Vintage Trains 2023

I had been looking forward to this since it was advertised, double headed Castles doesnt happen that often so I had to go for it.
Not knowing the line very well and relying on public transport I had to keep locations close to avoid travelling to far. I chose Kennington for the outward run and Culham for return but I found out there was a 20 mph TSR which would have spoilt the shot so I stayed at Kennington for the return after nice meal and a couple of pints in nearby pub.

 

A top event from Didcot and 7029 & 5043 were on top form! The crew on 4079 also gave us a huge show on the demonstration line:

 

Nearing Banbury station going to Didcot.

 

Does anyone know if the speed restriction at Culham was just for the steam or everything? Looking at the signs in @TheModster footage it looks like it is the latter.
Yesterday was fantastic, it was wonderful to see this come to fruition having been promised when the Vintage Trains CBS was set up. Will share some photos later.

 

In my opening clip you can see the 20mph warning sign for the TSR, so yes it was applying to all trains.

 

No holding back from 5043 & 7029 on the grand finale up Hatton Bank.

 

To say yesterday we suffered from flat light would be an understatement but two Castles just had to be done. The best I could extract from the RAW files at Leamington, Kings Sutton and Little Bourton.

 

Oh...yes!!!! Wish I could like multiple times!!

 

My video of the 7029 & 5043 seen at Birmingham & Didcot , also video of the Didcot event.

 

Photos of the tour yesterday, well worth the early start and drive to Oxfordshire to see.


Just north of Tackley, the pair were signal checked here as they were running a few minutes early and caught the stopping train in front.



The return run approaching the site of Fritwell & Somerton station, partially reflected in the canal.



Storming away from the stop at Banbury, passing the foot crossing at Great Bourton.

 

Interested to know what coal you were using yesterday.. I didn't observe any rush to clean the fire, check the smokebox or drop the ashpan whilst at 81E, I know the load was light for the power available, Everything about the presentation and delivery looked 110% - well done...
It was also great to see Didcot buzzing all JGF to steal a term from the Ffestiniog.

Ian

 

Castles at Didcot & 5043 / 7029 at Ayhno, Culham & Great Bourton. Not a patch on some of the Hatton videos, but something different




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I have noticed in some of the videos from Saturday that the two locos' wheels go in and out of sync. From being in sync they go to anti-sync in about 20 revolutions, implying a 1 in 40 difference of size. I haven't managed to work out which wheels are turning faster, but could Clun's be 2 inches smaller towards the end of its period of service than the Earl's, newly in service after overhaul?

 

Strangely enough I noticed that and drew the same conclusion but considered I was mad...no reflection on you, by the way

 

My video of the full day

 

Afternoon All,

I too was out and about for the special train from Birmingham to the Didcot Railway Centre using two Castles double heading. This was quite a sight and I went to Oxford and Banbury to see the train on its return run back to Birmingham. South of Oxford, the train was delayed by a P.W. slack so it was really thrashing through Oxford as it made up the lost time. I captured this on video, along with a spirited departure from Banbury and this now on my YouTube channel. The footage from Didcot, where the two Castles were lined up with Didcot's own two Castles, will have to wait until I've got more time, but in the meantime, here's the footage from Oxford and Banbury:



TTFN,

Ron.

 

That footage clearly shows the wheel correlation...in sync and then gradual un sync..

 

Was anybody on Saturday's train timing it? I've been asked how fast it was going through Oxford on the return run so rather than guess I wondered whether can tell me.

Ron.

 

65 mph