'The Cotswold Explorer'. 8th October, 2016

'The Cotswold Explorer'. 8th October, 2016.

GWR No.5043 'Earl of Mount Edgcumbe'.

http://www.vintagetrains.co.uk/cotswold8oct2016/

The RTT timings are now available for the Tyseley to Oxford section of this tour. <BJ>

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50641/2016/10/08/advanced

 

That's a more civilised start time than the 0715 expected.

 

Does anyone know if the Earl will go to Didcot for servicing/turning or is she likely to stay in Oxford?

 

From recollection the other week she cantered down to Didcot to turn on the triangle but no idea where she serviced?

 

No times for it on RTT at present see http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/sea...8/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt&toc=WR

 

Return times http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50644/2016/10/08/advanced

 

I believe she was serviced back at Oxford in the Up/Down Passenger loop. While on my way to Banbury, she certainly turned a fair few heads as my Cross Country passed it outside Oxford. Full marks to the support crew that day - just as I arrived at Oxford, the mother of all thunderstorms turned up too and I can't say I'd have enjoyed oiling/coaling a locomotive in rain like that...!

James

 

There's no need for the loco to turn on this occasion. The return is via Evesham. The question is where the stock will be stabled during the afternoon and whether a DL will be required for any propelling moves to/from sidings. My guess is that no DL will be needed. This was the case previous times VT ran this itinerary. RTT says the train waits in the Up/Down passenger loop for 16 mins, pulls into Platform 3, then sets back into the same loop. I think P3 is the Up platform, so a direct and straight route back to the loop.

 

Not sure I follow that . Surely the passenger loops are north of the station

 

There is a Down Passenger Loop that extends northwards from the Down Platform (P4) end right through to Oxford North Junction at 64m 45c. This isn't normally used for stabling, although there are adjacent carriage sidings where terminating/ reversing Paddington services are berthed. But for a train approaching Oxford from the south/ Didcot direction that needs to be held pending availability of a platform without obstructing the main running lines, the logical routing, as with the Cotswold Explorer, is to cross from the Down Main, across the Up Main, into the Up/ Down Passenger Loop well to the south of Oxford station at 62m 51c.

This "Loop" is, in effect, the Up Relief Line from Oxford Station Up Through Platform P3, extending southwards for nearly one mile. In the northbound direction, there is no access back across the layout south of Oxford station to gain the Down Platform (P4), so this dictates the subsequent use of the Up Through Platform P3 for the various set-down/ reverse/ berth/ pick-up manoeuvres throughout the lay-over in Oxford.

Incidentally, in previous years, the Earl has put on quite an impressive mid-afternoon show of smoke and steam in advancing forward along the loop from its stabling location to collect the waiting passenger complement at Platform 3. If it happens this year, its well worth catching this "Party Piece" moment on a generally superb tour whose one and only drawback (IMHO) is that doesn't offer to the participants too many good opportunities to photograph the locomotive

 

Thanks for that. Starts at Hinksey N . Found it in Quail now

 

RTT says the train's just arriving at Snow Hill. Anyone seen it yet?

 

Reported as 5043 + 10 coaches. No diesel. <BJ>

 

Cheers Bill. The sun's trying to shine in Oxford. Off to the Golden Valley...

 

Left Snow Hill on time. Can anybody confirm load? We are near back so will be all day.

 

Load 9 plus water carrier. From a fellow passenger who joined at Worcester.

 

5043 'Earl of Mount Edgcumbe' looked stunning today as we filmed the train from high above St. Mary's level crossing near Chalford.

Good to see a Great Western loco working hard in such beautiful Cotswold surroundings.

Thanks to all concerned .

Thanks also to Paul Woollard for obtaining permission to prepare and clear the location . <BJ>

 

Load 10 up Old Hill will be interesting, though it's made it before with that load. Anyone know how Sapperton was handled ? Not expecting fireworks now that there's no Churchill in charge, unless Mr Poole got the job.

 

It was Ray Poole. Fantastic throughout. 37 min Sapperton. 10 on for about 375 tons. 76 before Ashchurch and 77.1 before Challow. Some amazing acceleration ul to speed. Will be in HR issue after next

 

Filmed at marley lane bridge at Chalford. Stunning noise and clag. Even had some souvenir coal chunks