The Mayflower 11 September

Actual Times from RTC website : -


Station Depart Return
London Euston 06:48 21:45 (Paddington)
Slough 07:40 21:19
Reading 08:15 20:48
Newbury 08:41 20:23
Exeter (Nunney Castle being attached) 11:53 17:45
Plymouth Arrive 13:00 Depart 16:15

 

Slough suddenly seems like an attractive place to start from (everything is relative...)

First shot of the day about 0900 near Crofton, then off the MHR Gala. I can think of worse ways to spend a Saturday.

 

Slough is where I shal be joining , but will need to leave Saffron Walden by 06.00 at the latest !

 

Sounds like a similar time I have to leave Haywards Heath staion to get to Paddington and my Grandad has to leave even earlier as he lives in Hailsham

 

I should go to Euston if you want to catch the train!

 

I understand 5029 will attach at Taunton,water in the Tiv loop..... I have Taunton 10.38-58 pl2........

 

We should be now. Has anyone else got their tickets. My Grandad hasn't yet.

 

Tickets arrived today, load is 4 Premier, 2 first, 1 buffet and 2 standard. Doesn't say about two tenders for Bitter or if each loco is having a support coach. Nunney is on at Exeter

 

Received my tickets today.

 

Ah good should get them in time then. 3:30 I've got be up but sure it'll be worth it.

 

Would imagine Bittern will still have 2 tenders or otherwise would need water stop before Exeter .

 

The combination of these two locos might be unusual, it may be more than a coincidence that they are both owned by the same person... perhaps he has made some request to pair them together on a run ?

Brian

 

The plan has changed ! 5029 (no support coach) now on and off at Taunton. 2 tenders behind 60019.
See www.uksteam.info/tours/t10/t0911b.htm (Return times to be added)

David

 

It was never any different, actually, after the request was made for 5029 to assist over the Devon banks.

JS

 

Taunton is sensible anyway. Saves a LE path to Exeter. Leaving Riverside yd on a sat lunchtime can be a challenge with even minor issues on up HSS services as crossing to the down without a stop in the stationrequires several mins. Tiv loop is a good option. In the up direction Exeter is much easier to detach+water as plat6 is generally lightly used. Whilst trying to give a "headsup" on the 7th Sept I was not able to be 100%certain.....!! The switch to Euston shows how challenging tours can be. Loss of platform s at Padd or restricted access for A4s at Padd all make for last min changes.

Famous tours in the 1960s often innovated(60022 at East Putney) (2 USA s over Shap--canc!) This tour is in the same spirit
In Europe Hungarian109.109 was paired with Bill Parkers' 5521........ Enjoy or stay away but please dont snipe. In Australia I was often told the Brits "whinge"
I hope Aussies DONT read Nat Pres W .Highland thread--too much ammunition.!!!

 

Shame that the letter with the tickets says 5029 on and off at Exeter and that is what the lady in the office was saying this morning too, not that I care as more double heading is a bonus!

 

Had a call from RTC today to change my seats to coach G and I asked again when 5029 was coming on the train and the answer was definitely Exeter so who knows?

 

60019 West Drayton 07:30. Thanks to DRS 20304. <BJ>

 

SPOT ON TIME TWYFORD AND GOING WELL

 

10 minutes early at Heywood Rd Junction. Impressive sight evn just coasting down to Westbury. Was it held there for longer than the published minute ?