Clan Line 2022

6233 is the only DBC registered loco available. It is also the only DBC registered loco currently in service unless 46100, 70000 & 34046 are still DBC registered for emergency circumstances that I’m not aware of.

 

Class 67s seem to do okay with it.

 

Couple of oddities on RTT.
Could be the British Pullman to and from Bath/Bristol.
The route seems right but the loadings are not heavy enough for the Pullmans. The timings are about right, but no provision for a water stop on the down run:

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U66467/2022-09-14/detailed
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U66471/2022-09-14/detailed

 

Isn’t Bracknell stop for water?

 

25 minutes between Wantage Road and Challow outward, only 6 minutes on the return.

 

20 minutes at Milton on the return.
25 minutes between Wantage and Challow outward but unusual for RTT not to show it as a water stop.

 

I wouldn’t have thought so. Too early. Only an hour from Victoria. As @Paul42 has indicated there is a significant time gap between Wantage and Challow for a water stop.

 

I believe that's normally for the crew to pull coal forward before going under the wires.

 

Bracknell is for pulling coal forward as it obviously can’t be done under the wires. The normal water stop is Challow loop. I don’t know if this will be altered with a splash and dash at Bracknell as the Duchess doesn’t have the water capacity of a MN and won’t need the coal to be pulled forward. The normal water stop on the way back is Milton Junction. On this occasion there’s an additional at Reading Spur Junction but I can’t see that being for watering purposes

 

That’s correct but not necessary on the Duchess that has a steam coal pusher

 

Also of interest is https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U66473/2022-09-14/detailed

 

That’s a bit odd, I thought the diesel stayed on the back for the turning move at Bristol

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...2022-09-14/0600-2000?stp=S&show=all&order=wtt

 

I don't think that's unusual for DBC operated trains (usually the Pullman). WCRC may do something different.

 

Won't this be the first (and potentially only with leaf fall season on the way) "diesel free" steam hauled Belmond of the year? All other runs have had it at the back as a dead weight for ETH as the generator car has been out of action.

 

Diesel assistance will still be needed at Bristol, I can’t see all those reversing movements to turn

 

Turning movement is 0Z59 1259 Bristol TM - North Somerset Jn - Lawrence Hill - Bristol TM. Stock is left in platform 11 until 1350 to East Depot and 1551 return. No diesel conveyed or needed.
Cheers, Neil

 

No diesel as mentioned

 

Thanks Neil, I should have worked that out for myself!

 

And here it is, 1 Mk1, 11 Pullmans, and the Genny car, up the bank at Stroud Green into Virginia Water. A strong surefooted performance.

 

Saw her at Uffington but instead of accelerating hard she crawled past a couple of minutes down, and has subsequently lost time - reason unknown