Weymouth Seaside Express - 15th & 29th August

It was getting a bit dark by the time 5029 arrived at Pixash Lane near Keynsham!!

 

Yes, an excellent, value-for-money day out with two savage climbs to make the locomotive work. The climbs were outstanding, although I was a bit worried when my GPS read 9.9MPH half-way up Evershot! The climb of Upwey was fantastic, although I would now like to experience it behind a Bulleid... A shame about the operational delays, but luckily the quick waterstop at Frome meant we got into Yeovil Pen-Mill at the time we were booked to leave on the outward journey, effectively cutting-out the scheduled 30min pathing stop for the single line section to the passing loop at Maiden Newton. Another lucky coincidence was that despite the late running on the return, we still managed to get in front of the Portsmouth-Cardiff train I wanted to catch at Westbury, so I did not have to wait for the 21:48 train from BTM to Cardiff. However, this plan was marred by a late-running HST from Paddington, so still had to wait half an hour for the 22:30 Cardiff-Fishguard Harbour service to get to Swansea to drive home. Suffice to say, it was 1AM before I managed to get home, tired but happy at having had an excellent day out on the South Coast! Well done to all involved!

 

See latest post on Bulleid Pacifics: Past and Present thread.

 

My video is now up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPUdDvZPEP4

 

5029 arriving at Bristol



6024 shunting the Torbay stock with 5029 in the background

 

A selection of my photo's can be found at http://paul-simpson.fotopic.net/c1885179.html

 

I think a double chimney County was the noisiest locomotive I ever heard as a spotter in the 60's. The bark was awesome and, in my view, noisier than a single chimmey Castle or Manor by some distance. I recall 1005 County of Devon on the down Manchester to Plymouth (1V93) at Taunton in 1962 standing in for a diesel which had failed at Bristol and the crack from the chimney on restarting the 11 coach train was something I will never forget. Just a shame they didn't preserve one. Still, I do have 1004 and 1000 on my model railway and with a CD playing at full volume, I can almost relive those wonderful moments so many years ago!!

 

Great bit of video there Nick, thanks for sharing.

Chris

 

Cheers Chris, I enjoyed the day. Except that I thought after Berkley Marsh I might get across for the King but the Castle being late put paid to that.I then thought I had a bonus at Pixash Lane but it crawled through!!

What do you all think of the going away shot?Did it work OK? I couldnt film into the sun so tried that.

 

Nick, I thought the going away shot did work, will try it myself sometime.

Here's my efforts. Videos taken at Chetnole on the outward run, light engine at Dorchester West and climbing Bincombe Bank out of Weymouth on the return.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXRNO7DFMwU

 

Thanks for that Keith,as I said i knew I couldnt film into sun and didnt want to try and find another place as I might have missed it altogether.
We were not far apart on the day, I had the luxury of being able to go home as I live in Yetminster a couple of miles up from Chetnole.
Great shots as usual Keith.

 

Nick & Keith, some very nice video and locations in those videos thanks for sharing them.
I did something a little different for this tour, I don't think it went down to well

 

Bill I thought it was great!! As you say its very different and no problem with that.Only watched it this morning,so just commenting.

Keep up the good work!!

 

Bill, I'm not sure why you think it didn't go down well, it was entirely appropriate.

Whilst looking at maps to decide where I would video, I saw that the route took the train near to Nunney and wondered if the line was was close to it to provided a photo/video opportunity. As I was filming the Torbay Express as well on the same day I didn't have time to investigate. By what you say though Nunney is 3 miles from the line.

 

I'm surprised how intact the real Nunney Castle is. A mate of mine on the tour brought an old OS map, which stated 'ruin', which immediately conjures up images of collapsed walls and pigeons nesting in every orifice. I think I'll bear it in mind and pay a visit myself one day... Thanks for the video!

 

Is the 29th tour still following the intended plan?

 

Slightly different times to the 1st run.

 

http://www.uksteam.info/tours/t10/t0829b.htm
David, Thanks again for your invaluable service.

 

Completely different timings on the return if my sources are correct.

Weymouth dep 18:10
Maiden Newton 18:39-18:46
Yeovil PM 19:08-19:16
Castle Cary 19:34-19:37
Frome 19:55-20:25
Westbury 20:38-20:42
T'bridge 20:48-20:52
Bath 21:19-21:21
BTM arr 21:33

Gen from Liam H, NR and support crews. <BJ>

 

These timings are on the RTC website as well.