Saphos Trains 2018

Braunton.

 

Or even Lord Dowding:

 

Thanks for putting that up, always good to refer to something official and nice touch from Saphos encouraging folk to take a look at the free spectacle.

 

Although departing Crewe 5 minutes late, and extending that to 10 minutes late at Wrenbury, the train was reported 1 minute early approaching Shrewsbury and left on time (according to RTT).
Seen here climbing away from Bayston Hill.

 

Two-tone green 47, and I don't recall it drawing attention to itself, so it certainly wasn't "working" as it came past.
...Although at that point the train was running to time.

 

The preceding Maesteg train was barely out of platform 7 when the WME arrived at 09:19. The Abbey clock tells of the right time departure from Shrewsbury at 09:25.

 

An early arrival at Shrewsbury turned into a late departure, seen here pulling away from Hadnall.

 

My first Saphos experience yesterday. I was in first class having thought (correctly) that £25 premium was worth paying and (incorrectly) that the firsts might be mark 1s. I had a good walk through the train and leaving aside the Mk1/2 question, the coaching stock definitely sets a high standard and we were plied with tea, coffee, pastries and muffins. The atmosphere was relaxed and there was no problem standing next to an open window for those who wanted to listen to the Bulleid music on the uphill sections.

I won't go into detail on the running. We were 7 late into Cardiff going down because the water stop at Hereford overran by 7 mins. We were 10 late at Crewe coming back because the unit which overtook us at Sutton Bridge Jn was 8 late. In terms of train running, the train was timed nicely. So, southbound 59 mins for the 51 miles Shrewsbury to Hereford, 48 mins for the 43 miles Hereford to Newport, then 54 mins start to stop Newport to Hereford and with a very slow start out of Hereford, 55 mins for the 48 miles from Shelwick Jn to Sutton Bridge Jn. Load 10 plus the diesel. 50mph average running on a fairly demanding route.

So what does that mean? The purists will say---nothing whatever. I'd say this run fell into the category of the diesel doing the bare minimum so this represents the loco hauling 10 coaches most of the way. We did not roar out of any station in some turbocharged way. We had an hour at Hereford on the way back and I had a good chat with one or two of the crew. It was clear they wanted to give the loco a proper test and the northbound diesel driver Mr Wylie said that he switched it off completely at Abergavenny. When we got on the uphill section to the summit you could sense the speed drop, probably to around the mid 30s and hear the engine note sharpen. The same happened on the Church Stretton section. So I think it was a good strong performance by 340xx and her crews --- Pete Sheridan and Vince Henderson southbound with Gareth Jones TI and (subject to stupid coffee stains on my piece of paper) Fred Lewis and Ian Walker northbound with TI Bob Hart. To me it was a proper steam experience --- and I have experienced show pony fire risk conditions, it was nothing like that.

Other news--- Saphos are happy with how the season has gone and are planning a slightly bigger programme for next year. Britannia is being reassembled over the summer and tested in the autumn and there will be a special welcome back tour to be announced. I guess it would then be logical that all being well Britannia might do the two December trips.

The only thing I'd say is that if they are really going to double the fares next year, they will need to change the balance between standard and first. There was only one standard class coach on the train yesterday.

A very good day out, thanks the train manager Steve Finn and all his staff.

 

Good day out, enjoyed the trip immensely - Pete/Stuart please get in touch via PM if you read this. Slight shame about the mk2 masking the sound from the loco on the return but she sounded terrific stood not far from a window on the ascent of Llanvihangel.
Pleased to see that Saphos have released an update on the Facebook page to say that Bob is recovering well, when something like that happens it puts life into perspective.
Thank you to Saphos, all of the crew and support staff for a marvellous day out.

 

Why don't you go into detail? No-one does on these trains. We'd have a far better chance of looking at the claims of zero or minimum diesel use on this route in particular if someone posted the speeds on the banks. Some of the point to point times look really suspicious if not impossible for a Class 7 with load 13+.

 

If you read it, it says he got it from the horses mouth at the back. Confirmed by quite a few on the train that the diesel was only ever at a maximum of 'on' and was switched off for the good stuff. So like has been said she took 10 virtually everywhere and (equiv) 14 up the hills.

Don't remember any doubt when the Pride of Swindon was worked in exactly the same way from Carlisle South behind 5043 and 47 'on'. Surely there must be some footage of the banks showing the proof??

edit, found this.

 

Anyone know why LSL TOC has disappeared from the drop-down menu on RTT?

 

Perhaps it's a software adjustment so they are treated and displayed the same as DB Cargo , GBRf and other operators who hold passenger licences, but are not franchise or open access operators.
If you look at the list on RTT they are all TOC's running franchises or are open access operators.

Cheers, Neil

 

It was there this morning, equally possible a software release which has reverted something to an earlier version.

 

Hi ---- 1. I haven't got the kit, 2. I don't know the route, 3. My idea of fun is to note some passing times in case RTT goes on the blink, have a good chinwag, look out of the window at some unfamiliar scenery, stand by a window going up the hills and listen. I really admire the professionalism of those following in the footsteps of Don Benn and co, and enjoy reading their stuff but I don't aspire to join the ranks.

Southbound, Sutton Bridge to Church Stretton, 16 mins, booked 15. Hereford to Tram Inn 10 mins booked 9. Northbound Maindee West to Cwmbran 10 (booked 13) Cwmbran to Abergavenny 13 (booked 15) Abergavenny to Pontrilas 12 booked 15 , Craven Arms to Church Stretton 11, booked 9. I presume the downhill stretches are of no great performance interest.

I am a professional sceptic by trade but on this occasion I believe, as @The Citadel says, that what we experienced in general was a West Country pulling 10 and sometimes 13 with the sort of speed drop off that would imply. None of the starts from stations were suspicious ; generally we lost a minute or two to the first timing point after a station.

Very relieved to read @dublo6231 post and I'm sure we all send Mr Hart our best wishes for a speedy recovery.

 

Would anyone know the traction for Sunday’s south west tour please.

 

34052 , 46100 is off to the Worth Valley, both moving on Friday.

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/sea...18/06/22/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt

 

Oh that’s grand. 2nd Bulleid down here in short time.

Would there be a 47 on the back, I have a special thing for two tone green 47s....