'Torbay Express' 2014

Previous return TEs have watered at Exeter with a later arrival at Bristol. The new path running non-stop Paignton-Taunton gives a much faster overall path and an earlier arrival at Bristol.

 

Thanks for clarifying, and yes, much better for all concerned I imagine.

 

and hopefully w/ Nunney at the head that should be something!

 

Yes indeed, what a different machine Nunney is from what some of us will have experienced in the early 90s !

 

If all goes to plan 'Nunney Castle' will be hauling 10 or 11 chocolate and cream coaches through Great Western territory .....nice !! <BJ>

 

Those who have read my article in Heritage Railway 190 will know why.

In a word 'Meanley'

Don

 

Had a tweet from @torbayexpress earlier confirming the plan to leave Kingswear later than usual so as to arrive at Paignton after the FBU strike is over so tour should be running.

 

Thanks. Yes, I thought he might have had rather a lot to do with it, : )

 

Not if the weather forecast is to be believed!! Thunder storms in the South and East moving North but nothing in the South West. I hope I am wrong.

 

Revised timings for the return Torbay Express on Sunday, 20th July, 2014.
This is due to the FBU strike which takes place from 17:00 and 19:00. <BJ>
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/P91153/2014/07/20/advanced

Kingswear (For Dartmouth) 1851
Paignton Xover G.F. P&Dsr 1908 1913
Paignton 1916 1919
Newton Abbot West Junction pass 1932
Newton Abbot pass 1933
Teignmouth pass 1940
Dawlish pass 1943
Dawlish Warren pass 1944 1
Exeter St Davids pass 1956 ½
Cowley Bridge Jn pass 1958
Tiverton Loop pass 2011
Tiverton Parkway pass 2013
Whiteball pass 2017
Norton Fitzwarren pass 2026
Taunton 2029 2049
Cogload Jn pass 2056
Bridgwater pass 2102
Uphill Junction pass 2115
Weston-super-Mare 2118 2128
Worle Jn pass 2133
Parson Street pass 2148 ML
Bristol West Jn. pass 2150 UM 1
Bristol Temple Meads 2153

 

Thankfully the weather forecasters got it right this time. Thunder, lightning and heavy rain from 1 am this morning in the Bath /Bristol area and still continuing at present. My old friend Noah is disappointed that he won't be able to travel tomorrow as he says he has other plans ..... something to do with building a large boat or something. His loss I suppose. <BJ>

 

Obviously every effort has been made to ensure steam haulage on tomorrow's train. I wonder, though, if the fire risk is still considered to be high enough (despite recent downpours) for a diesel to be required somewhere in the formation?

 

We've had heavy thunderstorms over night in the Exmouth area and more are forcast so I suspect at least the Devon area will be ok?!

 

Continual heavy rain now for 13 hours at Bristol. Zero chance of lineside fires. It's also
the weekend of the Bristol Harbourside Festival so no surprise that it's raining. <BJ>

 

Guaranteed NR steam ban then.

 

Don't even think about it. <BJ>

 

A classic Great Western scene today as 'Nunney Castle' hauled 10 chocolate and cream coaches between Bristol
and Kingswear .....and not a diesel to be seen. Well done TBEL and NR.
The train ran in glorious light as it headed west. The reporting number today was R71. Any ideas anyone? <BJ>

 

Who was driving is it his Birthday say 'Ray 71' just a wild guess !

 

DBS crewed. So it won't be the driver that's 71..

 

Ron, who assists with cleaning the LSL locos and is on the train today, has a birthday tomorrow. Happy Birthday.