Cathedrals Express Thursday Dec 5

Already mentioned on the RTC day trips 2013 thread but thought it deserved a thread of its own. Double-headed Black Fives from London Victoria to Bath on the outward leg but steam only as far as Salisbury on the return.

 

And then the light engines go direct to Southall via Reading, to get home before curfew.

 

The local weather forecast for Bath looks very good for Thursday.....we shall see. <BJ>

 

Maybe see you in The Globe between the down and up runs, then Bill?

 

Note that RTT has this as timed at 75mph rather than the 60mph limit for 'Black Fives'.

 

Yes indeed - I hope to be at Shalford to photograph it so look forward to a spirited departure from Guildford!

 

Understood, but for other runs the RTT info. for Black 5s has read 'Diesel loco timed for 60mph max.', so the option does exist in the system.

 

Think you may be a bit lonely at Shalford - unless I've missed something the train isn't going that way!

 

Hopefully he meant Shalford Junction!

 

A quick update: the local weather for Bath now shows cloud with a 20 mph wind gusting to 43 mph. Oh well. <BJ>

 

I assume this will be taking water at Salisbury on the way out? If so, is twenty minutes enough for two locos? Or can they top up both simultaneously?

Also, for the Kent Yetis and others on the forum: what was the steam-era timing for Salisbury - Warminster - Westbury? This is only allowed 22 minutes Salisbury - Warminster (about 21 miles, gently climbing) which seems pretty sharp for a train limited to 60mph! The current DMU timing for service trains is only 2 minutes faster.

Tom

 

RTT show no report of departure yet. Has it left?

Don

 

Through chilly Chiswick at 0915. Pics later.

 

It showed right time departure on RTT when I looked at 8:45 now running a little late.

 

Just south of Shalford junction - running late. Brought the cold northern weather with it :-(
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