VT Oxford 175 Trips: 15/06/19

Unless I've missed something along the way I thought that the reason for a diesel tagging along at the rear of any of Vintage Train railtours was because they're a new operating company. <BJ>

 

Think that is one reason, another is I understand its required for shunting at Oxford - stated by Ben before on another thread: https://www.national-preservation.c...-with-clun-castle.1318555/page-8#post-2390468

 

@Ben has said on the 7029 to Llandudno thread that the Oxford 175 Luncheon circular on 15th June will not have the diesel in the consist, so on the strength of that assurance I have made a booking.
Nick.

 

The website states that the train from Birmingham will have diesel assistance which presumably is for the shunt moves at Oxford prior to the Circular. Anyone know what route the Circular will take?

 

I think the only way of achieving this from Oxford ( as a non diesel assistance trip) is to take the GWML to Hanwell and go down the Greenford Branch. I could be totally wrong of course.

"On our journey through the Chiltern hills, Clun Castle will be heard working hard up the famous Saunderton Bank incline between High Wycombe and Princes Risborough, then she will stretch her legs along the Chiltern mainline to Bicester before returning home to Oxford Parkway & Oxford"

 

From the didcotoxfordgwr175.org website:

Oxford 175 Luncheon Circular
The Oxford 175 Luncheon Circular will depart Oxford Parkway thence Oxford, passing through Radley, Culham and Appleford towards Didcot. Leaving Didcot, a sprint along Brunel’s Billiard Table that is the Great Western Mainline, passing through Reading, Slough and Southall. Shortly after Southall, turning onto the Greenford curve that links the Chiltern and Great Western Mainlines. In days past, this was the route taken by the Paddington to Wolverhampton expresses, routinely hauled by Kings and - Clun Castle. Joining the Chiltern Mainline, the tour continues through the picturesque Chilterns, past High Wycombe and Princess Risborough towards Bicester. The Bicester chord and Gavray Junction take the tour through Bicester Village station and Islip, completing the circular railtour back at Oxford Parkway and Oxford.

Nick

 

Same here, and also since the Chester trip 8/6 advertised on emails sent out is not on the website.

 

I've booked on the Luncheon Circular as well. I've never been on the section of track that links the Great Western and Chiltern mainlines so I can finally tick that one off. I imagine that the people who run the didcotoxfordgwr175.org website aren't aware that Flying Scotsman will also be on the line that day, heading back down to Paddington from Worcester via the Cotswold Line, so there will actually be two steam locos working the route on the anniversary.
They don't mention that anywhere that I can see.

 

Maybe they have chosen not to ?

 

It is referenced here: http://didcotoxfordgwr175.org/line.html
Strictly Scotsman won't be traversing the Oxford line and just passing through Didcot. Given recent events may be best to assume the times will be later...I really hope not but we will see.

 

Got nearly 10 years to travel with and hopefully most will be as should be with no Class 47 in sight. Otherwise we wasted our £2k on shares in the CBS. Such is life...

 

O

On the website today:

Oxford 175 Express with No: 7029 'Clun Castle' - Saturday 15th June




The Didcot to Oxford branch line of the Great Western Railway opened in June 1844. On Saturday 15th June 2019 we’ll be celebrating its 175th anniversary.

As a very special contribution to the 175th anniversary celebrations, Vintage Trains are running a railtour from Birmingham stations to Oxford and seperatly offering the Oxford 175 Luncheon Circular railtour from Oxford Parkway & Oxford (click for more details)

This will be a very fitting visit of our flagship locomotive, no. 7029 'Clun Castle'.

The Oxford 175 Express will depart Solihull for Oxford via Banbury, picking up along the way at Dorridge, Warwick Parkway and Banbury stations.

We are offering Standard Class with the option to purchase in advance Bacon Rolls for the morning journet to Oxford and an Afternoon Tea hamper on the return.

For more details on the Didcot to Oxford Railway 175th Anniversary celebrations, please visit:


175 Celebrations Website



Hauled by steam loco no. 7029 'Clun Castle' with diesel assistance.

Not sure what a journet is but, sort of implies not diesel free doesn't it?

 

It's the circular Oxford 175 Luncheon Circular which is diesel free states "Steam hauled throughout by No. 7029 'Clun Castle'"

 

Apologies. Picked up the 175 Anniversary Train not the luncheon train.

 

But that is the Oxford 175 Express, not the 175 Luncheon Circular which is being advertised as a separate tour and has no mention of diesel assistance (and confirmed by @Ben Vintage-Trains).

Nick.

Edit: I see you have now realised this is the case!

 

Maybe it's time to start a new thread for the Oxford trips on 15th June?

 

I've done three of the four curves on the Greenford loop but not Hanwell Jn to Drayton Green Jn. That is a common route for turning moves from Southall but AFAIK very rare for passenger trains.

 

Hello Sidmouth,

If I’m reading the material correctly, I think that the return will be Diesel drag back only as far as Oxford Parkway and then Clun will be at the head of the train for the return to Birmingham.
Or at least that’s my interpretation anyway!
I’m sure VT could confirm that though.