The Coronation Express (VT) - April 2nd - Tyseley > Didcot for 6023 Launch

All, upon receiving the timing options from Network Rail, we have had to change the station stops on this excursion.

We have had to loose the pickups/set-downs at Cheltenham and Kidderminster.
We have added Smethwick.
Birmingham Moor St. has been changed to Snow Hill.

We have contacted the majority of the passengers affected - a few messages left!

We will be arriving into Didcot shortly after noon, plenty of time for the official launch of 6023 at 1:00pm.

We apologise for any inconvenience this has caused. We look forward to seeing you on this or any (all!) of our future excursions.

Ben Mason
Vintage Trains

 

Is anyone able to confirm whether 6023 will be operating passenger trains on the demonstration line whilst the tour is there please?

 

I'd be surprised if Didcot didn't make sure those on the tour got a ride given that vintage trains have supported the event - it makes no sense to leave VT with disappointed punters. The logistics are going to be interesting though - with the two Halls to turn and service, if they do the King launch on the turntable as is often the case, its going to be a busy time! With a launch at 1pm it would only take a few minutes to move it up to the demo line which will probably be on lunch break anyway (so if they bring the loco off at the crew break it will be all ready for the King to go straight on).

 

Don't know about her running on the demo line, just seeing her breathing smoke and steam will do me!!

 

I assume people on here have heard that Kinlet Hall has been replaced by 5043. Unfortunate shame. Still, worth a ride in style to see 6023!

 

I can confirm that 4936 “Kinlet Hall” has been replaced by Ex-GWR Castle 5043 "Earl of Mount Edgcumbe" for this excursion.

Hopefully this will be a repeat of last years Feb 20th 2010 performance when 4965 and 5043 blasted up Sapperton Bank on the way to Didcot for the GWR175.

This will be the first of three occurances this year (so far) that will see these two paired together on a double header.

We are scheduled to arrive in Didcot shortly after 12 noon with lots of time before the official launch of 6023 at 1:00pm.

4936 “Kinlet Hall” is scheduled for an excursion from Tyseley to York later in the year. There will be an official announcment soon.

 

Does anyone know the reason for the non appearance of Kinlet Hall. Is it's overhaul not yet complete? This train has now become an exact repeat of last years "Great Western Incursion" which if a little disappointing to me is no more than that. It should still be well worth the trip to see the blue king and once again to experience GWR steam travel in true GW territiory. However there is only Vintage Trains who can reproduce the spectacle of double headed halls and may be this can be considered for later in the year. Salop - Bristol / Cardiff would be very nice if there are no guaging and pathing issues on the North & West route.

 

The overhaul of Kinlet Hall is not yet complete - there were some additional items that needed to be addressed. The boiler has passed all it's exams and is now back in the frames.

I will let the Kinlet Hall group fill in the details.

We hope to see Kinlet on a Vintage Trains tour to York in mid-July. I will announce the tour as soon as it is confirmed.

 

Shame to hear about the non appearance of Kinlet Hall, still No:5043 'Earl of Mount Edgecombe is a good replacement.

 

Indeed 5043 will be a good replacement as mentioned. It is a shame personnally for me that Kinlet Hall is not available as I haven't been behind her on the mainline since 2000! when she was paired with 6024 to Plymouth, back when the network was suffering from the 20mph restrictions following Hatfield!...time flies! Anyway having been behind the current pairing last year on the Incursion I'm looking forward to window hanging and basking in the sun whilst we storm up Sapperton again!

Also looking at 6023's website they've update it to reflect the offical launch as well.

 

I know it's just outside the ten day period on issuing out the tickets, but having seen the times on uksteam already, any news on issuing of the tickets....also just out of interest, do we know how well the train has sold, I remember last year it being load 10

Many thanks in advance.

 

Tickets are going out in the next day or so - we are waiting for the printer to complete a special flyer. We have had the times for a while on this one.

It has sold very well. At the moment we are taking 10, but if we can sell another dozen or so Standard seats we can add another TSO to make 11.

Should be a good noise going up Sapperton Bank!

 

If last year was anything to go by I can't wait. Wish I videoed the climb up but I was too busy trying to get the cinders out of my goggles.....the draw on the coupling when they dug into the climb just showed how much power they both have when in unison.

Roll on next weekend and thank you Ben for the update.

Regards

 

The timings have now been posted. http://uksteam.info/tours/t11/t0402b.htm

So Ben will it be 10 or 11 coaches? I might pop over to see this if I have time.....

 

It all depends on the passenger loading.

When these two get together, it is never a disappointment!

And we have another couple of double-headders on the books before the Shakespeare Season!

 

Ben, what is the latest I can get a ticket for the tour? My engagements for Saturday could be moved! I would be looking for standard class.

If no availability, could anyone advise me how to get to Sapperton to view the climb. It is not as exciting as being on the train, but could prove an enticing alternative!

Nick

 

Tickets came through on Saturday just gone, seem to remember coach G from memory....anway, looks like this rain front spreading accross the UK will clear by Friday and that Saturday "should" be rather unusually warm and hopefully sunny!

Roll on my 4am start to get to Birmingham!

 

I am on this tour! Alongside glynsgirl. looking forwards to this hugely!

 

Hi Nick. Although I don't recommend it, you can buy tickets on the day if we have space.

Best thing to do is call the office before noon on Friday at the latest.....

Hope to see you on Saturday!

Ben

 

We appreciate the dedication and will do all we can to put on a good show.

I'm currently at my Sisters house in Glos looking over the valley at Sapperton Bank and the house in Frampton Mansell where I grew up. Part of me wishes I was going to be standing here on Saturday morning to watch....I will have to make do with riding in the Pullman kitchen! Oh well!