Atlantic Coast Express 4th-6th Sept.

Sad news about Tangmere.

 

Sad news indeed as its usual a very reliable performer. Both locos have done very well up to now at least.
I wonder what will do Tuesdays Yeovil to London section.

And for those lineside... 47500 sped west a while back so I assume the Brit will be unassisted over Whiteball.

 

Tangmere now left in Fairwater Yard. Word is that the 47 is on the front somewhere.

 

I know the footplate crews have to compile with the Hidden reccomendations but does it also apply to the support crew? If so how do the relief support crew get to the train?

 

Departed Tivertoon loop about 2 hours late at 17.48. I can now confirm that the 47 is on the front and seamedto be doing most of the work (although the Brit helped up Whitehall).

 

A very disappointing end to the day after the replanning of the tour by Steam Dreams and Network Rail.

The train was approx 50 late when I filmed it at Flax Bourton, west of Bristol, at 15:01. Reports suggest the train stopped at
Fairwater Yard, Taunton at 15:40. Once Tangmere had been removed from the train a class 47 diesel plus Britannia rejoined
the main line at 17:10 heading for Newquay. At 17:25 Tangmere moved onto the WSR. <BJ>

 

Reported "Newquay 21.57 62 late", so made quite a bit of time up in the end.

 

The stop at Plymouth was cut to around 15 - 20 minutes to speed up proceedings. I think the 47 shoveing to Newquay may have helped too!

All in all not a bad day but we've been thrown a lot of curveballs!

 

Glad to hear that Britannia continued on, but sad for Tangmere. I linesided The Torbay in the morning and set up at Dawlish Warren during the afternoon hoping to see the doubleheader. Unfortunately the weather decided my fate as heavy rain swept in around five oclock.

 

Good question - I was going to suggest 70013 but realised that is busy with the Dorset Coast Express. Only options I can think of are 1) Diesel haulage on the final leg or 2) Find some way for 70000 to work the whole return trip, which will mean re-routing and cutting out the Exeter to Yeovil bit.

I'm sure those responsible at Steam Dreams and WCRC are on the case right now - will be interested to see what they come up with!

 

It's a shame that 71000 Duke of Gloucester had to depart from the WSR today for the Nene Valley Railway.
Just imagine Britannia and the Duke double heading over the Cornwall and Devon banks .....nice. <BJ>

 

I gather that the return from Okehampton to Victoria will now be diesel hauled throughout.

David

 

according to steamdreams website its going to be diesel hauled from okehampton to london any news on tangmere how serious is the damage?

 

Most unfortunate seeing as this is about the only bit that covers the route of the original Atlantic Coast Express, but I don't see what else they can do in the circumstances. I see that 70000 is going up to the West Somerset after coming off at Exeter, presumably as its next tour starts from there on Saturday.

 

That is not good at all. I cannot imagine how it is going to be in the train travelling that distance and route behind a box.

But I am sure that SD and WCR would have explored every possibility. They were certainly not to know about, or to be expected to prepare for everything that has happened with the loco line up in the build up to, and operation of this trip.

 

This could never have happened as the ACE is a West Coast operation. West Coast do not handle Duke of Gloucester.

 

About time for a bit of humble pie then - in the interests of customer care - the same goes for the Tornado silliness.

 

And 60019 is at Swanage undergoing washout exam....

 

Does anyone know what the plan is for tomorrow.
Am assuming it will be the Brit in front with the box inside from Par.
If it is might brave the elements to see it through Plymouth,
but not worth getting wet to see the box pulling the Brit!

 

saw this just outside of bath on Sunday, both locos seemed to be running fine as they passed, and making it look very easy, a real shame to hear about Tangers though lets hope its not to serious, feel for the people that are on this tour.

anyways my pics of the tour
http://www.flickr.com/photos/matthewtomsphotography/6116881691/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/matthewtomsphotography/6116880295/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/matthewtomsphotography/6117425214/in/photostream/

cheers
Matt