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Pannier Rambler to the SVR - 11/11/17

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by Will RL, Oct 20, 2017.

  1. AlexGWR1994

    AlexGWR1994 Member

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    My footage of the Tyseley Panniers in full cry. Filmed at Wilmcote, Blunts Green, Stourbridge Junction and Eardington Bank with an added bonus of a storming run of 7714.
     
  2. Matt37401

    Matt37401 Nat Pres stalwart

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    Have to ask Bob, is there any chance of you working with the owners a certain chunky Apple Green 0-6-2? An N2 Ramble would be good fun!
     
  3. billbedford

    billbedford Member Friend

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    Sorry Bob but I do have to point out that jb is a very solid supporter of the SVR and in fact has bought shares towards the proposed turntable
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 12, 2017
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  4. KristianGWR

    KristianGWR Member

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    Lovely to see these two out and about again, with the added bonus of 7714 in action on the SVR, who put on a terrific show of her own up Eardington Bank! Filmed at Earlswood, Blunts Green, Churchill and Eardington. I hope you enjoy! :)
     
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  5. Johnb

    Johnb Nat Pres stalwart

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    I think you have misunderstood my remark. My gripe is not with anyone but the weathermen who said we would be in for a fairly pleasant day following initial dullness. I had planned for the locos to be that way round but a long distance side on view is no good in those conditions. A study of the timings would have shown that there was no time to turn the locos at either Tyseley or Kidderminster and if I was one of the crew I'd want the engine smokebox first up Old Hill Bank. I've been an SVR member since 1970 and yes I did subscribe to this and a previous share issue. I did miss out on one issue but there are other priorities when you have a mortgage and kids at University. There is a quite incorrect assumption that you are either a supporter of railway preservation or a photographer, you can be both.
     
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  6. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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  7. LMarsh1987

    LMarsh1987 Part of the furniture Friend

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    My take on proceedings from yesterday's ramble. The drama at Old Hill topped the day off, though wouldn't of been possible without the signal check at Cradley Heath ! Thanks to all who were involved !
     
  8. gricerdon

    gricerdon Guest

    We'll said Bob
     
  9. nanstallon

    nanstallon Part of the furniture

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    Yes, I felt it was a bit poor to leave a whole trainload of passengers festering outside the station.
     
  10. nanstallon

    nanstallon Part of the furniture

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    Yes, there was some great music to finish off the day.
     
  11. Johnb

    Johnb Nat Pres stalwart

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    Apart from the fact he misunderstood what I said
     
  12. bob.meanley

    bob.meanley Member

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    Well I am glad to hear this, and well done for supporting the SVR fund. There was no misunderstanding on my part, purely a reaction to your quite clear and very concise gripe that the engines were the wrong way round. Hopefully we shall soon be able to put them out the other way round and turn them at Bridgnorth. That way you will be able to photograph them the right way round for free and someone else will be able to complain that they were the wrong way round between Tyseley and Stratford?
    Best Regards
    Bob
     
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  13. bob.meanley

    bob.meanley Member

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    There is always a possibility of doing so, but a lot of work to do to accomplish it (TPWS,OTMR,GSMR, certification etc, etc). Having had experience of it years ago at the GCR, it is a beast of an engine and would do very well on such a job IMHO. It is something I would certainly vote for.
    Regards
    Bob
     
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  14. nanstallon

    nanstallon Part of the furniture

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    You can't please all the people, all the time!
     
  15. 1020 Shireman

    1020 Shireman Part of the furniture Friend

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    The Valley Rambler 11th November 2017

    The thread has drifted a bit and lots of comments have been posted around but not about the train itself and how it ran. Sean provided some brief comments so I thought I'd do a bit of a 'ramble' about what was a fun day out with the smallest mainline registered engines. Our drive up the M50, M5, M42 and around the south of Brum was a dreary one with rain most of the way, heavy at times. Hate it when the weather forecast of persistent rain is right!

    We left Warwick Road top and tailed with 9600 on the front with Reg + 8 and 9466 bringing up the rear, and almost climbed out onto the mainline. Almost because after a short stop with 9466 now leading we dropped back down towards Tyseley Loco Works and traversed the DTS loop to gain access to the mainline at Tyseley South Junction. This included the steep climb past the east end of Tyseley station which made the little engines bark a bit. Onto the North Warwick Line the crews got into their work and we chattered past Spring Road at 23 and picked up speed on the 1 in 502 through Hall Green, 34, and reached 39 on the level through Yardley Wood at the start of the mile and a half of 1 in 183. There was a distinct increase of noise from the front and back as the little engines climbed the bank, only losing 5 mph before picking back up to 35 through Shirley. Then the brakes came on and we came to a stand in Whitlock's End as we were presumably too close to the preceding service Train.

