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Cath Ex to Salisbury, Bath and Bristol 7/3/18

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by Paul42, Feb 27, 2019.

  1. AlexGWR1994

    AlexGWR1994 Member

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    My footage of Mayflower galloping along with the wind. Filmed at Grateley and Bapton. Enjoy.
     
    Mick45305, Where's Mazeppa? and acorb like this.
  2. garth manor

    garth manor Well-Known Member

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    Excellent work at Bapton, pity about the sun at Grateley.
     
  3. acorb

    acorb Part of the furniture

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    Has to be said that B1 looks and sounds immaculate - very welcome return to the mainline.
     
  4. mrKnowwun

    mrKnowwun Part of the furniture

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  5. steamvideosnet

    steamvideosnet Well-Known Member

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    61306 approaches the summit of Upton Scudamore bank. Mayflower is not my favourite machine, but I can't dispute it can make some serious noise...

    34072 and 61306.002.jpg

    James
     
  6. pwsw5054

    pwsw5054 Member

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    Slowing for a TSR at Avoncliff and in the sun at the start of the climb to Upton Scudamore

    Sent from my SM-A530F using Tapatalk
     
  7. Michelliss

    Michelliss New Member

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    Approaching Overton, and the climb up Old Dilton and Upton Scudamore
     
  8. 1020 Shireman

    1020 Shireman Part of the furniture Friend

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    As it was 61306 Mayflower's first solo run since overhaul I thought a Southern Fan or regular SD customer would put a report in. No-one has so:

    CathEx to Bristol, 7th March 2019

    Made a late booking on this train mainly as it was turning into a 'steam free' week as the Cotswold Explorer had been cancelled. It's a real drag for us in South Wales to get to trains like this on weekdays. Car Parks are too small and full by 0730 at both Newport and Bristol Temple Meads. Fares are extortionate on any other than the first trains, the 0445 off BTM and 0509 off NWP. The BTM start gives us more flexibility to get home, so up at 0215 to drive to BTM. We had to travel on a 10-car 800, the most uncomfortable and noisy long distance trains we've ever had on the network.

    Got to Pad at 0622; then Circle Line to Victoria and a short walk to the Willow Walk for a Wetherspoons large breakfast. We wandered onto the station to find 61306 with 10 coaches behind. The diesel was off with its headlights on. We were in Coach J, behind the support coach on the outward, so tail end charlies for the climb of Upton Scudamore on the return. We were told that after the announcement it would be a 61306 solo day out there had been a spate of late bookings like ours. Standard Class was full; the tables in the First Compartments were fully laid out as were all tables in Dining Tables. Our seats weren't on the milepost side; no spare seats to change to; no lingering in the vestibules; and worse, the middle vestibules have tables with coffee flasks etc on so can't use them to stand and time the posts. So it was a reliance on the GPS. Shame about the restrictions but if it's what it takes to keep steam on the mainline, sobeit.

    Spike Hodges was up front - good to see him fit and well after his hip replacement last summer. It was his first turn driving a B1. Chris Yates was his fireman. Spike took 45212 over the same route on 3rd May 2018 and I've referred to that run in this missive with 45212's speeds in brackets where worth comparing. This is a good route for an engine on its maiden solo run after overhaul as it is relatively undemanding apart from the climb of Upton Scudamore on the return.

    Off RT and banked quite hard out of the station to 19 mph in less than a 1/4 mile. Then we felt the diesel back off and speed fell rapidly to 7 mph as 61306 took the weight. The sound from the front reverberated around Battersea as Spike eased the little engine up to Longhenge Jn, passed at 14. The suburbs are hardly conducive to exciting running. Station speeds were Clapham Jn 23.3; Wandsworth Town 32.4; Putney 39.8 and going well - so the brakes came in hard!. Down to 4 mph at 5 1/2 miles out. Spike made a sharp recovery to pass Barnes at 15; Chiswick at 38; Kew Bridge at 43; and Brentford at 42. The little engine sounded in fine fettle as we found out on the double header up north. We crossed Feltham Jn at 19, then speed rose quickly and noisily to 52.6 through Ashford before the brakes came on for Staines. It was not a pickup but we only got back to 35.5 before Spike eased the train for the pick up at Egham. As always the 21 mile run through the suburbs had an exciting moving average speed just below 25 mph!!

