If you register, you can do a lot more. And become an active part of our growing community. You'll have access to hidden forums, and enjoy the ability of replying and starting conversations.

VT Oxford 175 Trips: 15/06/19

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by free2grice, May 19, 2019.

  1. free2grice

    free2grice Part of the furniture Friend

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2005
    Messages:
    5,271
    Likes Received:
    2,641
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired Rolls-Royce engineer
    Location:
    Bath Green Park / Mangotsfield
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Unless I've missed something along the way I thought that the reason for a diesel tagging along at the rear of any of Vintage Train railtours was because they're a new operating company. <BJ>
     
    acorb, Landshrew and CLN_WVR like this.
  2. David likes trains

    David likes trains Member

    Joined:
    May 31, 2014
    Messages:
    804
    Likes Received:
    3,317
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Colchester
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Think that is one reason, another is I understand its required for shunting at Oxford - stated by Ben before on another thread: https://www.national-preservation.c...-with-clun-castle.1318555/page-8#post-2390468
     
  3. Leviathan

    Leviathan New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2007
    Messages:
    110
    Likes Received:
    46
    Location:
    Cardiff
    @Ben has said on the 7029 to Llandudno thread that the Oxford 175 Luncheon circular on 15th June will not have the diesel in the consist, so on the strength of that assurance I have made a booking.
    Nick.
     
  4. gricerdon

    gricerdon Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2018
    Messages:
    1,560
    Likes Received:
    720
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Gricer and Grandad
    Location:
    Wallers Ash
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    The website states that the train from Birmingham will have diesel assistance which presumably is for the shunt moves at Oxford prior to the Circular. Anyone know what route the Circular will take?
     
  5. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2015
    Messages:
    6,046
    Likes Received:
    4,843
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Swanage
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    I think the only way of achieving this from Oxford ( as a non diesel assistance trip) is to take the GWML to Hanwell and go down the Greenford Branch. I could be totally wrong of course.

    "On our journey through the Chiltern hills, Clun Castle will be heard working hard up the famous Saunderton Bank incline between High Wycombe and Princes Risborough, then she will stretch her legs along the Chiltern mainline to Bicester before returning home to Oxford Parkway & Oxford"
     
  6. Leviathan

    Leviathan New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2007
    Messages:
    110
    Likes Received:
    46
    Location:
    Cardiff
    From the didcotoxfordgwr175.org website:

    Oxford 175 Luncheon Circular
    The Oxford 175 Luncheon Circular will depart Oxford Parkway thence Oxford, passing through Radley, Culham and Appleford towards Didcot. Leaving Didcot, a sprint along Brunel’s Billiard Table that is the Great Western Mainline, passing through Reading, Slough and Southall. Shortly after Southall, turning onto the Greenford curve that links the Chiltern and Great Western Mainlines. In days past, this was the route taken by the Paddington to Wolverhampton expresses, routinely hauled by Kings and - Clun Castle. Joining the Chiltern Mainline, the tour continues through the picturesque Chilterns, past High Wycombe and Princess Risborough towards Bicester. The Bicester chord and Gavray Junction take the tour through Bicester Village station and Islip, completing the circular railtour back at Oxford Parkway and Oxford.

    Nick
     
  7. Paul42

    Paul42 Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2006
    Messages:
    5,908
    Likes Received:
    3,780
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    East Grinstead
    Same here, and also since the Chester trip 8/6 advertised on emails sent out is not on the website.
     
  8. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

    Joined:
    May 30, 2009
    Messages:
    21,040
    Likes Received:
    20,701
    Location:
    1016
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    On the same basis - so no pressure then @Ben Vintage-Trains - I have also booked on the Luncheon Circular. Apart from the new track (Hanwell Junc to Drayton Green Junc - a very sad admission) there is also the rather more important reunion with 7029. I last travelled with Clun from Chester to Snow Hill via Wolverhampton (Low Level) so it's been a while!
     
  9. NathanP

    NathanP Member

    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2017
    Messages:
    687
    Likes Received:
    806
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Worcester
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    I've booked on the Luncheon Circular as well. I've never been on the section of track that links the Great Western and Chiltern mainlines so I can finally tick that one off. I imagine that the people who run the didcotoxfordgwr175.org website aren't aware that Flying Scotsman will also be on the line that day, heading back down to Paddington from Worcester via the Cotswold Line, so there will actually be two steam locos working the route on the anniversary.
    They don't mention that anywhere that I can see.
     