    After a 3 minute stop the little engines made a bit of noise as they climbed the 2 miles of 1 in 528/230 to Earlswood in fine style. We passed through the station at 33 and our speed increased to 40. We ran through The Lakes at 34, before being eased to drift down the bank to Wood End, passed at 35. Speed rose as we left the tunnel and drifted down the 5 1/2 miles of 1 in 150 of Danzey Bank near the engines' allowed max of 45. We drifted through Henley-in-Arden at 43; Wooten Wawen at 45+. Speed dropped to 35 on the gentle climb to Bearley Junction from where it was all downhill to Stratford-upon-Avon.

    There was light drizzle during the time 9466 was detached and ran around the train. The engines were watered from Reg. At 11 o'clock the whistle sounded for a well observed 2 minute silence in memory of the fallen at the north end of the platform, broken by a further whistle.

    At 1115 we made a noisy and smoky departure. Speed was 26 at the end of the 3/4 mile of 1 in 227 and had picked up to 37 as the engines were worked hard through the Parkway station onto the foot of the 1 1/2 miles of 1 in 75 to Wilmcote. 3 back they sounded superb as they tackled the bank in fine style and crested the summit just before the station at 34. Speed picked up rapidly and we crossed Bearley Jn at 42 and dropped down the bank at 42/3 before it got noisy over the mile of 1 in 150 up to Wooten Waven, passed at 40. On a steady climb of 1 in 174 speed held at 40/1 through Henley-in-Arden where the 5 miles+ of 1 in 150 to Wood end started.

    We made a fine sight and sound as the engines climbed the bank. At the mid-point we sort of roared through Danzey at 36 after which speed fell to 32 over the final 1 1/2 miles into Wood End Tunnel. The gradient eased to 3/4 mile at 1 in 264 (32) before a further close to 2 miles of 1 in 181. Mid way up this climb we passed The Lakes at 33.5 and as the grade eased to 1 in 281 passed Earlswood at 34. That's all the excitement on the northbound run as the rest of the line is downgrade. We passed Whitlock's End at 37 then drifted to Spring Road in the low to mid 20s. At Tyseley South Jn we turned down onto Tyseley DTS to take water. A good bit of climbing by the little engines.

    Suitably replenished the little engines charged noisily out of the loop onto the mainline. We passed Small Heath at 28 on the falling grade and charged off towards Moor Street. The little engines really sounded superb as they charged through Moor Street at 32 onto the 3/4 miles of 1 in 45. Speed fell rapidly to 22 despite the noise and smoke from the front as we climbed into the tunnel where the loud chatter from the engines reverberated off the tunnel sides. We eased into Snow Hill Station to pick up more passengers.

    After the short 1 in 47d we climbed across the top towards Smethwick. We hit 27 on the 1 in 125 into Hockley Tunnels and passed Jewellery Station at 26. Speed rose to 39 on the downgrade and then we tackled the 2 miles of mostly 1 in 100, losing little speed. Passengers on a southbound tram looked surprised to see a pair of Panniers on a train. Speed rose to 36 before we were brought to a sharp stand at The Hawthorns with more than 1/2 mile of 1 in 100 to go. Shame that as it was a very good climb to that point. After a 6 minute stop we continued on our noisy smoky way up the remainder of the climb and then it was basically all downhill through Langley Green(41); Rowley Regis(42); Old Hill(45) on the 1 in 51d; Cradley Heath(46) and Lye(43). We drifted through Stourbridge Jn at 31 and did a bit of work up a mile of 1 in 301 and then ran at our maximum allowed speed through Hagley and Blakedown.

    We got onto the SVR quickly but then much to our surprise we were held in the loop as the SVR Service Train and a Driver Experience Train with 813 on the front drifted in and occupied the platforms at Kidderminster Town. Quite a number of our passengers were disappointed as they'd intended taking the 1400 train to Bridgnorth. The engines watered and Reg was shunted onto the back of the train. When we were dragged into the station and got off the train there was a bit of chaos for the short time we had there. One excellent pint of Town Crier was all I managed to get. The queues at Captain Cod and the Restaurant meant no hot food either.

    So off to Bridgnorth a little late. The noisy climb of Eardington was enjoyed by the passengers and linesiders alike. We arrived at Bridgnorth late and there was more chaos than at Kiddy. I gave up on trying to get served in the Railwaymans. The cafe had no hot food or sandwiches left and seemed to be packing up until they were invaded by hungry and thirsty passengers from our train. There was a long queue for the crisps, cakes, scones and drinks they did have. We bought a three pack of beer from the shop and I sampled the Bewdley Brewery's Jubilee Ale which was a very decent beer. It was dark when we left. The climb out of Bridgnorth was good but there are a lot of slacks on the railway at the moment. Nice climb away from Victoria Bridge and an on time arrival in Kiddy Loop.

    We left the SVR on time with the littlest one, 9600, at the head of the train. We dashed through Kiddy ML station at 16 onto the almost 2 miles of 1 in 261. We were coach 6 so didn't hear a lot of noise on the climb, topped at a decent 36. The grade lessened for a mile and then we attacked the mile+ of 1 in 165 at 44; passed Blakedown at 42 and carried 38 onto the 2 miles of 1 in 121. The little engines held 38 up the climb through Hagley before being checked on the approach to Stourbridge Jn. We drifted through the station at 14 and saw the Parry People Mover in the platform.

