VT - The Red Dragon - TYS>Cardiff

http://www.tyseleylocoworks.co.uk/tours/tr_2015_0307.htm

Only a few weeks to go on this one. A bit of an early start (07:00 from Tyseley Warwick Road) but 4 1/2 hours in Cardiff and back at 20:17.

It's a lovely trip down through Gloucester and onwards along the estuary to Chepstow and Severn Tunnel Junction. We are stopping at Gloucester to take water in both directions, so we can do part fares to/from Gloucester if anyone is interested - (Standard only - Dining and Club are pretty much sold out apart from one Table for 2 in Premier Dining)

Cheers!

 

I Nearly chose to go on this run but decided last minute to go with the double headed jubilee trip, but im now regretting that decision as it's now NOT gonna be double jubilee's. What I would love to see a repeat of is the popular double headed hallage trip to South Wales. Never mind im still booked on the now sold out coastal explorer with 5043 and I still have yet to arrange my charter list for late 2015 and im keeping a watch on what's planned on these mystery loco trial runs.

 

My wife & I are booked on this from Gloucester to Cardiff and I'm really looking forward to it. Looks like we'd better set the alarm clock! We currently live within about 5 miles of the Gloucester- STJ line as the crow flies and I can hear the class 66s on freight from my back garden when they sound their horns for the crossings near Grange Court. However, although I've taken a few pictures of these workings, on what is s a very pretty stretch of line, I've yet to travel on it. I've been determined to do so before we move out of the area (which we are scheduled to do 3 1/2 weeks later) as it will mean I can tick off all the standard gauge lines in Gloucestershire apart from the freight-only branches, and what better way to do it than by steam! I have also yet to set eyes on 4965. I visited Barry in 1971 when there were over still 200 locos in the scrapyard, but 4965 (or 4983 as we thought it was then) had already left. All in all, quite a few "firsts" to look forward to on 7th March.

 

4983/4965 was at Barry when I visited in 1970:

 

According to http://www.greatwestern.org.uk/barryno1.htm it left in October 1970, so you saw it just before it left for its new home. My visit was in March or April 1971 on a "mystery trip" from Redhill. I couldn't believe it when we were told that the destinations were Cardiff or Barry! I was only 13 at the time and it was an incredible if rather sad experience to see those 200 engines.

 

My visit was on 28th March 1970. For a few more photos at Barry on that date see my post in the photography thread:

http://www.national-preservation.co...thers-scrapyard-barry-28th-march-1970.421597/

 

How many seats are left in standard on this tour.

 

On the route between Tyseley and Gloucester, are there to be any other stops like Shrub Hill or New Street?

 

From the VT website, as linked in Ben's post:

"Pick up/Set down : Tyseley Warwick Road platform*, Birmingham Snow Hill and Worcester Shrub Hill."

 

Thanks very much. I was a bit confused because in the 'Itinery' section it says 'down Old Hill Bank, through Kidderminster and Worcester Shrub Hill'.

 

Times : http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/sea...000-2359?stp=WVS&show=non-passenger&order=wtt

Bit of a long stop at, Gloucester, on the way home. Hopefully the passengers, are allowed off the train.

 

They had better be! I've only booked for the Gloucester- Cardiff section

 

No! We are going to keep them on the train with the doors locked and no food or water......oh sorry - I thought we were an airline!

Getting off, streching legs and a quick trip to one of several pubs within crawling distance is highly recommended.

 

What's with the long stop at Gloucester on the return.

 

A thirsty loco/pathing? <BJ>

 

Thought 4965 would have been using the Water Carrier for this run.

 

Depends on trailing weight and route, remember 4965 is a class 5 so the carrier takes a bigger chunk out of it's load than 5043, looking at the outward timings I notice 30 mins stops at Worcester & Gloucester, certainly long enough to take water if needbe.

 

Not the most polite worded question! If you read the letter I sent with the tickets, I explain it is primarily a pathing stop while we await our 60mph path from Barnwood Jctn to Abbotswood Jctn.

 

Well, it looked fine at Gatcombe, if anyone cares

With a disappointing number of people who walked across the line nowhere near a crossing to get to a good spot inaccessible at high tide.

 

Did it look well patronised from what you could see, or was it moving too quickly to get much of a sense of the number on board ?