RTC's Dartmouth Express 9/06/18

Seem to have been changes to the advertised train. Pick up and loco change P12 at Bristol Temple Meads on the outward; Steam off at Taunton on the return. Returns via Temple Meads.

outward: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54903/2018/06/09/advanced

diesel to Taunton: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54902/2018/06/09/advanced

return: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54904/2018/06/09/advanced

The 5 isn't coming down from Southall until the early morning:
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54906/2018/06/09/advanced

 

The 5 must be staying over to do the Steam Dreams on Sunday 10th. the TBE 'Westbury' path from Taunton has been activated for the 10th.

 

I might do a part of this but hope the DL isn't stuck on the back at Taunton.

 

Anyone on board? Showing still in P12 at BTM. Cancel that. Just left at 1036, 13 down. Sent out behind BPW-WSM stopper!!

 

Just left Taunton almost 50 down, behind MAN-PGN XC.

 

Probably be looped at Tiverton for the late running York Penzance XC HST as well.
I assume no diesel assistance?

 

Just checked on youtube. Train is 45212+10+47746 tailgunning.

 

Let out of Exeter before the local and HST to Paignton.

 

Diesel assisting heavily going through Exeter St Thomas understandable in the circumstances.

 

A poor mans Torbay Express !

 

The rich man's. Std fare was £135!!!

 

But not anywhere else before Exeter as far as we could tell and the fireman didn't think so either. 42.6 min on Whiteball with incredible noise. Not looped at Tiverton but checked in from Cowley Bridge. I will work out the EDBH to see if it's possible with a 5 on that load but a lineside video would be good to settle for certain as we were virtually holding speed to the tunnel.

 

Christ ! I hope they detach the box for the run up Churston.

 

Not quite sure what the diesel is doing there today anyway. I guessed that the train would be top'n tailed diesels as far as Bristol as there were reversals at Guildford and Westbury. They must have removed the front diesel at Bristol (ran light to Taunton) and left the other on the back.

For tomorrows run according to RTT the diesel which brings the stock into Paddington returns light engine to Southall so presumably the train runs to Taunton with a single diesel on the front which comes off there. So the steam section tomorrow MAY be diesel free. Why the inconsistency? Is the load bigger today?

 

I was told on the train that tomorrows run will have a DL on the back as well. For Churston bank apparently. Today was worth it for that fantastic climb to Whiteball. Spike Hodges and Mathew Earnshaw. We paid on the train Bristol to Exeter

 

So it’s steam off at Taunton, then steam light engine to Bristol?

 

Fair enough but are they bringing one with them or using the local Class 25 as has been done before?

 

No - the Black 5 is going to the West Somerset Railway for an overnight stay before doing the Cathedrals Express from Taunton tomorrow

 

So the lesson is to avoid a diesel on the back on a tour to Kingswear then book a TBE.

As Mayflower is a class 5 then surely the tour was always going to be overloaded.

 

Quicker than Clan Line with 12 last Sunday. Really?