29th may - possible tour up the lickey incline

Just been browsing through uksteam, and i have found that vintage trains are running at tour, From TYS to Didcot via bromsgrove, worcester and return. Steamed by 70013 throughout with 9600 coming on before bromsgrove to bank the train up the incline?

does anyone have any information on this tour? also is 70013 out of gauge on this route? and why has didcot all of a sudden become a popular destination?

 

Didcot alway was a popular destination? Certainly more to do than some places I.E Holyhead!

Sounds a good trip.

 

If this runs I will move heaven and earth to see it, but it's mighty hard to get a path up the Lickey.

 

1) Best advice is to keep checking the Vintage Trains website for the publication of the 2010 tour brochure, unless anyone with inside info would care to post.
2) Not my specialist subject but I gather Britannias have very good route availability, and given GWR Halls went up the Lickey a few years ago I wouldnt have thought it a problem
3) It's not that unusual a destination, but I think the reason this year will be the GWR 175 celebrations.

 

The gauging problem on the Brum - Bristol route is at Cam & Dursley, such an intinery would turn off the route at Standish Junction before it.

 

And there is an issue northbound at Ashchurch, but as 70013 went to Worcester along that route not so long back it won't be a problem.

 

Thats more width issue with GWR machines so a gauge friendly standard ought to be ok, the Cam one is a severe height issue.

 

Although 4965 & 5043 are scheduled to pass through Aschurch on 20th February!

 

Plus the king has already been up & down (WSR - SVR & vice versa) light engine in late 2009

 

Castles & Kings are slightly better at gauging (width wise anyway) than Hall & Manors (outside cylinders are narrower) but as you say it appears the restriction at Ashchurch has been lifted.

 

Would be nice to see 9466 banking this if it runs. Nothing whatsoever against 9600 she's a little cracker but, Hawksworth panniers and a few jinties and the 9F were what I remember. What about 9466 carrying the number 8400 or any other of the Bromsgrove panniers.

Cheers Dave

 

One of the mags (Heritage railways I think) has suggested that due to a Network Rail dis-inclination to allow loose banking 9600 might pilot rather than bank the train. Anyone heard anything about this?

 

I hadn't heard about this. What's NR's attitude to bankers coupled?

 

I was under the impression that freight trains that are banked up the Lickey without the banker being attached to the train

 

Steam trains out of Victoria are banked without the banker being coupled, but if the banker looses contact with the train, it is not allowed to catch up again.

David

 

Why would it lose contact if its going hard

 

It has happened at least twice due to the diesel driver forgetting to isolate the TPWS.

 

Yep they bank up to Blackwell then 'drop off' in a traditional manner before reversing via the bankers siding (that funny loop in the middle at Blackwell) before dropping back downhill, i've seen this happen in the last 18 months with freights and steam has done it before a few years ago with 4965/4936 & 7760, so i fail to see why it's an issue for what's still a common occurence.

If NR are being needlessly fussy about it then why not COUPLE 9600 to the back at Bromsgrove and have 70013 tow it on the back to destination ?, it would save a light engine path and to access Tyseley a reversal would be needed at Waswood Heath, if 9600 was already on the back it could lead into Tyseley top n tail and save 70013 running round on a busy Mainline.

 

http://www.vintagetrains.co.uk/vt2010_0529.htm

Top and tailed from Bromsgrove with a reversal in the Saltey area