    Last edited: May 20, 2019
  10. jsm8b

    jsm8b Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2014
    Messages:
    2,889
    Likes Received:
    6,145
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Escapee from the corporate bear-pit
    Location:
    Shropshire
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Maybe they have chosen not to ?
     
  11. David likes trains

    David likes trains Member

    Joined:
    May 31, 2014
    Messages:
    804
    Likes Received:
    3,317
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Colchester
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    It is referenced here: http://didcotoxfordgwr175.org/line.html
    Strictly Scotsman won't be traversing the Oxford line and just passing through Didcot. Given recent events may be best to assume the times will be later...I really hope not but we will see.
     
  12. 1020 Shireman

    1020 Shireman Part of the furniture Friend

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2013
    Messages:
    2,832
    Likes Received:
    2,657
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Relaxingly retired
    Location:
    Deep in the country
    Got nearly 10 years to travel with and hopefully most will be as should be with no Class 47 in sight. Otherwise we wasted our £2k on shares in the CBS. Such is life...
     
  13. 1020 Shireman

    1020 Shireman Part of the furniture Friend

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2013
    Messages:
    2,832
    Likes Received:
    2,657
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Relaxingly retired
    Location:
    Deep in the country
    O
    On the website today:

    Oxford 175 Express with No: 7029 'Clun Castle' - Saturday 15th June


    [​IMG]

    The Didcot to Oxford branch line of the Great Western Railway opened in June 1844. On Saturday 15th June 2019 we’ll be celebrating its 175th anniversary.

    As a very special contribution to the 175th anniversary celebrations, Vintage Trains are running a railtour from Birmingham stations to Oxford and seperatly offering the Oxford 175 Luncheon Circular railtour from Oxford Parkway & Oxford (click for more details)

    This will be a very fitting visit of our flagship locomotive, no. 7029 'Clun Castle'.

    The Oxford 175 Express will depart Solihull for Oxford via Banbury, picking up along the way at Dorridge, Warwick Parkway and Banbury stations.

    We are offering Standard Class with the option to purchase in advance Bacon Rolls for the morning journet to Oxford and an Afternoon Tea hamper on the return.

    For more details on the Didcot to Oxford Railway 175th Anniversary celebrations, please visit:


    175 Celebrations Website

    [​IMG]

    Hauled by steam loco no. 7029 'Clun Castle' with diesel assistance.

    Not sure what a journet is but, sort of implies not diesel free doesn't it?
     
  14. Paul42

    Paul42 Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2006
    Messages:
    5,908
    Likes Received:
    3,780
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    East Grinstead
    It's the circular Oxford 175 Luncheon Circular which is diesel free states "Steam hauled throughout by No. 7029 'Clun Castle'"
     
  15. 1020 Shireman

    1020 Shireman Part of the furniture Friend

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2013
    Messages:
    2,832
    Likes Received:
    2,657
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Relaxingly retired
    Location:
    Deep in the country
    Apologies. Picked up the 175 Anniversary Train not the luncheon train.
     
  16. Leviathan

    Leviathan New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2007
    Messages:
    110
    Likes Received:
    46
    Location:
    Cardiff
    But that is the Oxford 175 Express, not the 175 Luncheon Circular which is being advertised as a separate tour and has no mention of diesel assistance (and confirmed by @Ben Vintage-Trains).

    Nick.

    Edit: I see you have now realised this is the case!
     
  17. Steamage

    Steamage Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2005
    Messages:
    4,736
    Likes Received:
    1,107
    Location:
    Oxford
    Maybe it's time to start a new thread for the Oxford trips on 15th June?
     
  18. MellishR

    MellishR Resident of Nat Pres Friend

    Joined:
    Apr 16, 2009
    Messages:
    8,045
    Likes Received:
    5,142
    I've done three of the four curves on the Greenford loop but not Hanwell Jn to Drayton Green Jn. That is a common route for turning moves from Southall but AFAIK very rare for passenger trains.
     
  19. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2005
    Messages:
    9,623
    Likes Received:
    8,261
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Alderan !
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    I presume the circular will return to oxford with the engine facing London ?

    That would imply either a turning move via didcot ? Or the return to Birmingham is anticipated to have a 47 at the head with 7029 on the tail
     
  20. dublo6231

    dublo6231 Member

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2011
    Messages:
    560
    Likes Received:
    414
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    IT
    Location:
    Sat at home
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Hello Sidmouth,

    If I’m reading the material correctly, I think that the return will be Diesel drag back only as far as Oxford Parkway and then Clun will be at the head of the train for the return to Birmingham.
    Or at least that’s my interpretation anyway!
    I’m sure VT could confirm that though.
     

Share This Page