Cathedrals Express to the WSR 21/08/18

Steam Dreams' website is showing A4 60009 to haul this train as Mayflower is not yet available.

Times are on RTT:
Outward (from London Victoria) - http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55290/2018/08/21/advanced
Return - http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55291/2018/08/21/advanced

There are corresponding light engine movements to / from London Victoria. The outward seems to have water stops at Newbury Racecourse and Frome, but nothing obvious on the retun (10 mins at both Woodborough Up Goods Loop and Ascot). There is not much time allowed for a loco swap at Bishops Lydeard on the retun. Would 60009 be turned on the triangle and couple to the rear of the train to be taken to Minehead on the outward? Anyhow, IF the return is steam hauled it would appear that the Eastbound steam locomotive prohibition on the Berks and Hants has been lifted.

Cheers!
-SC-

 

Seems an odd path (WSR times are wrong anyway) - 60009 on Sat 18th takes a more realistic path on its way back up the B&H (so yes it looks as though the restriction has been eased for 60009 at least - although it is subject to a 20mph restriction through Aldermaston platform).
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55280/2018/08/18/advanced

The A4 would not go beyond Bishops Lydeard on the WSR.

 

On Monday, on the West Somerset Steam Express 18/08/18 thread

Any guesses as to whether that will have changed by Tuesday?

 

It appears from the Network Rail route map that the South Western suburban routes are part of Wessex.

 

It will need some slick work from all concerned to even achieve that I reckon (and all the WSR service trains running on time as well!)

 

WSR timetable recast to accommodate the charter,

https://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/timetables/view/32

 

WSR timings for Tuesday's charter to Minehead (ignore RTT WSR version):

B/Lydeard a. 13.45
d. 14.10 (53808)
Minehead a. 15.25
d. 16.30
B/Lydeard a. 17.43
d. 18.10 (60009)

 

Anyone know if the Wessex zone prohibition of unassisted steam is still in place as it would impact on this and the DCE on Thursday.

 

As of today, all Routes currently declaring fire-risk as 'Low', so normal steam operations resumed.

JS

 

Many thanks for the update James.

 

60009 did almost the same tour to WSR on Saturday without a diesel (on either end)

 

I know Colin but that tour was all GW zone, today's first part is Wessex zone as far as Reading hence my question.

 

Mr Shuttleworth says on another thread, can't remember which, that the fire risk conditions are now low throughout the country.

Edit --- bangs head--- see post #12 on this thread.

 

Here she is either side of Reading.
Firstly between Earley and Reading, bit gloomy in the trees...

Then passing through Reading West after departing from the stop at Reading, catching a little sunny interlude

 

A lot of confusion on the return times, UKSteam seem to "lose" an hour between Bedwyn & Newbury.
More to the point UKSteam shows a 15 min water stop at Theale, RTT shows it as passing straight through half hour after UKSteam (whose times are an hour behind RTT).
Who do you believe?

 

try the primary source -- http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55291/2018/08/21/advanced -- looks like a transcription error.

 

Certainly a day on a train rather than a day to somewhere by train. Loco change outside BL so the passengers could not even have a leg stretch, photo opportunity or shop visit on top of only 65 minutes at MD. May be fine for the enthusiast community, but probably not what many thought they would get when expecting a day out by steam train to the seaside I guess.