RTC 2021

Especially the one where the writer claims the train was pushed by a Deltic.
Positive reviews far outweigh the negative ones though.

 

It's also the Men's Final at Wimbledon.

On the royal Duchy the Taunton to Plymouth and return is intended to be 60163+POB+9. No diesel.

 

Very worrying recent claims of disregarding Covid distancing rules and own publicity. And no response from the operator.

 

Scottish level 1 rules do permit people from 3 different households to meet up indoors, so technically WCR are complying with the guidelines. I think the issue is just that they don't make it clear on their website exactly what the seating arrangements will be.
It's the same with Northern Belle. I know a couple who went on it recently and shared a table with another couple they'd never met before.

 

Thanks for the clarification.
I certainly wouldn't be happy with it.

 

35018 passing through Leighton Buzzard on its way south about half an hour ago

 

Surely that's well out of order north or south of the border?? There's not even a metre between passengers either side of a table; and when you get up to go to the loo or whatever, it's no distance at all. Very poor action by WRC.

 

The paint on BILs smokebox door looks like it has got a tad warm recently

 

Try the London Underground, some services are packed.

 

Shows how inadequate many of our regular trains are rather than excusing these conditions in the charter leisure market - much as we like the special trains.

 

No but have travelled on TfW and the Great Western Railway and no-one is onboard to encourage social distancing so it's not happening. Reservations on the Great Western ignore it too and it was a right scrum in Cardiff. We drove to Crewe for the CME again and will avoid Service Trains for a while yet.

 

Times are up for the Royal Duchy on Sunday 11th July with 60163 Tornado.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U91473/2021-07-11/detailed

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U91480/2021-07-11/detailed

 

Unusual for the locomotive to be attached on the relief at the Exeter end of Fairwater Yard. Normally the change is made in the station. Bit ironic the train having to run out of Slough when Bristol to the South West trains are running direct. Looks like the train could have started from Bristol TM as usual. The closures of Temple Meads were always a bit vague on dates. No good for planning trains some 12 weeks in advance.

 

There have been a small number of setbacks regarding the refurbishment work at Temple Meads. When constructing the huge scaffolding for the trainshed canopy it was discovered that the weight posed a problem as beneath both platforms it is cavernous. <BJ>

 

Great to see the timings released - even better seeing the light engine paths for the diesel as indicated in 1020 Shireman's earlier post.
Weather looks good for the coming period with a chance of some rain (hopefully!) to dampen conditions slightly and the weather for Sunday 11th looks encouragingly pleasant (that's me just put the mockers on that then!!!).
With 9 + POB - Tornado (or rather more the Fireman) will be working hard - and I can't wait for next weekend.

Not sure I've looked forward to a tour quite as much as this one in a long long time...

 

I think the WCR website is pretty good, both in the Covid section and the FAQs. Like many things on Trip Advisor, you wonder whether people actually read stuff which then turns out to be relevant to their enjoyment of the day. Of course whether the crowd management at FW is always as good as it should be, and whether the train cleaning is spot on every day are things you need to be there to know (both being points of criticism in the 2 and 1 star reviews).

An interesting question will be how people feel about booking if we revert to no social distancing and no face masks from July 19.