THE WEST SOMERSET EXPLORER Sat 18 June (t0618b)

Is that the back of the mainline train we can see in the platform ATM? Ought to be leaving any minute...

On its way, 1538, i.e. 8 late. Impressive.

 

Away from Minehead 15:37. A very quick turn around of the loco by a combination of support crew members and WSR staff. <BJ>

 

Left Minehead at 3.36pm - 6 mins late.

Steve

 

With the Hymek on the front, apparently.

 

Fairly lucky today with two shots of 70013 in sunshine!!!

First - 70013 passing Sonning Cutting
Second - 70013 storming past the Kennet and Avon canal at Crofton.

At Crofton, you could hear her well after she had passed!!!

 

Just got a text saying it left Woodborough at 19.35, now running half hour early?

 

Still in Theale loop.

 

Just left Theale loop.

 

Yes, it was bit of a funny one tonight. As I said earlier, I had text saying it left Woodborough half hour early. Time I got to Theale at 20.35 it was already there. I thought it might of left Theale early but it stayed until the scheduled departure time. All time it was there only one HST passed & then they let a Turbo out in front of it so there was plenty of time for it to leave, I think the water bowser was long gone before it left. Anyway it was a nice sight watching it pull away by the farm crossing.

 

About on time at Twyford going well.
Tornado came through about 5mins after going towards Reading with support coach & another coach !

 

Crofton on the outward.


Leaving Woodborough loop half an hour early in the evening. Made with about a minute to spare after a rubbish shot at Bruton.

 

Well, I doubt it was as rubbish as my video........

[video=youtube;dIOz7h91A7g]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIOz7h91A7g[/video]

 

Bad luck, Steve!

This guy managed some good action shots of the train on the Minehead Branch, some with, some without D7017

[video=youtube;DeDvK0xYTco]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeDvK0xYTco[/video]

Steve

 

By HST standards, that was poor acceleration. They are usually much quicker than that. 70013 wasn't that much slower.

 

That was tough Steve.But i didn't hear any xxxxxxxs on the soundtrack so well done for keeping your cool. You might have seen above, I stayed with Milleys Lane, Waltham and had the bonus of Tornado appearing London bound a few minutes before Olly but then had an HST through Reading bound about 60secs after Olly disappeared. Phewww. Ok this time, but the risk is always there !! Better luck next time.

 

At Grafton Curve, Crofton on the outward leg:

 

Here's my bit of video from Crofton of both tours.

[video=youtube;yxZ-ohw3cJE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxZ-ohw3cJE[/video]