VT Farewell to Steam Special - 1/11/25

Looks like its just come out of overhaul !

 

Looks like 34028 was held at Dolphin Junction to allow 7029 to continue on the down main, assume P4 at Slough must be bi directional.

 

Yep. Passed her standing on the down relief in Slough Station.
Edit: then we crossed back to the relief.

 

On the main through Tilehurst having been switched across at East Junction

 

A last minute dash across to the fast platforms at Cholsey, followed by a torrential downpour and an angry 37 !

Hope the return from Bristol is better for the fare payers.

 

It's not brilliant, but...

 

Not a chance in you know where!!! Wish we'd atayed in the Mad Bishop and Bear.

 

Well, that was mixed! I had my CanonR5 for 8k video, but turned it on to find that the 325GB card was full! Must remember that even huge cards can fill up. Went to West Drayton when I saw 34028 was getting later and later, guessing they might pass there. No - 34028 dawdled further still and passed about ten mins after 7029 (which had a cylinder issue it seemed). Resorted to my 8k phone video, but it didn't register my finger to start recording 34028! 34028's meander across the GWML locked up the route for quite a time, with at least two up 800s at a stand for several mins. Only because 34028's stock was mk2s was I not more annoyed! What video I managed will follow.

 

Cracking trip so far, even with the 37 assist.

 

Another one from Paddington earlier, as the 37 drew the train in. Was originally due in on Platform 12 but came in on Platform 8 instead, with a scramble from those of us waiting for it a few minutes prior to arrival, I initially went to Platform 8 for the above photo and then over to Platform 7 where I took the one I posted earlier and took a video of it's departure.

 

What machine were you using for recording?

 

I brought them second hand from EBay, in a bundle of many reel to reels of railtours from 1965 to 1968. My main interest in them was 4498 is on some of the 1967 recordings but I ended up purchasing the lot.

The 1965 trips were quite a bit before my time and unfortunately no recording notes came with the tapes so I don’t know what machine was used to record them. They’re all on EMITAPE 99/9 and recorded at 3 3/4 ips

 

It IS brilliant! That took some good anticipation and timing.

 

My sons photo of the Castle passing Twyford.

 

My video from Royal Oak and Swindon.

Always special to see engines return to their old stomping grounds, and to see 7029 depart Paddington at the head of a train for the first time since 1965 was quite something!

Fantastic display at Swindon too, despite originally being signalled to go through the centre UM as planned, she then came through plat 4 due to an early running RHTT, but still heck of a sight and sound!

 

RTT shows it having not reached Bristol east depot. Platform displays show delayed.

 

Reached it 25 minutes late!

 

It's better than most managed! Did you plan for Slough or was it last minute luck?

 

Nice. I know it is (mostly) immaterial to the paying passengers, but what a shame such a special working had to have a freight-liveried 37 at the rear!

 

And is at platform 1 Filton Abbey Wood now blocking up my Cardiff to Pompey