Saphos 2024

46100 heading back to Crewe this afternoon, going full pelt through Tamworth just ahead of sunset. Nice surprise with The Irish Mail headboard too!

 

34046 is the loco today.

My morning walk happened to take me to Earlswood station in time for the ECS.

10 MK1s plus 47

Andrew

 

0556 Three Bridges to Bath. Somewhat delayed around Preston Park due to slight late running. Most of the delay was regained by Salisbury, now shown as over 30 late approaching Warminster. The DL on the rear was pushing when passing Chandlers Ford, slightly more than talking it's own weight I guess.
Cheers, Neil

 

Real time trains is claiming the train was operated by West Coast from Salisbury...?
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U38486/2024-12-09/detailed

 

Indeed - it also claims the trailing load changes to 715 tonnes from Chichester, but it started as that, so no change. Odd, also, that WCR is mentioned, as RTT makes no mention of Saphos as the originating operator. Given the timing at Salisbury it doesn't appear that the 47 has shunted to the front, but the load changes to 420 tonnes at 75mph. Perhaps the WCR is just a crewing item, but then who crewed it from Three Bridges?

 

Maybe LSL had to hire a guard from WCRC, that determines who is the TOC for the train, not the loco or loco crew.
Report from friend in Wylye area that loco was ailing and being pushed by the DL Schlusslok!

 

It's more likely that a there was a degree of electronic cut and paste of schedules for the route and steam timing loads and someone forgot to correct the profit centre code at Salisbury. Incidentally the ECS from Bath to Bristol East Depot is shown as LSL. ( Been there, done that over 20 years ago. It caused quite a few questions when a schedule of the wrong colour FOC was planned into a Freightliner Terminal without agreement. Resolved by correcting the train header details.)

Cheers, Neil

 

The weights and max speeds quoted only refer to the computer programs used for the timings. 715t/ 60mph max is the usual one as NR consider it nearest to a steam loco performance. Sometimes other parameters are used when necessary to provide a path.

 

Yes quite so, but the details in this one look unusual. BTW, RH claims to have corrected their '"senior moment" regarding the run, but it still shows the return from Chichester, not Bath!

 

Perhaps, but my point was that the run before Salisbury is not attributed on RTT to ANY operator, so why mention the change (if it is one) en-route?

 

Agreed, an error more likely than a real change. I should have thought it would be impossible for WCRC to be evolved!

 

Has Braunton failed? The return trip has missed out the water stop at Salisbury which suggests diesel haulage

 

Track circuit failure.

No, just missed out the water stop. No problem with Braunton. <BJ>

 

Probably done at the extended stop at Eastleigh

 

Yes, they are stuck in the past!

 

Like our hobby then.

 

SWML is shut until the rest of the day at Byfleet. Unknown which way Braunton will go at Guildford currently

 

Incident at Weybridge tonight, all lines blocked so keep an eye out incase the Bath Xmas Market charter gets diverted

 

Finally made a move from Haslemere, 30 minutes down.

 

Returning via London Road, unsure on where it’s planned to terminate as of yet