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Saphos 2022

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by D1002, Jan 6, 2022.

  1. NathanP

    NathanP Member

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    Currently at water stop in Oxford. Really good running so far. It's really weird being the only train running. Stations are only being opened for us, and are closed rest of the day. 2 vintage planes, 1 of them a bi-plane, were flying parallel to us for many miles, presumably from the airfield at Heyford. Hope they were filming us, footage would be stunning.
     
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  2. LMarsh1987

    LMarsh1987 Part of the furniture Friend

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    No Challow stop ?
     
  3. NathanP

    NathanP Member

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    70000 at Swindon. No need for the pathing stop at Challow, so have stopped here for photos instead.
     

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  4. simon neate

    simon neate New Member

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    Are you waiting for you scheduled time or will they let you go earlier??
     
  5. free2grice

    free2grice Part of the furniture Friend

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    70000 Britannia through Oldfield Park, Bath on time.

    Many thanks to the driver of the slow moving Southampton bound freightliner for stopping his train short of the station to allow the many steam fans the opportunity to watch Britannia pass. Otherwise it would have been a disaster. [BJ]
     
  6. LMarsh1987

    LMarsh1987 Part of the furniture Friend

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    Saw that head your way from our vantage point at Twerton. That would be gutting considering the lack of trains across the network. We was at Banbury and it was blissfully dead.
     
  7. NathanP

    NathanP Member

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    At BTM ready for return trip. Whole train has been turned.
     

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  8. 46240

    46240 New Member

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    Claydon this morning
    EF5145C8-1109-4A4F-A866-91B1D0033F82.jpeg
     
  9. Harbury

    Harbury New Member

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    IMG_7620 70000 Leamington Spa 26 11 2022 i pad .jpg 70000 pulls away from its Leamington Spa stop this morning.
     
  10. osprey

    osprey Resident of Nat Pres

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    Reminds me of the the days I watched the Kings and Castles pull away south...you could hear them from Tatchbrook...
     
  11. Harbury

    Harbury New Member

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    With a Southerly wind this morning you could here it accelerating away beyond Whitnsh and up towards Harbury.
     
  12. LMarsh1987

    LMarsh1987 Part of the furniture Friend

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    A deserted Banbury station was the highlight of the day although a very surreal experience at such a big station. A good day out chasing steam with some good running at other locations seemed the order of the day. I hope you enjoy.
     
  13. osprey

    osprey Resident of Nat Pres

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    Whitnash ..please..and I live in Yorkshire..but born in Leamington Spa...Royal of course..
     
  14. NathanP

    NathanP Member

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    Water stop at a deserted Oxford station. Bit of discussion on board about how long it has been since a steam locomotive last watered directly in Oxford station. I'm sure someone on here will know.
     

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  15. 5944

    5944 Resident of Nat Pres

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  16. AlexGWR1994

    AlexGWR1994 Member

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    Here's my video of 70000 Britannia on her adventure to Bath and Bristol during the national rail strike. I hope you enjoy the video.
     
  17. NathanP

    NathanP Member

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    Yesterday was one of the most surreal, and most fun, railtours I have ever been on. Wandering around a deserted Bristol Temple Meads was like being on the set of 28 Days Later. All of these busy stations that were literally empty except for us and a handful of curious staff taking a break from the day of safety briefings and training videos.

    From Birmingham to Oxford it was just us and handful of freight trains. At Oxford GWR were running a 2 hourly DMU shuttle service to Reading, and at Bristol there were 2 hourly IETs to Paddington, but that was it. We were literally altering our scheduled path on the fly! We completely dispensed with Challow as it wasn't needed, and a quick call to the Swindon signaller gave us all we needed to stop for 20 mins at Swindon for a photo opportunity.

    Bath station was closed all day, with staff just turning up to unlock when we arrived. Once all those who got off had left it was then locked up until they returned later. Oxford station, when we stopped there to take on water on the return, was closed and deserted. No member of staff visible, entrance to the station locked up tight. It was just an utterly bizarre experience. It was my last railtour of this year and what a way to end the year!

    As the train was fully turned at Bristol, I was 3 coaches behind Britannia all day. In a Mk 1, with the toplight left ever so slightly ajar to keep the heat in, she was clearly audible all day. An amazing performance.
     
  18. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    accelerating through Hampton in Arden station after the Birmingham International stop
     
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  19. Steamage

    Steamage Part of the furniture

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    A little late to the party, I know, but here's a shot of 70000 cruising down the Cherwell valley, passing Enslow and Shipton on Cherwell, on Sat 26th Nov. It's followed by more recent shots of 7029 and 6233.

    https://youtu.be/Q2VjfwjenHw
     
  20. Britfoamer

    Britfoamer Well-Known Member

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    Last edited: Dec 13, 2022

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