St. David's Day Cathedrals Express - 2013

UK Steam has this excursion ending at Cardiff, whereas SD's own website states it terminates at Swansea. I also received a brochure from them yesterday, and the letter enclosed also stated Swansea as the destination.

Do we know which is correct, or has the decision to go through to Swansea been a late one, not yet reflected in UK Steam's listing ?

 

It has always been intended to go to Swansea see http://railways.national-preservation.com/whats-going/37429-steam-dreams-2013-a.html.

 

A refusal on Sapperton... Were they worried Tornado wouldn't make it

 

Where did you here that ?, would of thought it would make more sense to go via the big hole in the ground near Patchway if you want reasonable timings.

 

But this year on March 1st it did go via Sapperton, and now I'm saying its not.

 

This year the trip behind 6024 went via Sapperton on the return ( as well as Filton on the way out), but the trip was Paddington - Cardiff - Euston. Next years trip is from London Victoria to Swansea. I doubt there is sufficient time to go via Sapperton.

 

Spot on, got to remember there'll be passengers on board hoping for some reasonable time at the other end, hence the arguably less interesting route via the "big hole" !

Wasn't that also one of the reasons the GWR built it in the first place ?

 

Yep, can prob add at least an hour each way if going via Sapperton, Gloucester and the Lydney, good chance the Rail Bridge would of been retained too in some form, had an out of control barge not had other idea's.

 

Indeed, great shame about that bridge. I don't like the tunnel, and its prone to disruption due to flooding to this day of course. We're apparently obsessed with getting to places more quickly, but what do we do with the time saved ? There's a lot to be said for a more leisurely journey sometimes !

 

Speaking as a Gloucestershire resident, I wish that the return was via Sapperton as on 1st March this year, but speaking as a married man who has taken my (non-enthusiast) wife on a few main line steam excursions, I Can see why not. I think that sometimes today's itineraries can be a bit too leisurely. 2 1/2 hours each way would be about optimal in my opinion. That is more than sufficient for the loco to show its paces, and is ample time for a meal in Premier Dining. I must admit when the "Tornado" thread suddenly shot to the top of the "Steam traction" forum, I was hoping it was going to be in connection with 90mph running (It turned out to be about the repaint into blue.) I'd love to see 90mph authorised, not so much because it would give me a real buzz but because it could cut down the length of time taken to get from A to B. A greater use of water carriers would also be a help.(Surely lighter, even when full, than a dead Class 47 on the back?) Much as I enjoy main line steam, I find some of today's itineraries a bit too extended, and I would be interested to hear what others who bring their spouses think.