61306 Mayflower - Cathedrals Express - 7th June 2015

I wasn't timing in detail or carefully but I had the GPS working and I think about 43 at Mickleton Rd, 34 into the tunnel and 32.5 min. at the other end of the tunnel. Wonderful noise climbing the bank!! Ironic that whilst one cannot stand in the vestibules on a 75mph steamer whilst chasing Mayflower about last Thursday I HAD to stand in the vestibule with all the windows wide open on the 125mph HST to Swindon. Hey-Ho.

And yes she ran this one with consumate ease. Re. Norton-Wolvercote: start to pass as we were standing at Norton Jn sigs. for several mins awaiting a train off the Oxford line.

 

We were at the tunnel, and we could hear the B1 passing Mickleton Rd, was a great sound, though at the time of the ascent there were two Mustangs flying directly above doing loops. Fortunately they shifted in time.

 

I know ! I was going to attempt the money shot, with the loco & planes in one sequence, then, I, talked myself out of it !

 

You wait till you see my dream shot* of an A4 at 90mph with a victor flying on one side and a vulcan on the other.


*so called because it was only in my dreams............

 

Really enjoyable day following, Mayflower. Apart from, Britannia, I doubt there's a better mainline performer on the rails at the moment ! Such a pleasure to film.

 

A slightly different take from the same location, can be found Here

 

My footage from Culham, Broad Campden, Honeybourne and Cholsey.

 

A couple from yesterday evening:

South of Moreton in Marsh



Through Culham after the stop at Oxford.

 

Footplate crews have more important things to engage in safety wise instead of whistling just to entertain people standing on station platforms or for video recordings, in view of what's happened you'd think enthusiasts would be pleased just to have steam back on the mainline instead of moaning about something that minuscule.

 

To be fair to Hatherton, I think his comment is more along the lines of it's a shame, but forgotten 5 seconds later as the trivial thing it is, not a furious tirade or anything, wouldn't take it as a criticism.

 

After I saw and filmed her at Reading on Sunday morning and posted it here, an up Swansea to Paddington HST was full to standing and the vestibules packed it is indeed ironic to think people are being "banned" on a steam tour. Anyway, before being told off for raising this again, all I can say is check out the Torbay Express on Sunday. I suspect we will be reflecting on BAN, WHAT BAN! I certainly hope so. Back to Mayflower, have you notice she is becoming a little work stained, just as she would have done in the 1950's. Delightful.

 

Thanks for you comment Dave. Worry not, I didn't take it personally and won't lose any sleep over "Maureen's" comments. I just like a good old blast on the whistle especially when at speed just as every enthusiast and non-enthusiast does; ESPECIALLY IF IT A GWR ONE. HA HA HA!

 

Yeah, bit ironic. Whilst waiting at Tilehurst on Sunday evening for 61306 an up HST passed through & at least one person was leaning out of the door droplights.
Not by an excessive amount, but even so.
Surely if this "rule" is to be enforced it should cover the whole network & operators.