains and that the charter was allowed to run at all is a testament to all those parties involved in restoration of our cherished locomotives and stock, and the tour operators who make it possible. My appetite is well and truly wetted for a steam only tour, and I guarantee I will enjoy that just as much as I have today. To people who complain about diesel assistance and bad planning, changes of destination I say this - its not 1958 any more, we are lucky to have what we have, and compared to a 30 mph trundle down a persevered railway, any time a locomotive is used at speed diesel or not is a privilege we should all respect less it be taken from us completely. I had a great time, and when I eventually have children I know how to foster their interest in preservation - which I hope is the point!!

From a day out point of view - Apart from the rain, we had a fantastic time! The breakfast was excellent, and the RTC stewards were attentive and couldn't do enough to help! Shrewsbury was a bit wet but some shopping was done and I even found a model shop! - Christmas dinner on the way back was also excellent, and all in all a lovely day out enjoyed by myself and the missus!

I can't wait for the next one - and it will be a Class 7, with nothing on the rear. And if I can stretch to it, dining as well.

 

Hi BillyR, thank you for such a positive and balanced piece. It would be great if all of those who use this site could appreciate your phrase "it's not 1958 anymore" and understand just how lucky we are to have any steam at all in 2015.

Really glad you had what sounds like a great "family" day (hope your girlfriend is OK with that) and you got the thrill of mainline steam - look forward to reading about your adventures next year with different engines. If it's in your blood, then there is nothing like it!

Mike

 

And to anyone who thinks Steam was just for show today, I present you this:



...it was just as good on the train...

 

Thanks for the words Billy R.......is was good 'at the front' as well!........and nice to hear kind words rather than what we are so used to on here?..

 

Steam for show ey? So between them the two firemen almost completely emptied what was a full tender this morning, probably half a ton left at best.

 

Yep, thats very true Dexter, and about 18,000 gallons of water!

 

I can only reiterate what Billy wrote earlier. I am looking forward to viewing those clips. Thanks are due to Ian Riley and others who made it a great day out.

 

What a great report from Billy R. It seems they got the steam/diesel balance right yesterday as the Class 47 was only pushing on a few occasions going by what I have seen.
Watched some great videos of this trip which were in my YT inbox this morning. 45407 always puts on a fine show and is a credit to her owner and those who look after her. Is she staying down here to work the rest of the RTC trips originally rostered for 34067? If so I could be tempted in to a run behind 45407............

 

Yea, I don't withdraw my comments, far from it. Of course the 5 had to be worked hard due to the 500 ton plus weight of the train and the '47 couldn't push the train on it's own from the back. But have you all watched and more, listened to the videos? they are really good but you can hear the diesel every time, even around the coast. The shoveage from Cwmbran and up Llanvihangel was a joke, as it was the departure from Craven Arms. I'm an unashamed steam or nothing supporter and always will be. If yesterday is the way you all want to steam on the mainline, sobeit. Enjoy the illusion.

 

Oh dear. No point stirring things up is there?! read the reasoned explanation above - nobody is going to turn this into a slanging match just so you can argue that you are right

 

Hopefully next year this popular route will have class 7 or class 8 power to choose from. The Abergavenny pick up point needs to be dropped as it just guarantees the need for a diesel. Roll on 2016

 

Well looking and listening to those videos, if it comes to the crunch and it's that or nothing, then I'll have a large helping of that please. Anything else would be cutting off your nose to spite your face.

 

Reported in LE etc thread 5407 returns north tomorrow.

 

Which route? Not via the Marches I take it.

 

I agree with you - I'm sure Ian Riley could have provided 2 x Black 5 if asked thus eliminating need for diesel assistance.

 

Bristol yesterday morning