    Nice noisy departure. Got to almost 30 before we braked to 16 through Virginia Water. Nice and noisy as we got to 38, 3 miles out. We slowed through Chertsey, 20, but then had a noisy section to pass Addlestone at 40; did 38.2 across the junctions, and 36.6 through Byfleet and New Haw; but then we were checked to 14 on the 1in387 through West Byfleet. Up until then 61306 was close to the performance of 45212 last May. We trundles into Woking for the pickup there.

    We set off briskly and with plenty of noise off the chimney up the climb to Brookwood and on to the summit; only 1in320ish climb. We crossed Woking Junction at 22(26) and over the next mile onto the 1in314 got to 37 before being eased through Brookwood at 16(30). Don't know if Spike braked a bit hard as the restriction is 30 I believe. Once clear of the station Spike had 61306 notched up nicely as we climbed the last mile or so at 1in298 to cross Pirbright Jn at 33(45) with a minimum at the summit of 32.5(47.5). Onto the level, speed rose to 38(55) but then we were held at a signal for a couple of minutes. We ran through Farnborough at 30(30) and hit a max of only 38(54) before we braked for our water stop at Winchfield.

    We had a bit of trouble getting away as the engine was caught at top dead centre. Spike finally rolled 61306 back a little and we got away rather slowly. We climbed the rather gentle grade to pass Hook at 35(47). Our max was only 44(47) and speed fell to 38 up the 1in249 before slowing on Basingstoke approach. We were 11 late at our Basingstoke pickup. We left 11 late with 3 miles of 1in249 to tackle before the downhill run to Andover and beyond. A noisy climb but we only passed Battledown at just under 30(47). We expected a fast run down the bank as 61306 is a 75 mph rated locomotive, unlike the Black 5's 60. We passed through Overton at 51(59); Whitchurch at 58(58) and hit a max of 71(60). We passed through Andover at 68(60) and only dropped to 60(56) up the 2 miles of 1in220 to Red Post.

    So onto what is usually a highlight, the climb to and through Grateley. We shot down the mile of 1in330 to take 66(56) onto the climb. It's 4 1/2 miles long; 2 miles of 1in264 followed by 2 1/2 miles of 1in165. I must admit to being a bit surprised at the fall in speed. We lost 9 mph on the first mile; another 9mph on the second and took 48(52) onto the 1in165. Despite a noisy climb speed had fallen to 35.8(51) through Grateley and further to a minimum of 33.3(51) at the summit. Way off the superb climb 45212 made last year. RTT showed there wasn't a service train close in front so it was all down to the locomotive on the day. We ran downgrade faster than 45212, with a max of 70.6(60), but we'd lost a further 2 minutes and were 13 down into Salisbury for a pickup/set down and water stop.

    We were ready to leave early and hopefully make up a bit of time; but as last year, we were held to allow a very late running Brighton to Great Malvern service to leave first. It was a stopper on our route but the climb away from Wilton behind steam would ensure it was well clear. Bill Monteith took over from Spike as he did last year. Chris remained on the shovel. We left 14 down and slipped once. Bill recovered it well and 61306 sounded good as we made steady progress up the 1/4 mile of 1in183. We got to 13.6 as the grade steepened to 3/4 mile of 1in115, topped at just over 17(24). Onto the level, then downhill to pass Wilton Jn at 32.8(37). The run to Warminster is over mainly gently undulating grades though there are a few short sharp climbs, albeit with downhill approaches.

    Not rapid acceleration we only got to 45(53) a mile after the junction. Speed fell quickly to a minimum of 36(44) on the short 1in93 to Wishford. On the 1in198 from mp7 1/2 to 8 1/2, speed remained steady around 49(50/47). From mp13 1/2 there's 2 miles+ of climbing, four quarters with changing gradients: 1in673/492/111/153, but the approach is over a mile down a 1in228. We met the climb at 57(50) and left it at 37(43). A higher loss than expected. There's a final mile at 1in104 towards Warminster where speed fell from 40(45) to 34(42). We eased through Warminster at 20(36) and then it's all downhill to Westbury, 38(24). The Brighton-Gt. Malvern service had been terminated at Westbury but we had a Weymouth-Gloucester stopper 10 mins or so in front of us.

