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Cathedrals Express to the WSR 21/08/18

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by Arun Valley, Aug 10, 2018.

  1. Arun Valley

    Arun Valley New Member

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    Steam Dreams' website is showing A4 60009 to haul this train as Mayflower is not yet available.

    Times are on RTT:
    Outward (from London Victoria) - http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55290/2018/08/21/advanced
    Return - http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55291/2018/08/21/advanced

    There are corresponding light engine movements to / from London Victoria. The outward seems to have water stops at Newbury Racecourse and Frome, but nothing obvious on the retun (10 mins at both Woodborough Up Goods Loop and Ascot). There is not much time allowed for a loco swap at Bishops Lydeard on the retun. Would 60009 be turned on the triangle and couple to the rear of the train to be taken to Minehead on the outward? Anyhow, IF the return is steam hauled it would appear that the Eastbound steam locomotive prohibition on the Berks and Hants has been lifted.

    Cheers!
    -SC-
     
  2. Peter29

    Peter29 New Member

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    Seems an odd path (WSR times are wrong anyway) - 60009 on Sat 18th takes a more realistic path on its way back up the B&H (so yes it looks as though the restriction has been eased for 60009 at least - although it is subject to a 20mph restriction through Aldermaston platform).
    http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55280/2018/08/18/advanced

    The A4 would not go beyond Bishops Lydeard on the WSR.
     
  3. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Have decided to go on this one after a gap of nearly three years since my last Steam Dreams trip. All the signs suggest that this should be 60009 running on its own and the WSR is always a good value destination. So wish me luck on my £100 lottery that will have to be my personal farewell to Union of South Africa that has been the mainstay of A4 mainline steam for so long.

    I doubt if Mr Cameron will be on board but if he is I will shake his hand. One of only a few people in the main line steam world to whom we should all be truly grateful. Such a long time now since I first had a ride behind her with its observation car from Lochty to Knights Ward back in 1969.
     
  4. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Timings from SD confirm what we guessed; the RTT times on the WSR are wrong. Arrive at 1525 and leave Minehead at 1630. No time for a run up to Watchet on the WSR service trains either.
     
  5. MellishR

    MellishR Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    On Monday, on the West Somerset Steam Express 18/08/18 thread
    Any guesses as to whether that will have changed by Tuesday?
     
  6. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Well there is a diesel return path from Victoria to Southall on Tuesday and I'd hardly call the suburban line to Reading via Staines as Wessex. So I don't see the problem.
     
  7. Paul42

    Paul42 Part of the furniture

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    It appears from the Network Rail route map that the South Western suburban routes are part of Wessex.
     
  8. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Part of the furniture

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    It will need some slick work from all concerned to even achieve that I reckon (and all the WSR service trains running on time as well!)
     
  9. 45076

    45076 Member

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  10. WSR timings for Tuesday's charter to Minehead (ignore RTT WSR version):

    B/Lydeard a. 13.45
    d. 14.10 (53808)
    Minehead a. 15.25
    d. 16.30
    B/Lydeard a. 17.43
    d. 18.10 (60009)
     
  11. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Part of the furniture

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    Anyone know if the Wessex zone prohibition of unassisted steam is still in place as it would impact on this and the DCE on Thursday.
     
  12. J Shuttleworth

    J Shuttleworth Member

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    As of today, all Routes currently declaring fire-risk as 'Low', so normal steam operations resumed.

    JS
     
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  13. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Part of the furniture

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    Many thanks for the update James.
     
  14. CLN_WVR

    CLN_WVR Member

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    60009 did almost the same tour to WSR on Saturday without a diesel (on either end)
     
  15. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Part of the furniture

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    I know Colin but that tour was all GW zone, today's first part is Wessex zone as far as Reading hence my question.
     
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  16. 30567

    30567 Part of the furniture Friend

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    Mr Shuttleworth says on another thread, can't remember which, that the fire risk conditions are now low throughout the country.

    Edit --- bangs head--- see post #12 on this thread.
     
  17. duncananderson

    duncananderson New Member

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    Here she is either side of Reading.
    Firstly between Earley and Reading, bit gloomy in the trees...
    IMG_7898b.jpg
    Then passing through Reading West after departing from the stop at Reading, catching a little sunny interlude
    IMG_7901b.jpg
     
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  18. buseng

    buseng Part of the furniture

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    A lot of confusion on the return times, UKSteam seem to "lose" an hour between Bedwyn & Newbury.
    More to the point UKSteam shows a 15 min water stop at Theale, RTT shows it as passing straight through half hour after UKSteam (whose times are an hour behind RTT).
    Who do you believe?
     
  19. jsm8b

    jsm8b Part of the furniture

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  20. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Part of the furniture

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    Certainly a day on a train rather than a day to somewhere by train. Loco change outside BL so the passengers could not even have a leg stretch, photo opportunity or shop visit on top of only 65 minutes at MD. May be fine for the enthusiast community, but probably not what many thought they would get when expecting a day out by steam train to the seaside I guess.
     
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