VT Farewell to Steam Special - 1/11/25

Yep - I plan to be there for an uncommon foray out to the GWR, but I very much doubt if it will happen as timed (mostly because of 34028's timing after such a long journey) - I'm prepared to be flexible on my location - it's handy that the route is so well served (and thank goodness for RTT and Traksy!). I recall going to Hook for the potential passing of 4472 and 73096 in 2003 (I think) and the actual passing was a few miles further west.

 

Updated times are in for the return out of Bristol, the ECS prior has also been updated where a trip to Lawrence Hill takes place so that Clun is in the lead again.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U68719/2025-11-01/detailed

 

I was tempted to post but remembered "Don't feed the troll".

 

Indeed, one of the reasons I decided not to book. Also, £174.90 for a Tourist Class ticket seems a bit spendy. In my eyes, the fare might be justified if it was a non-stop unassisted trip from Paddington to Bristol, but sadly not the case.

Anyway, looking forward to publication of VT’s 2026 programme, where I’m sure there will be something to tempt me.

Nick M.

 

Almost feels like it should have been a two day thing this all along. Perhaps a one way positioning move on the Friday, followed by a morning run PAD-BRI with steam alone, then a few hours in BRI, before an afternoon return to BHM. Trying to fit it all in one day seems to have taken the shine off it.

 

Or, if such a thing is still possible these days, a 3 day one. Back in 2010 5043 did such, Solihull to Slough on Day 1, Paddington to Bristol and back on Day 2, then a return of Slough to Solihull on Day 3, as shown here in a video by 1Z64. That said, they would need somewhere to stable in London for two nights, potentially not possible now and the reason they need to do it in one go:

 

That may change my plans. I was thinking of seeing 7029 off at Paddington, but now wondering if I see the arrival, grab a few pics and hop on a train that gets me there to potentially see both pass.

 

One would assume that WCR at Southall would remain an option, they have been accommodated at Carnforth in recent times?

 

The problem with Hayes is that if they are on the up and down main then the up platform is fenced off and the down the gate is usually locked. The better location would be Bournes Bridge, the next bridge west about a 5 minute walk and if they end up on the relief you at least have the old EMI building as part of the backdrop and normally the traffic is not so bad that you can not change from one side of the bridge to the other. Overhead wires being an issue everywhere of course. I am assuming both are on the main due to the RTT detail.
The odds of it actually happening of course are vast as the opportunities for late or early running, a vast on tours that have already travelled a long way.

 

Anyone know why we were booked, and ran, wrong road through Dorridge?

 

The Shakespeare's always run wrong road through Dorridge. A Castle is out of gauge for the normal road.

 

I'll keep an eye on RTT throughout the day, if the ECS for the RTC trip is delayed enough I might pop up to Southall and see it come in. Otherwise I'll probably just stay at Paddington for this one.

 

I was considering a photo or video this evening at the new Ashley Down station, a few minutes out of Bristol Temple Meads, but this is tricky if 7029 takes the fast line through rather than the service/stopping line. Not sure if there's any way of knowing beforehand.

 

I'm also filming in the Bath / Bristol area. Does anyone know which stations have speed limits for the Castle please? TIA. [BJ]

 

Down direction:

Oldfield Park - 30mph
No others appear.

 

My tickets from the original Last Steam Hauled train from Paddington. Also the last castle hauled train to arrive into Paddington from the week before. I’ve also attached some reel to reel tapes that cover both trips

 

looks like the crossing point is Iver/Langley.

 

Abandoned the trip to Southall as for some reason my ticket wouldn't work to get on the Elizabeth Line (even though it usually works) and can't find another way that would get to Southall in time for Eddystone's arrival.

Anyway here's a mobile picture of Clun I took at Paddington.