RTC Cotswold Venturer - 23/08/25

I think it’s the lack of servicing available at Worcester, causing the change to Gloucester. If there is no depot staff for WMT nothing can go on or off.

 

Why do they so rarely go up Honeybourne bank?

 

More than a lack of paths , there is a week long blockade from Norton Jn to Moreton in Marsh.
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...25-08-23/0600-2000?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt

Cheers, Neil

 

On a more serious level, there are pathing problems with the single line sections at both ends of the OWW route from Oxford to Worcester. Both Wolvercot and Norton Junctions are single leads which means longer junction margins for trains exiting the single line - and fitting into suitable gaps on the double track route they are joining.

Cheers, Neil

 

Part of my ' sigh' was that they rarely go up Honeybourne bank. More seem to go down it, which isn't so interesting for those standing lineside.

I did manage to catch Braunton going up. It was a last minute thing, I heard as t Broadway and rushed over, and there it was!

 

I've seen a suggestion that the return journey will be steam throughout from Worcester, is that feasible?

 

Not unless things have changed since this lot were loaded into RTT.
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...3/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt&toc=WR

 

Clan Line heading through Virginia Water this morning on the Cotswold Venturer, wearing the GA ahead of its visit to Ashford depot tomorrow:

 

I hope that all the clag coming out of the diesel doesn't cause a lineside fire that Clan Line will get blamed for.

But the help remains essential, as Big Al has inferred.

Bryan

 

Why isn't the diesel behind the tender as is usual for fire risk situtions, I wonder? Is it not actually prescribed to be there, just preferred? I had thought it had to be there when used as prime traction.

 

Indeed - although a few heavy showers will take care of the vegetation. The soil/groundwater, though, is going to take months.

 

The RTT schedule you attached looks like steam to me - 60mph and 715 tonnes. What am I missing?

 

Incorrect. The diesel can be anywhere in the consist as per the operators preference. I believe only DB really prefer it there, LSL do it when the steam is only a headboard, and WCR try not to if possible.

 

All depends on operational SOP.
WCR opt for either, but having a diesel at the rear increases operational flexibility without having to out-base the fleet.
DB opt for anything that is powering the train to be at the front of the consist. Any reversing movements are made possible by a large fleet being available at often strategic locations being able to drop on the rear to power for a short required distance, or take the new head of the train.
I’m not 100% sure on LSL having never worked with them, but there has once been a similar procedure to DB in that anything powering must be at the front, and appears to a degree to still be in place when the powering diesel is right behind the steam in diesel mandated levels of fire risk. But also having a diesel at the rear means that, again, operational flexibility is there without the need to out-base.