    The run from here to Rowley Regis up Old Hill Bank is what many of us had come for. There's a mile of downgrade where we picked up to 33.4, followed by a mile or so of mixed grades before Cradley Heath Station approached at 21. It was a damp night and typically were checked on the station approach. We slipped before the station and our speed fell to 8 mph. The little engines picked up to 16 on the short 1 in 246(15) before the gradient steepened to 1/2 mile of an average of 1 in 65ish. We slipped again but managed to pick up to 22 at the foot of the 1 1/2 miles + of 1 in 51 through old Hill. The crews attacked the bank in fine style. The noise carried back well beyond the train and the distinctive loud chatter reverberated off the surrounding buildings.

    A mile in our speed was a steady 25 but then we slipped again on the damp rail. Speed dropped to 21 and we slipped again just south of Old Hill Station. The slip was recovered well and we charged through the station and onward into the tunnel at 20.5. The gradient eased to 1 in 81 in the tunnel and we charged through Rowley Regis Station at almost 25, an excellent climb in the conditions.

    The engines cruised across the top through The Hawthorns(34) after which we were eased through Jewellery Quarter at 19, a busy time as there were trams in both directions alongside us. After a set down at Snow Hill we drifted down through Moor Street at 13; Bordesley at 19 and Small Heath at 12. It took the usual 9-10 minutes to drop down to Warwick Road Station at the end of another excellent day out with.

    It is always great to have the opportunity to travel behind Panniers on the mainline. Again they didn't disappoint as 9600 and 9466 gave us some excellent bank climbing and nice running at 'around their maximum speed'.

    Thanks to VT for running the train; to the Tyseley Team for 9600; to Dennis and his team for 9466; and to WCR for providing the usual excellent crews.

    As has been said earlier, It was a pity about the short time we had at both ends on the SVR. On the other hand it was good to see the King and Castle at Kiddy and the Railwaymans at Bridgnorth so busy and to see such good loadings on their trains on a pretty miserable November day. From what we saw our passengers did a good job of topping up the day's takings by buying lots of beer, refreshments and goodies from the shops and stalls. The Christmas Cards sold out!!!

    Hope we get another couple of 'rambles' next year.
     
  16. Johnb

    Johnb Nat Pres stalwart

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    Sorry for not making myself clear, I was certain they were going to be worked like and understand the operational reasons for doing so. I and had looked at locations with that in mind based on an inaccurate weather forecast. Also a bit over the top to say it was a wasted day I did get to listen to two panniers working hard away from Bearley Junction, a bit of a rare occurance mores the pity
     
  17. John Petley

    John Petley Part of the furniture

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    Thank you for your detailed description of what sounds to have been a great day out. I lived for 3 1/2 years in Gloucestershire and one item I was determined to tick off from my "wish list" during my time there was to travel with Vintage Trains. Prior to this move (and subsequently, now I have returned to deepest East Sussex), I had only seen the pictures and heard the reports of how good a set-up they were. Anyway, I wasn't the least bit disappointed with 5043 on the Cheltenham Flyer nor with 4965 on the Welsh Dragon - both excellent performances by superbly-maintained engines, but I regretted at the time that I was never able to fit in a run behind the Panniers. Having read your report of last Saturday's run, I'm more disappointed than ever. It really sounds fun.
     
  18. michaelh

    michaelh Part of the furniture

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    For future reference - Captain Cod is not the only Fish and Chip Shop on Comberton Hill. There is another one ("The In Plaice" from memory) about 100 yards down on the same side as the station.
     
  19. malc

    malc Part of the furniture

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    Indeed .. and there was no queue when I went there on Saturday (although I do prefer Captain Cod, but the queue at the latter put me off).
     
  20. Mick45305

    Mick45305 Member

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    Certainly had a grand day out with 9600 & 9466. Highlights were the excellent climbs of Wilmcote and Old Hill, 19.5 into the tunnel after a severely checked first few miles from Stourbridge Jn and several large slips around Old Hill station was very commendable. Plus the SVR was another highlight as the line effectively had a mini gala around the charter. It was also nice to meet Sean Emmett during the day.

    The only thing that marred the day somewhat was a very rude passenger sat directly opposite me, I stood up to get a sound recording on my phone of the climb to Wilmcote (I keep my phone inside and never completely out of the toplight) and about halfway into the climb he asked if I could sit down, not in a nice manner but in an abrupt, sharp tone. Later on when back at Tyseley, a passenger on the table to my left only wanted to get some pictures from his seat of the works and he said the same to him; apparently we were spoiling his view out of the windows. But for a good chunk of the run he was looking at his phone, or was asleep! :confused: He also barked at the rest of the passengers to keep quiet during any announcements. He was not a popular character as the day wore on!
     
    Last edited: Nov 13, 2017
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