RTC 2022

Indeed, we also had quite a lot of wrong-road running in the Taunton area.
I suspect it was a good opportunity for the signallers to have a play with the bi-directional signalling which I'm guessing wouldn't normally see much use.

RTC have now offered a discount on a future tour by e-mail, without needing prompting, which I'm satisfied with.

 

You're lucky. We got nothing after the 23rd July's WSE that was diesel hauled.

 

The only way a train leaving the WSR can be signalled by Exeter panel is to cross over both main lines at Norton Fitzwarren then via the down/up relief and platform 2 before rejoining the up main east of Taunton station, so if that's what you did, that's normal!

 

Thanks, I was aware that you couldn't go from the Down Main to the WSR and had to go through the relief, but didn't realise that it wasn't possible to join the Up Main either.

 

What’s the situation in terms of Sundays royal duchy?

 

I am booked on the tour - the tickets state the train "may" be diesel assisted at the request of the TOC or NR depending on fire risk policies at the time. I note there isn't a path in RTT for the diesel so I am guessing it'll be on the train all the way but any firm information would be welcome!

 

Duchess of Sutherland leaving Yatton this morning.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/16582147@N07/52300833085

The Class 47 wasn't doing a great deal of work as the train headed off to Devon and Cornwall.

 

Duchess of Sutherland at Bankland.
Diesel doing nothing.

 

Noticed D of S was carrying a floral tribute on front of smokebox.

 

Almost certainly in memory of WC retired footplate legend Frank Santrian

 

Taken from Facebook and posted by Declan Reilly alongside a pic of the Duchess last night, the wreath is in memory of John Balls a long term volunteer of the PRCLT, addition detail added to say he was one of the first patrons of the trust.
May he rest in peace.

 

Video of The Royal Duchy at Whiteball and Hemerdon on 21st August 2022.

Please excuse the quality of the sound, I’m still playing with settings for my new microphone.

The Royal Duchy with 46233 Duchess of Sutherland - YouTube

 

There's a big complaint essay about yesterday's Duchy over on the Rail UK forum: https://railforums.co.uk/threads/customer-service-west-coast-railways-style.236111/

Someone moaning that a WCR guard was physically manhandling and shouting at anyone standing by a window.

 

And a photo from yesterday, taken on my phone..........

20220821_173752-Mono by Hemerdon posted Aug 22, 2022 at 1:21 PM

 

I don't know what to say about yesterday. It was nice to hear steam working hard but the diesel pushed on every single section. I have to say NR signallers were brilliant, pathing us ahead of a delayed HST, pathing us through Dawlish Warren, holding the Bristol stopper at Taunton and the HST at Worle. Normally these sorts of things result in great opportunities for sparkling running by steam but yesterday we just got a shove up the rear from the 47. I fully understand why it was done and I have no criticism for anybody but I truly hope that RTC/WCR return to steam only RD as soon as the weather allows.

 

Think we're going into enforced 'steam hibernation' until next year. Can't envisage there being any proper steam in the foreseeable future. Down here in South East Wales the broadleaf trees are shedding their leaves bigtime and many others are turning autumnal. Even roadside bushes are shedding leaves. Official Leaf Fall season might come in September. No real sign of significant rain anywhere in England on medium range forecasts. Hope there are enough of the generation happy just to see a stream locomotive on the front of trains to fill them for the the tour promoters. Might have to retime some to give more time at destinations.

What another crap year. Don't think we're even going to manage 1,000 proper steam miles. Only the second time that's happened to us since 1985; and the first time was 2020 needless to say.

 

Sounds to me from reading that report, that as is not unusual in the brake pax (especially when it is next to the support coach) were blocking the gangway.
I can obviously not comment on the incident but have often found when trying to pass with a bag of rubbish from a rubbish run people do not want to move out of the way especially if they are recording. So over s day a guard trying to get to or from is office is going to get pretty tired of it. Cannot say my experience of WCRC guards is they only normally get involved if the stewards request it or have missed something.
Maybe instead of ranting on a forum they should have sought out the RTC Train Manager during the trip.
No idea if people were leaning out of the window but I remember just pre Covid two guys with raised goggles, and hence showing the only part of their face that was white, claiming they had not lent out the window all day. What people do and say are two totally different things.

 

Just watched the two week forecast from my favourite expert/nerd who compares five different weather models. I'd say weather in the north looks like average temperatures and some rain. Crops are now in, so I'm hoping the eight or so northern charters in the next month can happen unassisted as todays Pendle Dalesman did. I think the biggest risk up here is if the rain brings with it significantly early leaf fall.

 

That's a shame - I will miss reading your informative and entertaining reports of your trips! Quite understandable though - I don't go for mainline steam either unless it's real unassisted steam and sadly there isn't much of that left in the South these days, notwithstanding the weather conditions. All I can say is better luck next year! In the meantime I shall look for some Autumn galas for my steam fix.