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Saphos Trains

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by JBTEvans, Oct 30, 2020.

  1. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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    Certainly stands out on the front.
     
  2. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    gets worse . seems to be sat at Cynghordy ,RTT not updated since 5pm so two hours or so late
     
  3. staffordian

    staffordian Well-Known Member

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    Seems to be moving now. Wonder if they've managed to persuade it to restart or if it's a rescue of some sort?
     
  4. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    persuaded to restart I believe , 43058 being the troublesome car
     
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  5. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Looks like a long and difficult way home from Stockport for those who wanted to go further. It seems the train terminated here late last night.
     
  6. pjhliners

    pjhliners Member Friend

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    Coaches were provided from Crewe (arr 2235) for those headed for points north. A fuller account of the day will appear later

    Peter on a warm and sunny morning in Manchester
    https://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com
     
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  7. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    re routed to Piccadilly and then Taxi home from there
     
  8. 60017

    60017 Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    Wondering if yesterdays 'difficulties' will impact on the debut of the 'Staycation Express' season tommorow?
     
  9. wcmlbls1846

    wcmlbls1846 Well-Known Member

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    No. HST ran to Carlisle this afternoon (Sun) with 43058 T&T 43059. AN
     
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  10. 60017

    60017 Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    Thanks for that ! :)
     
  11. pjhliners

    pjhliners Member Friend

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    Midland Pullman does Wales 17 July 2021

    I have been a follower and admirer of the High Speed Diesel Train / InterCity 125 / HST since its inception in the early 1970s. Now they have disappeared from long distance express services, the HSTs are beginning to acquire for me the status of other non-steam transport icons, like the Deltics, the Routemaster bus and Queen Elizabeth 2. So any new incarnation of the HST has to be followed up, and the reincarnation of the striking blue and white Midland Pullman is an outstanding example.

    It is unashamedly a luxury service with prices to match. Also, in these Covid times, one had to book a minimum of two seats, so I nominated Mr John Smith. Then I had to find someone who would answer to that name and pick up a large slice of the cost: luckily this was successful. The itinerary chosen was the Heart of Wales Pullman, which from various North West destinations would head down through the Marches to Newport and Cardiff, then head on almost to Llanelli before turning back north over the remarkable Central Wales line to Craven Arms.

    We arrived at Crewe in warm sunny weather, but our first surprise came as the train pulled in: not a bright blue and white power car but one in dark green and silver. This was about to start on the Staycation Express over the Settle and Carlisle line but had clearly been a last minute substitution for today’s run. The rest of the train was as advertised and we were soon settled in our ex GWR first class seats (two on a table of four) and supplied with tea and coffee by a small army of young and charming liveried stewards.

    We set off on time towards Shrewsbury and on south through the Marches. Performance was not going to be an issue along this stretch so I sat back and enjoyed the scenery and my breakfast. Speeds were in the 50s, 60s and 70s regardless of terrain: we were over Llanfihangel before I had noticed! I had hoped we might have a burnup along from Newport to Cardiff but we never hit three figures. Cardiff station was bristling with young people out for the day, and red-shirted rugby fans headed for Wales v Argentina in the Principality Stadium next door.

    With the sun still shining we set off west again, past the industrial desolation on the coast then turning off at Briton Ferry to head through the hills and pick up our return route at Pontarddulais. The single line was often in a green tunnel but Network Rail must have had the strimmer out as our beautiful glossy paintwork was barely touched by vegetation. On through Llandeilo and Llandovery and we began the climb up to the Sugar Loaf. We had become used to frequent stops for the RETB signalling, but noticed after a while that we had been a long time at Cynghordy. Looking out of the window I could hear the rear power car purring away (the air con worked perfectly all through this hot day) but the front power car was silent, and staff were fussing to and fro around it. This continued for over an hour until the train manager advised that the power car wouldn’t restart, the engineers would continue their efforts, but just in case, a relief loco was on its way from Crewe. Three and a half hours away! I will spare you an account of the thoughts that were thought and shared in our carriage, but the cool kids continued with the meal service as if they hadn’t noticed a problem. Finally, after two and a half hours, we were under way again and blasted up to Sugar Loaf summit as if nothing had happened. Apparently the power car had ‘just started again’! The scenery was still beautiful and the sun was starting to set as we headed on past the spa town of Llandrindod. Reaching Craven Arms at dusk, we were back on the main line and we could now believe we would get home before dawn!

    We had hoped the HST would show us some speed up the main line but it was not to be – it was 50s 60s and a few 70s again. But we regained a few minutes to Crewe and I was home by midnight.

    A beautiful train, very good food, and excellent service from the team whilst riding through some of the prettiest parts of Wales and the Borders would have made for a perfect day out. Shame about the uncertainty we had to tolerate for nearly three hours!

    7 photos are at https://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com/p820534390

    Peter on another lovely summer’s day in Manchester
    https://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com
     
  12. GWR4707

    GWR4707 Nat Pres stalwart

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    Obviously nothing too much up with the errant power car as it tootled up to Carlisle back on the Staycation set (don't get me started on that!) yesterday and is working the service today.
     
  13. NathanP

    NathanP Member

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  14. 60017

    60017 Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    'Staycation Express' this morning @ Helwith Bridge.

    I09A2580.jpg IMG_0141.jpg
     
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  15. pw37906

    pw37906 New Member

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    Does anyone know what is working the Crewe to to SVR trip this morning. I see from rtt it has left Crewe on time?
     
  16. Kje7812

    Kje7812 Part of the furniture

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    45231 but there's a 47 coupled inside.
     
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  17. pw37906

    pw37906 New Member

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    Thanks for the info.
     
  18. 1020 Shireman

    1020 Shireman Part of the furniture Friend

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    That's the usual 'fire risk' position for the diesel. Anyone know what the network status is region by region?
     
  19. pw37906

    pw37906 New Member

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    45231 with 47 just past Wolverhampton.
     
  20. jsm8b

    jsm8b Part of the furniture

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    The battle between the sun and morning mist in Shropshire is well underway as the train passed Walcot this morning.
    I had expected the diesel on the back as usual not having seen the message above before leave home.
    Nice to not have to go far from home today though.


    21D_0819 45231 & class 47 Walcot 210721.jpg 21D_0824 45231 & class 47 Walcot 210721.jpg
     
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