Torbay Express 2016

While the first Torbay provided some drama this run is what main line steam is about. Royal Scot looked superb and from the videos and photos provided a wonderful trip. Sorry I had to miss it but a big thank you to all that made it happen and had the confidence of a better performance. Here's to more of them.

 

Very high marks for DBC for using the 66 to shadow. The alternative would have been to have put it on the front in accordance with the new NR rules, though nobody seems to have told WCR that

 

They must know but choose to take no notice.

 

I wonder whether there is any significance in the following difference between the two runs. On the earlier troubled run:

Whereas on the second much improved run:

Just a thought...

 

Coal can make a lot of difference so you never know, is this Welsh coal from a different area to the stuff used back in the day that was so highly regarded (on the GWR at least).

 

There is more than one seam currently being worked at the Ffos-y-Fran opencast site near Merthyr Tydfil, but I gather that only one is high quality steam coal suitable for use in locos, as several organisations have discovered.

 

Booked on next Sun 24/07/2016. Hoping we get some rain in the SW after the mini heatwave!

 

Rain is forecast for the end of the week. It will need to be of an ample amount and for it to cover the entire Somerset and Devon area. <BJ>

 

They are threatening thunderstorms but who knows if they will turn up!

 

Just a heads up for anyone travelling or planning to photograph or video this weekend.

https://news.iconsofsteam.com/helicopter-for-the-riviera-3c63ce0d884e#.w9lq5qan2

 

Nice of them to let people know rather than just being buzzed at random I suppose.

 

No suppose about it, they didn't have to say anything and it's good to see one loco owner/operator who doesn't despise linesiders

 

Brilliant I get a helicopter to photograph as well

 

Ground to air missile needed for Sunday then.

 

Content aware, edit fill in Photoshop is a lot less dramatic!

 

Sadly PS won't eliminate the chopper from a sound track.

 

Like I've got lots of sound footage of a Royal Scot on the sea wall - not.

 

Two and a half hours of steady rain this afternoon in the Bath/Bristol area. Let's hope that other parts along the route of the TE have similar amounts and it's enough to persuade the authorities to allow the Torbay Express to run without assistance on Sunday.

This will be the final TE for Royal Scot as it is due to haul a series of railtours in Scotland in early August. <BJ>