The Welsh Marches - 16th May 2009

With only a week to go, anybody planning on be out for, or on this one?

I certainly hope to be out and about, where at this time, I know not as the times are not on uksteam yet.
Looking at the Vintage trains website, a 2 hour layover at Hereford means there is time to get a couple of shots either side of that town and the same goes for Gloucester.

 

I know FC is going out for it Bill,just waiting for detailed timings so I can sit down and plan the day out for her.
Me?i am at work saturday morning so wont be able to make it!!! #-o

 

Station times on steam section:
Shrewsbury 0841/0955
Hereford 1107/1315
Gloucester 1541/1650
Snow Hill 1909/19xx
Tyseley WR 1940

David

 

Wow! 2 whole hours at Hereford! Shots at Church Stretton and Llanvilhangle quite possible, then. (Last time I tried to drive through Hereford, it took 30 minutes for less than 4 miles!)

 

Thanks David. Any idea of the load? <BJ>

 

Yup, been stuffed there before too, and that was late on a Saturday evening!

 

Imagine if it goes in the middle road!

 

Thanks David.
I hope you all enjoy your day out while im at work :smt013

 

Indeed, thanks again David. Looks like it won't be to early a start then!
I was aware of the layovers in Hereford & Gloucester and that made me think that a comfortable 4 shots was on, but I hope to be going for 6 if the weather stays with me/us [-o<

Can't wait to see the full times (hint, hint, David) when they are finalised.

 

Thanks David, that was prompt work.

Full times at http://www.uksteam.info/tours/t09/t0516d.htm.

Another 25 mins for water at Magor.....nice.

 

This will be my first attempt to watch steam on the mainline, so........ Can anyone give me a decent location/s to go to between Shrewsbury and Leominster? Looking at the maps, there seems to be numerous places adjacent to the A49. Or should I be looking at one of the bridges down the lanes.

Any tips will be appreciated.

 

At some overbridges there may be speed restrictions due to clearance restrictions. <BJ>

 

Uksteam showing load as 12 coaches. That should make 'em bark! <BJ>

 

If you don't mind a bit of a climb, go up the hillside above Church Stretton. You can see for miles up there, from All Stretton to Marshwood Vale. If you're after photos, though, you'll need a good long lens. My video camera has the equivalent (in 35mm terms) of a 700mm, which is just about enough!

 

You may need a longer lens than that. Nunney Castle has been prevented from leaving the Paignton and Dartmouth Railway due to 'politics'. <BJ>

 

Damm. Can you elaborate ? I was going out within the next hour to photograph 5029 on her way back to Tyseley ? Is the LE move definitely 'canned' for the day ?


Thanks
STEVE

 

Are you inferring that Saturdays tour may be pulled because Nunney's LE move is not happening today???????? Gawd I hope not.

 

Hmmm. Something similar happened once before, didn't it? A visiting loco was prevented from leaving Paignton because there was a disagreement over the bill. Wasn't that a rail-tour loco, though? Hopefully it's something that can be sorted out today and she'll be back home tomorrow.

Anyway, thinking about Saturday, if Nunney is not available... The load is supposed to be 12, presumably including the Pullmans. I reckon 5043 could handle that on Llanvihangel, though she'd lose time on the climbs. 12 would definitely be too many for Old Hill without assistance, though.

Will a Hall fit on the revised route? If so, how about Pitchford Hall or Kinlet Hall piloting instead of Nunney? It would mean a 60 mph maximum, though, so they'd still lose time on the schedule. Will a Hall fit between Worcester and Tysley? Could one of them pilot over the last section? If all else fails, they could add the green 47 (on the back) at Worcester.

Alternatively, how many coaches could EoME take up Old Hill unassisted? 10? She'd probably keep to time, more or less, over the rest of the route with that load. How many seats have Vintage Trains sold? It might be possible to lose one coach, but two?

I don't envy Bob M and his team just at the moment, but I'm sure they can come up with a "Plan B".

 

I don't suppose it will be pulled entirely, but it might need to be revised a bit and, at the worst, need diesel assistance for some or all of the route. However, there's still a few days for 5029 to get home. Let's hope the "politics" can be resolved quickly. At least it's not due to broken metal that might take weeks to repair or replace. "Politics" can often be fixed with a phone call or two.

 

Letter from VT with tickets specified coaches A to G ( ABC= Pullman : D=1st : EFG=Standard ) if you add the support coach and the shop/buffet coach that is 9 which is a typical VT make-up. Nothing is showing fully booked on the VT website so loading probably not close to 100%