'Princess Elizabeth' to visit the WSR. 23rd August, 2016

29/3/08

 

That was the example where a crude extension was needed as Lizzie didn't fit the table normally.

Good point David.

Pretty sure St Blazey is the standard GWR 65ft length.

 

I guess until Lizzie finds her legs, a tail gunner will be present. The only hope is when there is confidence in the loco that this will be dropped and pure steam will prevail.

 

As the WC supremo is quoted "we never book an engine until its proven".

 

.... and then we add a diesel anyway

 

Full timings now on Steam Dreams web-site: http://www.steamdreams.com/executables/GT410WebContent.exe?ActionCode=Timings

 

On the plus side:
The train is steam hauled by Princess Elizabeth from London to the WSR and return.

On the negative side:
The train has a diesel as rear gunner and then the diesel hauls the train over the WSR.

As long as there are no nasty surprises along the way this should still be an excellent railtour.

Princess Elizabeth is back on the main line!! Bring it on. <BJ>

 

.....or two.

News from Wiltshire Avon Gen. <BJ>
''Clagging 47854 piloting failed 47851 on NENTA's 'Plymouth Invader' tour down Strap Lane (near Bruton) at 10:55''.

 

Most daytripper style tours operate top n tail 47/57 anyway to save running round.

 

Very true but because of the failure of the 47 the train has been running double-headed. They'll have to run round today.

Let's hope for a trouble free day for Lizzy. <BJ>

 

I'm a bit stunned to be honest. Never really expected this thing to be running, let alone have its maiden voyage down south. Still plenty of time for spanners in works I guess.

Unlike that other thing that has stunned me, Team GB medals haul. Blimey, beating the Chinese 'n all.

 

Hopefully WCRC will provide an air braked set then the tailgunner 47/57 can be literally switched off as soon as it has assisted out of Victoria. Lizzie's were after all designed to haul 600 ton trains and there are no significant gradients on the outward journey. An ideal running in turn. On the return, Brewham Up, the climb of the mile of 1 in 98 and then after the level section through Bruton, the mile of 1 in 81 to the summit, is included in the 'New Rules' Significant Gradients Table which technically restricts the maximum load to 11. As there's a Castle Cary set down, the tailgunner might assist to get the train to a decent speed but should back off before Bruton if all is well up front.

 

Just goes to prove, if your glass is always looked upon as being "half empty", your get stunned now and again.
Also this "thing" is a well cared for Class 8P 4-6-2 Pacific locomotive and I hope you keep your "spanners" to yourself.

 

I am sure it did a couple of years or so ago. Extension pieces were made and presumably are still kept at Churston.

 

My glass contains old experience.. A fine brew, tho sometimes frothy that promises much but fails to deliver

 

I think it helped that Churston table has 2 entrance/exit roads so Lizzie didn't do a full 180 degrees with the extension fouling another track, so said bodge may not be suitable for other 65ft tables if they only have one entry/exit road.

 

Shame it's on a Tuesday would have got out to see it.

 

Short turntables are an additional restriction on the big locomotives. The one at Rowsley is stopping Lizzie going there (I know that there is a restricted bridge but civil engineers usually allow these to be crept over). Should heritage centres look at creating simple turntables? A turntable is essentially two long beams on a pivot. Traditional ones had an expensive pit and multiple track outlets but all we need now is a simple one-connection arrangement for reversing. No pit is required provided that one can ensure that the locomotive can't run off. The usual huge pivot would be required but the outer supports could be solid rubber tyres on concrete. Any civil engineers with a view?

 

UKSteam suggests Lizzie is coming off at Norton F, whilst RTT suggests the switch to the box is at BL. Anyone know which it will be?

 

RTT doesn't really know about what is planned on the WSR ! The loco change is currently due to take place at Norton (outward) and Bishops Lydeard (return). This is because the presence of a WSR service train will prevent a loco change and run-round on arrival at BL. But I guess this could change, at the discretion of the WSR Line Controller (who is not me on Tuesday!).

David