Vintage Trains 2023

Thanks for letting me know. From the platform it seemed faster than that!

 

It was still accelerating away from a TSR a couple of miles away, hit 70mph shortly after.

 

It’s the opposite. Clun was fitted with new tyres at its last overhaul. Earl of Mount Edgcumbe has a new set of tyres waiting to be fitted as the current ones are getting towards needing replacement as I understand it.

 

That footage (post # 177, departure from Banbury) does clearly show the Earl's wheels going round faster than Clun's.

* From my earlier surmise, when I wasn't sure which was faster.
Thanks for the explanation.

 

This throws up other situations...odometer accuracy?

 

You can adjust them for wheel size, same as a speedometer.

 

Yes I assumed that, but nice to have it confirmed

 

Bloody awesome going through Oxford!

Thanks for sharing that.

 

Bit late, but here's my offering from Saturday. Filmed at Fenny Compton and up Hatton Bank. Enjoy

 

All other factors (e.g. cylinder diameter) being equal, 5043 will have a slight advantage on the Lickey trips then! Assuming EoME’s drivers are, say, 6’ 6 ½” versus 6’ 8 ½” for Clun, that gives the Earl a tractive effort of 32,432 lbf as against Clun’s 31,625 lbf.

Looking at the photos and videos of the trip, the lack of steam leaks from the front end of both locomotives is a sign that they are in tip-top condition and a credit to the team at Tyseley Loco Works. I can't wait for the 13th May trip I'm booked on!

 

Two Castles go to see two more 4 March 2023

This very special main line steam outing had its origin in the late 2010s when Vintage Trains need to raise capital to form a Community Benefit Society to ensure the future of its Tyseley operations. (A fuller description of the background to this is at https://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com/p62784574 ). A major incentive offered to prospective shareholders was that they would have exclusive and free access to the first railtour to be doubleheaded by two Tyseley Castles, as soon as they were both available for mainline use. The Society was duly established but faced many challenges and delays in reaching this point, but at last the date for this trip was announced.

So it was that on a cold damp winter morning, hundreds gathered at Birmingham Snow Hill for the excursion to Didcot. No 7029 Clun Castle, running tender first, headed the train of ten coaches from Tyseley into the platform, then ran round to couple up to No 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe at the other end whilst over 300 passengers boarded.

We set off down the tunnel to Birmingham Moor Street and our speed rose gradually to 41 through Tyseley and 59 at Solihull before braking for a stop at Widney Manor for the remaining passengers to board. After Dorridge the pair of Castles really opened up and reached 69, then braked sharply before Hatton. Off again down the bank, we hit 69 at Warwick Parkway, easing to 64 through Warwick and were then checked again, passing Leamington Spa at 33. Despite the rising gradient to Fenny Compton, we were soon into the high 60s, and we reached 75 down through Cropredy and rattled through Banbury at 66 .....

The rest of this account, and 20 pictures, are at https://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com/p477011529

Peter on a sunny but cold afternoon in Manchester
https://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com

 

Some updates:

THE SHAKESPEARE EXPRESS- 26th March 2023:

This Sunday, 26th March 2023, is scheduled to be the first solo trip for GWR Castle Class no. 5043, 'Earl of Mount Edgcumbe', as is returns to the Vintage Trains fleet after overhaul.

Choose from two return journeys - one in the morning and one in the afternoon and enjoy breakfast and afternoon tea, or Sunday lunch in Pullman Class.

Tickets are available on the Vintage Trains website.

https://vintagetrains.co.uk/train-rides ... e-express/

THE CUMBRIAN COAST EXPLORER TO RAVENGLASS & CARLISLE- 3rd June 2023

For those choosing to leave the train at Ravenglass, there is the option of a specially chartered train on the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway.

Join us for a specially chartered train on the stunning 7-mile, 15-inch gauge Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway from Ravenglass to Dalegarth and return. The special train will be exclusively available for Vintage Trains customers, travelling through amazing scenery behind a beautifully preserved locomotive. Places are limited. Ticket price: £15.00

This option can be added when booking the tour.

https://vintagetrains.co.uk/the-cumbria ... -carlisle/

THE BLACKPOOL ILLUMINATIONS EXPLORER- 11th November 2023

Rigby Road Depot Tour

We have been given the opportunity by Blackpool Transport to offer group tours of the Rigby Road Tram depot. Opened in 1935, the Rigby Road depot has capacity to hold over 100 trams and was the main stabling point for Blackpool trams from its construction, until the Starr Gate Depot was opened in 2012. It is now home to several heritage trams and this tour offers an exciting opportunity to look round. £10 per person. Places are limited.

A Tour of the Illuminations by Heritage Tram

Vintage Trains are pleased to offer this exciting opportunity to enjoy a tour along the golden mile by heritage double-decker tram after sunset, to take in Blackpool’s world-famous illuminations. You’ll have an excellent all-round view of every bulb on the promenade, as you pass-by the resort’s unmistakable tower and three piers. The specially chartered tram will be for Vintage Trains passengers only, and will be a truly unique experience to conclude an excellent day out by rail. £13 per person. Places are limited, so book now to avoid disappointment.

This option can be added when booking the tour.

https://vintagetrains.co.uk/blackpool-i ... -explorer/

 

As our late friend Mr Grieve would say ‘it’s not a toy that one’

 

My footage of 5043 charging through Wilmcote with the return leg of the "Shakespeare Express" this afternoon.

 

5043 out and about this afternoon. Seen at Shirley and Widney Manor

 

Few shots of 5043 EOME first solo trip at Wilmcote & Dorridge




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The second run of the day at Hatton North Junction.

 

Just received notification that Castles up the Lickey has been rearranged for Sat 10 June.
Fingers crossed that nothing else appears to disrupt it!