The Bath Christmas Market - 6th December 2014.

RTT has this timed for 75mph, but the UKS timings page has it booked for two Black Fives. However, the UKS overview page shows 34067 in charge. Does anyone have any idea which it is likely to be, as the information conflicts at present? Mind you, if the Black Fives' performance yesterday is anything to go by, perhaps 75mph would be appropriate for both!

 

Black 5s are booked on Southend to Norwich job on 6th

 

Thanks - that probably clears it up. Bulleid on the Southern and LMS on the LTS - the natural order of things!

 

I am hoping for Tangmere. You need always want a Southern loco on Southern lines


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Tangmere is definitely on this job


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It is Tangmere.

 

Probably Tangmere plus diesel tomorrow ? (considering the movement of stock at Bristol and the climb of Upton Scudamore bank on the return. <BJ>

 

Tangmere rarely goes anywhere without a DL now

 

I would guess that Tangmere has racked up more delay minutes than any other loco over the last few years, so as you say if you want to keep it on the main line its inevitable it will be more or less chaperoned all the time from now on. Always - visually - an interesting performer tho so I will be chasing this one.

 

Read elsewhere that 37668 will be "assisting" this tomorrow.

 

About the only time Tangmere is on her own is when she is working over the South Devon banks with Ray Churchill driving, he knows how to drive and get the best out of her, but of course he doesn't do any of the Southern trips.

 

Yes Maureen in the hands of a crew who really know these machines they can perform superbly. Even when they have/had a few problems. One 100mph and one 98-99 mph run in 1967 showed me that when they were totally knackered, as well as many other runs behind them when in good condition. But most modern days steam drivers on the mainline don't have the experience of driving the original Bulleids everyday and obviously cannot be expected to know how to deal with every eventuality. Which, with quite a complicated piece of engineering do tend to crop up more often than on other more conventional locos. So a diesel as insurance makes some sense, even if it lessens the interest for us timers when it is pushing.

 

That doesn't say much for the other West Coast drivers. I'm sure that Ray would be quite happy to extend
his knowledge to the other crews. <BJ>

 

Running well, now away from Botley with a massive boot up the bum from the box,

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/clarknet/15336014764/

Not sure how much the box was helping, but she looked good crossing the River Adur!

 

Is Pete Roberts still driving for West Coast ( was South East based)? Ex Nine Elms and pictures of him on the net as a Fireman in a Bulleid in the 60's. More recently drove Tangmere up Sole Street with 13 on and Upway/Bincombe with 11 on , both unassisted.

 

Haven't seen him for a while

 

Quite superb crossing Wallington viaduct. Rare perfect combination of full sun, high tide and no wind plus swans etc. Only the second time I have caught perfect conditions there in 5 years

 

He was back in August last time I did a mainline trip. Actually I have had several unassisted runs with Tangmere driven by Pete over the last 4-5 years.