    We crossed Hawkeridge Jn at 41 and speed picked up to 58 downgrade. We slowed around the curve to pass Trowbridge at 45(43). We were only 7 mins behind the service train and were checked at Bradford Jn, speed down to 11.4. Bill soon got 61306 away over the gently undulating track, and on the downgrade we passed Bradford-on-Avon at 48(50). Bill braked and we rolled through Avoncliff at 26(49); then picked up to 29(43) on the gentle climb to Freshford. We were 9mins behind the service train so had an unimpeded run across Bathampton Jn, 45(38) onto the mainline. We ran in the high 40s before braking for our set down at Bath Spa, now 20 down.

    There's an unofficial 'get to the locomotive's top speed' challenge on the 1in1320 down and level track between Bath Spa and Foxes' Hill Tunnel, a couple of miles from Temple Meads. For the B1 its 75. Might be possible with load 10. We slipped on the tight right hander out from the station, then Bill got us away well. We passed through Oldfield Park, a mile out, at 38(38); dived into Twerton Tunnel, 2 miles out, at 45(43); Saltford Tunnel, 4 miles out, at 55(55); passed mp113, 6 miles out, at 59(59); Keynsham.59(58), and a max of 59.6 just before mp114, 7miles out, only a shade faster than 45212. The B1 ran into Foxes' Wood Tunnel, mp115 1/2, at 50(38 eased) and drifted across the junctions into P11 at BTM 20 late.

    We were joined by our young railway journalist friend Dan at the Knights Templar for lunch. Good to meet up again after quite a while. Old Buzzard was on and was excellent. Mrs S and I tried the new Salmon and Haddock fishcakes. They were really rather good. The time flew by and all too soon we wandered off just in time to watch the B1 bring the train into P7.

    We left 2 late with the same crew up front. The max speed challenge is on eastbound too though it's up the gentle 1in1320. We passed mp118 at 17(21); mp117 at 38(31), and into St Anne's Tunnel at 42(43). Anything over 40 is good. Bill was getting the B1 wound up nicely and we roared into Foxes' Hill Tunnel at 46(42). By mp115 speed had risen to 56(52), held through Keynsham (57). Over the next mile or so the B1 picked up to a very decent max of 66(57) before Twerton Tunnel. Time from BTM to Bath Spa was a decent 16m 53.4s.

    From the back of the train we watched the engine worked around the tight left hand curve. No fireworks, just running at 41(41) on the approach to and across Bathampton Junction. On pretty much level track we blasted under Dundas Aqueduct at 59.5(59); passed the lovely old Limpley Stoke Station on the right on the old branch at 57, and accelerated very noisily up the 1in250ish to Freshford, 62(55). We lost speed up the 1/2 mile of 1in115 through Bradford-on-Avon, 56.5(51) and ran on to Bradford Jn in the mid 40s, as did 45212. We ran through Trowbridge at 39(44) and up the few miles of 1in200ish we crossed Yarnbrook Viaduct at 35(41) and attacked the mile of 1in120 at 31(39). No fun on this climb as we always have to slow for Westbury. Bill kept 61306 rolling at 5 mph to try to avoid coming to a stand at Westbury Home.

    We were lucky to get a green and accelerated through Westbury at 16.2(5), and crossed the junction at 20.7(7). We could hear the engine from the back of the train as Bill attacked the climb of Upton Scudamore. We hit the 3/4 mile 1in76 at 25.2(12) and Bill produced a good steady climb from the B1. Not as noisy as 45212, but 61306 sounded superb as it forged up onto the slightly steeper mile of 1in75 at 24.4(20). We passed Dilton Marsh Halt at 24.8(20.8) before the steeper final mile at 1in70 to the top of the bank took its toll and our speed fell to a minimum of 21.5(22). An interesting climb that showed a B1 doesn't have as much 'grunt' as a Black 5.

    Speed rose rapidly to 43(44) before we eased for Warminster, 35(37), and then made good use of the downgrades to pass Wylye at 70(61). The B1 ran along the undulating tracks; no sharp grades on the eastbound run. We ran in the high 60s or low 70s, with a max of 73(62) around MP124 and we arrived RT into Salisbury for our final pick up and to take water. It was dark and it had been a long day for Mrs S, so we decided we'd leave the train at Basingstoke.

