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The Mancunian with Bahamas - 21/10/23

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by Big Al, Oct 16, 2023.

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  1. Johnb

    Johnb Nat Pres stalwart

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    I don’t think I’ve ever processed a shot and posted it before the train has reached its destination. I’ve done shots at this location before but normally looked at them later in the day
     
    Johnb, Oct 21, 2023
    #41
  2. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    I think the person in the cab of the diesel would know what he was talking about. That's where the info came from

    Generally though this has been mostly Bahamas on its own today. Well worth the trip even if the leg from Crewe up Whitmore was indecently quick.
     
    Big Al, Oct 21, 2023
    #42
  3. Johnb

    Johnb Nat Pres stalwart

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    As you know I’ve been on quite a few Bahamas trips, either on sales or support crew and none have disappointed. The highlight must for me was being on the footplate up to Sapperton Summit on a wet rail in 2021, there was no help from the diesel on the back as we didn’t have one!
    Perhaps it’s time to have a thought for the support crew, they would have come down from the north on Thursday to light up, clean and prepare the engine yesterday, up at around 03.30 today do the trip and not get back to Southall until gone 11 tonight, dispose the engine tomorrow morning and then back home. I can assure you that sleeping in the support coach in at Southall is not for the faint hearted either.
     
    Johnb, Oct 21, 2023
    #43
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  4. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Don't disagree with any of that. Wasn't aware that I was saying anything critical about the support crew. Didn't even mention them so I don't know what you are on about.

    My point was entirely about the (sensible) way that I thought both WC crews managed a tricky day and on the outward leg how they made the right call given that Bahamas had to go from Southall to Euston to Rugby before its first drink.

    Back into Euston just a tad late and that was after a diversion out of Manchester because of a line closure.

    A good day. Some good spells of running with no assistance and, as usual, the loco performed flawlessly.
     
    Big Al, Oct 21, 2023
    #44
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  5. neildimmer

    neildimmer Resident of Nat Pres

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    After seeing Royal Scot at Crewe on Saturday I headed back home via Manchester Piccadilly to see
    45596 Bahamas with 'The Mancunian' arriving at Manchester Piccadilly
    https://tinyurl.com/4yrxkb8z

    Neil
     
    neildimmer, Oct 22, 2023
    #45
  6. Johnb

    Johnb Nat Pres stalwart

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    You didn’t say anything critical, It was just a general comment about the behind the scenes effort that goes into making mainline steam possible. The tour operators also put in a lot of work as do Network Rail and others.
     
    Johnb, Oct 22, 2023
    #46
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  7. Spike

    Spike New Member

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    Bahamas rounds Queensville curve just south of Stafford and seen in the UDGL taking on water . IMG_5474.jpg IMG_5478.jpg
     
    Spike, Oct 22, 2023
    #47
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  8. 46223

    46223 Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    When I took the last shot of 45596 from the canal towpath there was a chap stood with me operating a drone.
    I've just found his footage of the tour on YouTube. If you pause it at 7:23 you might be able to see us on the towpath!
    The light coloured blob is my dog!

     
    46223, Oct 22, 2023
    #48
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  9. dublo6231

    dublo6231 Member

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    As much as I'd of preferred it to be "steam only" I absolutely understand the risk of running it as such as well as stock movement.
    Indeed having had ten minutes of rain/drizzle when the stock arrived into Euston and without the assistance from the diesel this may of caused some "fun" getting up Camden bank with a relatively cold engine...
    I can honestly say it was a great tour to be on and we both had a throughly enjoyable day with some superb "unassisted" running.
    Special shout to all those at the high end numbers of Coach G, to all the members of the Bahamas support crew (especially the gentleman who I had the pleasure of chatting to at Euston and Rugby - hope your journey home was a lot smoother than your journey to London on Thursday!) to RTC for organizing and finally to WCRC for supplying all the staff involved with the running (for my own notes can somebody please name those involved if allowed) I have some name of those involved, but I wouldn't want to specifically name check those and miss someone out (Thank you in advance).

    Cheers everyone, Phil
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 23, 2023
    dublo6231, Oct 23, 2023
    #49
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  10. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Just so there is no doubt...I also thought that Saturday was the best you could hope for in this world of dual traction. Everyone on the train was open about where help was provided - i.e. Camden and Tring before the first water stop and Whitmore out of Crewe on the return. Even I can also live with the nudge on the curve at Stone and out of Man Vic. But that was the luck of the draw and down to the crews who were open about what would happen and why. The fact that Bahamas was also able to handle the whole 490 tons on its own made quite a difference. Lovely sprint north between Nuneaton and Stafford as well.

    And as said, the train regulation by NR was pretty sensible especially the Styal diversion rather then sending us back via Stone. And despite taking for ever to sort out our water and loco switch stop on the way home we were only a little adrift into Euston. Well done to all and thanks.
     
    Big Al, Oct 23, 2023
    #50
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  11. gricerdon

    gricerdon Well-Known Member

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    Can anybody advise the number of the 47 please?
     
    gricerdon, Nov 28, 2023
    #51
  12. 46223

    46223 Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    47804.
     
    46223, Nov 28, 2023
    #52
  13. gricerdon

    gricerdon Well-Known Member

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    Thanks
     
    gricerdon, Nov 29, 2023
    #53
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