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Torbay Expresses 2017

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

  1. Bean-counter

    Bean-counter Part of the furniture

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    Totally off topic, but why? 6023 was towed on NwR at the weekend and appears to be just about ready.

    Steven
     
  2. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Part of the furniture

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    The King I suspect was in the same situation as the diesels that get towed to galas that are not mainline approved. The axles and wheels have been ultrasonically checked and meet whatever standard is required but the loco itself is not yet passed for running on its own.
    Only a guess but I asked someone from NR once how all the diesels were acceptable to be dragged and that was what I was told. Others may know better.
     
  3. Steamage

    Steamage Part of the furniture

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    See the 6023 thread for the latest news...
     
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  4. steamvideosnet

    steamvideosnet Well-Known Member

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    My video of the past two Torbay Expresses with 35028, captured at several places on each run (locations in the description), including the shot I mentioned in my last post in the thread about her exhaust at Burlescombe.

    James
     
  5. IamDaniel

    IamDaniel Member

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    I'm a little late to the party, but I was onboard on the northbound run on Sunday and was suitably impressed with her performance despite the 'orrible conditions. Have to say the sound of her climb up Whiteball was something else - with a bit of luck it'll be clear on the 23 September ACE run.

    A shame the track circuit failure cost us a few minutes at Taunton and then we were stuck behind GWR services (nothing new there!) meaning we arrived into BTM slightly down, but who cares?

    Also, have to say that the staff onboard went above and beyond; the steward remembered me and asked if I made it home OK on the 2 July trip. Word must've gotten around as train manager Hannah came down and had a brief chat.

    Looking forward to the 'ACE' charter later this month - although with it being a '67 themed train shouldn't it only be filled with people who were there? ;)
     
  6. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    And with a 67 on the front......
    I'll get my coat..
     
  7. Where's Mazeppa?

    Where's Mazeppa? Member

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    Not quite sure why it should be a "67-themed" train since the ACE died in September 1964, I believe. Some way ahead of the stuff that now celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the end of Southern Steam in 1967.

    But the bigger question is this. There is quite a well known "Catch 22" sort of quote from that era that goes along the lines of "If you can remember the 60's, you weren't really there" (variously attributed to Grace Slick, Robin Williams, Pete Townshend and Timothy Leary amongst others). Well, on this basis, I sort of "Do", but then again I sort of "Don't".

    But it isn't the qualification to participate that counts, its the Looking Forward, and in that respect I agree with you 110%.;):)
     
  8. Sean Emmett

    Sean Emmett Member

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    Is Tornado fit and ready for tomorrow?
     
  9. Groks212

    Groks212 Member

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    This taken from A1 Trust Facebook page.

    Great news. No. 60163 Tornado has just passed her FTR exam, ready for tomorrow's trip to South Devon with the last 'Torbay Express' of the season!

    Dave B
     
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  10. Sean Emmett

    Sean Emmett Member

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    BRI - BTH 17m 38s max 67. A steady start with load 12.
     
  11. cg

    cg Well-Known Member

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    On time in Bath.
     
  12. hatherton hall

    hatherton hall Well-Known Member

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    Oh, I see. Will be great to have 2 Kings mainline certificated and mainline operational at the same time. When did that last happen. 1962 maybe? Or did 6000 and 6024 run at the same time back in the 80's? Someone on here will know the answer.
     
  13. Sean Emmett

    Sean Emmett Member

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    WSB - TAU 48m 33s. Min 54 at Brewham after 62 at Blatchbridge Jn. Very smooth run.
     
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  14. Sean Emmett

    Sean Emmett Member

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    Held for late HST
     
  15. Where's Mazeppa?

    Where's Mazeppa? Member

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    As far as I can establish, there was no overlap in the preservation-era main line careers of 6000/ 6024. The gap between the final run of 6000 - around May 1986, and the first public run of 6024 - 15th April 1990 (after test runs from Tyseley) was almost four years. Apparently the two did appear together shortly after, at a celebration of 6024's 60th anniversary at NRM's Exhibition on Tour held at Swindon in July 1990 (info c/o "A Monarch at Work" compiled by Tim Watson, Ian Allan Ltd published 2006).

    So 1962 really was the last time for a main line King duo. Its now almost exactly 55 years since the the Kings were ousted from the Paddington-Birmingham-Wolverhampton services at the start of the winter timetable in September 1962 to be replaced by the Western-class diesel hydraulics then entering squadron service on this route. Its been too long, but hopefully the waiting is almost over!!
     
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  16. Where's Mazeppa?

    Where's Mazeppa? Member

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    Interesting to note a remarkable consistency in running times and speeds compared with previous TBEX logs contributed - 35028 on 20th August 49m.11s. overall WSB-TAU with 54 min. Brewham after 60 at Blatchbridge Jn. And with Tornado 11th September last year 47m 51s WSB-TAU with 50 min Brewham after 59 Blatchbridge Jn.

    Just beginning to sense a desire to distinguish between the capabilities of MN vs A1 and maybe discern any hint of relative superiority one way or the other. But on this evidence, it looks like you could barely get a cigarette paper between them. Perhaps, as 1020 Shireman has observed, Clan Line needs to get more exposure on the wider network before anyone is entitled to draw conclusions about this. Meanwhile, with TBEX and then the "Border Raider", this week belongs to Tornado, where next week will see Merchant 28 enjoying prominence on the ACE. Interesting times indeed!!
     
  17. gricerdon

    gricerdon Guest

    As it was last week
     
  18. gricerdon

    gricerdon Guest

    Yes agreed , more exposure. Very little between them and when I asked Wayne he just said that Clan Line was cleaner! They both accelerate very fast in the 65-75 mph speed range and both have to be held back to avoid overspeed. Maybe Tornado is the quicker away thought this ought not to be the case as it has bigger driving wheels. The real test is on the climbs though. Rail conditions are much better this week so today wont be a fair comparison with last week when conditions were awful but Clan Line just sailed up to Whiteball. See Wayne's previous post
     
  19. cg

    cg Well-Known Member

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  20. Sean Emmett

    Sean Emmett Member

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    "Rail conditions are much better this week". Well as far as Paignton maybe.

    TAU-PGN 75m 07s. Dep 5.5L following HST. Better start from TAU than 35028 on 20/08 but only 52 max after Wellington and 35 into Whiteball Tunnel, but 38 coming out 41 over the top, so slower overall.

    Weave at EXD due to engineering works and checked at N Abbot by HST - unclear why we weren't sent thro empty P1 as booked. So 6.5 late PGN.

    Mizzle set in and struggled up to Churston, many slips and down to 3-4 mph at times, pass 18m 54s and KWR stop 32m 36s. 12.5L.

    Enjoying Devon's liquid sunshine. And a pint of Otter.
     
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