    We left RT after watering. It was a decent departure and we roared into Fisherton Tunnel at 33(29). We didn't pick up as quickly as 45212 had and crossed Laverstock Nth Jn at 38(46). Not a great speed to take onto the eastbound climb to Grateley. The B1 more or less held its own around 37 up the 2 1/2 mile+ 1in169. We took 35.3(50) onto the mile and a bit of 1in140. Unlike 45212 we lost speed, down to 32.4 but recovered to leave the section at 38(53). Over the next 2 miles of 1in735 we rallied to 43(56) and again up the final mile of 1in400 to a summit speed of close to 45(54). Interesting characteristics of a climb that.

    We blasted through Grateley at 54(57) and hit a max of 69(60) down the 1in165; dropped back to 64(55) up the mile of 1in330 to Red Post, then shot down the bank to pass Andover at 68(a bit over 60). We attacked the 3 miles of 1in178 at 60ish and hit the summit at 52(54). The B1 went well and we got to 60 on the level and only lost 3 mph to the mile and a half of 1in794. We passed Whitchurch at 57(56) and on the gentle 1in350ish only lost a little to dash through Overton at 54(59). 2 miles further on at the top of the 1in350 speed was down to 45.5(57). We passed through Battledown at 50(58) and drifted down into P4 at Basingstoke 5 late. As we left on the unit for Reading it was good to hear 61306's noisy right time departure.

    We got the 2027 800 10 car set back in Bristol by 2143, home at 2235; and yes folks, the seats are way more uncomfortable than a Mk2 Standard Class seat, even the one I had that was in dire need of replacement. At least there was some cushioning to sink into.

    So, worth the early morning for 61306's first solo run on her new ticket. We'll certainly do more tours with Steam Dreams if they are diesel free. The B1 is an interesting locomotive. Definitely doesn't have the grunt of a Black 5 but it's 75 max helps it to pick up speed on level and downgrade sections. To me 10 is a well balanced load as was shown today and in previous years. Glad to see such a well booked train. I'll be interested to see what solution David Buck comes up with when loadings warrant a 12 coach train as they often do. He dislikes intrusive diesels and has talked about double heading with a Black 5; but that drops you back into 60 mph maximum territory.

    Thanks to; David and his support team for turning the B1 in superb condition and to the stewards and catering folk for their usual professionalism ontrain; to WCR for their excellent crews - don't know if there was a crew change at Salisbury on the return but whoever was on got the train back to Victoria RT; and to NR for allowing steam hauled trains out on the network on a busy weekday.
     
  9. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    I stand corrected but I think that the B1 is now limited to 70.
     
  10. gricerdon

    gricerdon Well-Known Member

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    Good report thanks. 61306 is limited to 70. If I had been on this I would have been a bit disappointed for a class 5 performance. But I hope it can do better and Steams Dreams keep to 10 DL free for the on 4th May. If so
     
  11. gricerdon

    gricerdon Well-Known Member

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  12. gricerdon

    gricerdon Well-Known Member

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    If so I will book
     
  13. free2grice

    free2grice Part of the furniture Friend

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    As 1020 Shireman has already mentioned this is an engine on its maiden solo run after overhaul. Best not to push the loco too hard at this stage.

    I was really impressed with the loud bark of the engine when I filmed it departing from Bristol. I'm looking forward to riding behind it in the near future.

    Thanks to 1020 Shireman for the excellent report. A pleasure to read. <BJ>
     
  14. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    I'm curious about that statement: do the extra passengers from two coaches pay for an additional loco? If not, surely you'd be better just sticking to selling out ten coaches (or even putting the prices up) than adding two more coaches and an additional loco and making less overall in the process...

    Tom
     
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  15. gricerdon

    gricerdon Well-Known Member

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    Yes I am sure it is capable of more
     
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  16. gricerdon

    gricerdon Well-Known Member

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    Yes absolutely agree
     
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  17. 1020 Shireman

    1020 Shireman Part of the furniture Friend

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    The owner's description in the brochure states it can operate at 75mph. Pretty sure the in cab notice still says 75. Not quite for this thread, but does anyone from a locomotive support group know if the 2017 revisions have been adopted? Wouldn't swear to it but thought No.9 still had 75 not 80 in the cab in Worcester.
     
  18. CLN_WVR

    CLN_WVR Member

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    Some images from near Virginia Water and Winchfield

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  19. Dunkirk21

    Dunkirk21 New Member

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    The fireman from BTM was Craig Stinchcome
     
  20. Adam-Box

    Adam-Box Member

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    Out of curiosity, why do specials run from Clapham Junction to Woking the long way round, instead of along the mainline, are there no paths that way even in the off peak?
     

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