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Torbay Expresses 2017

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by 1020 Shireman, Dec 23, 2016.

  1. Platform 3

    Platform 3 Member

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    Nice trip down. Performance on hills wasn't quite at top level, unsurprisingly given the conditions, but on the levels good speed was maintained and it is much more enjoyable to be in the train looking out than vice versa today!

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  2. GC Met

    GC Met New Member

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    S3090002.jpg What could have the meeting of the two steam tours at Tiverton Loop .
     
  3. gricerdon

    gricerdon Guest

    Wayne judged it perfectly on Whiteball bearing in mind the dreadful weather plus 12 on for 465 tons. Once in Whiteball tunnel Clan Line accelerated to the summit with more steam. Read all about it in the next Heritage Railway. Some lovely fast running down ti Exeter and along through Dawlish

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  4. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Given the conditions, the run down was masterful. A very clever climb of Whiteball. Effortless with just enough to avoid a slip and over the last mile as CL went intò the tunnel, with more steam applied in the drier conditions, we accelerated to the summit when other locos might have faltered.

    The PDSR crew had her chattering away up over Hookhills with no trouble in appalling conditions. RT at Kingswear.

    I just feel sorry for the support crew servicing her back at Paignton in the rain.
     
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  5. Platform 3

    Platform 3 Member

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    Yes should make clear I was impressed with the work too - the control was indeed excellent given a load of 12. No wish to impune it was sub-par - just exceedingly wet! Even for Devon!

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  6. Hemerdon

    Hemerdon Member Friend

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    Here’s my video of the run on the 3rd September 2017, taken at Dawlish on the down run. Good job the tide was out, apalling weather so just filmed one clip today.
     
  7. pwsw5054

    pwsw5054 Member

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    Cracking run up Whiteball, measured 18min 22 sec Exeter to MP 174 with 62mph at summit.

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  8. GC Met

    GC Met New Member

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    My efforts from today , first running towards Whiteball , then Tiverton Loop and two shots of the return at Burlescombe , all shot in lovely rain .
     
  9. gricerdon

    gricerdon Guest

    Yes that climb will live long in the memory. The whole return run was a masterful performance in conditions which though not as bad as the morning were still poor. Another superb day out with the current king of the main line. Also many thanks from a certain young man from Ireland whom I hadn't met for many years who diligently called out the mileposts in the gloom if the return journey.
     
  10. 1020 Shireman

    1020 Shireman Part of the furniture Friend

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    Agreed that it was a superb day out with 35028. Good competition with Tornado for the accolade of King of the Mainline but only in the south. To be King of the Mainline the Merchant needs to get out on the wider network. Who wouldn't love a Border Raider itinerary with 35028? or the fun that is the Welsh Marches, Bristol to Shrewsbury/Chester? Hope we get to see this in the coming years.
     
  11. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    In the same way that Clan Line surprised us all on the outward run as she accelerated through the tunnel on Whiteball, she did the same on the return. As the gradient eased slightly from 1 in 80 to 1 in 127 in the tunnel, our speed picked up on the slightly better rail conditions so that the train had added 5 mph by MP 174 from the tunnel entry speed. On the return, we were still bowling along in the low seventies as we flashed through Parkway but then on the final 2+ miles of 1 in 115, Steve Matthews asked her for more and the drop off was only to 62. Quite a tour de force in what were definitely tricky railhead conditions where, for obvious reasons, caution was the order of the day.

    Very many thanks to the DBC team and the soggy MNLPS support crew who had probably the worst of days weather wise and also the inconvenience of their support coach at the wrong end of the train for half the day plus having to remotely service the loco at Paignton away from their supplies. But that said, in case anyone hasn't yet noticed, Clan Line is back with a vengeance and once again setting the platinum standard for main line steam operations.
     
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  12. hatherton hall

    hatherton hall Well-Known Member

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    Gentlemen. This is somewhat tongue in cheek, but perhaps we should refrain from the use of the word "King" of the mainline when discussing the performances of Clan Line and Tornado. There is only one "King" of the mainline and she is due back soon in the form of 6024 King Edward 1. What is more, she has travelled the length and breadth of the UK in the past. As for the other member of the class, I think most are not expecting to see 6023 King Edward 11 anytime soon, if at all. Such a shame, but that's another story.
     
  13. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Yes, and tongue also in cheek, but 'King' in name only for 6024/3, some might say. The theoretical 'step up' from a double chimney Castle to a King is worthy of debate especially when you have 5043 running around. But that's for another thread.
     
  14. gricerdon

    gricerdon Guest

    Much as I am an admirer of things GWR the Kings I have to say are simply not in the same league as Clan Line and Tornado, Which of those two should have the accolade is debatable but the Kings come a poor second. I will now retire to my garden shed and await the attack.
     
  15. MellishR

    MellishR Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    Pedant mode on: the length and breadth of Britain, perhaps, but regauging would be needed for the other part of the UK.
     
  16. dublo6231

    dublo6231 Member

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    You guys do make me chuckle!

    I was under the impression that "mostly" we refer to steam locomotives as being feminine...so maybe more the undisputed "Queen" of the mainline?

    Though I'm sure that the King of the Castle would have something so say about that as may the Princess, Duke or Duchess...though I'm struggling to find a way of incorporating a Flying Duck into that sentence!

    In my eyes all are very capable locos all of whom have put up magnificent performances through the years.

    As to which one is best...
     
    Last edited: Sep 4, 2017
  17. Wayne

    Wayne New Member

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    The rail head conditions were poor at best, it wasn't a day for breaking records for sure. I don't think I opened her up past 200psi all morning even though we were not short of steam at all. Just to give an example of how well the loco is performing at the moment the South bound climb of Whiteball was made with just 160psi in the steam chest, even though the boiler pressure was up around 240/245psi. Cut off was 35% until the speed started to drop off after Wellington (around 50mph). Then, keeping steam chest pressure at 160psi, cut off to 40 and then 45% on the approach to the tunnel. Speed was down to around 33mph at the tunnel where I opened her up on the dryer rails in the tunnel (around 190psi), where she then accelerated up over the top.
    Basically we only had her at just over half power and she romped up there, effortlessly.
     
  18. wcmlbls1846

    wcmlbls1846 Well-Known Member

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    When did a GW King run in Scotland? AN
     
  19. 1020 Shireman

    1020 Shireman Part of the furniture Friend

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    6024 on it's day will give them both a run for their money but the engine that will be there vying for the accolades of 'the best' is undoubtedly 71000. Pity we'll probably have to wait until 2019 to find out. This year has shown how much we've missed 35028 being out and about on trains we can actually afford to travel on. The last time we'd been out behind 35028 prior to the Torbays was Past Time Rail's the Southern Sunset to Salisbury on 22nd March 2008. Looking forward to the ACE next.
     
  20. Steamage

    Steamage Part of the furniture

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    Fascinating. Thanks @Wayne
     

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