Chiltern Special - 1st August

It was scheduled to be turned at Greenford

 

There is a triangular junction at Greenford, off the GWR Birmingham direct line, onto the branch to West Ealing (still controlled by semaphore signals & a manual signal box).

There is also another triangular junction at the other end of the branch between West Ealing and Hanwell on the GWML.

 

I have yet to look at the shot and video of the Earl I took yesterday evening on the climb to the tunnel just beyond Ludgershall, but all I can say is WOW.

As I drove along the A34 north of Oxford in the pouring rain, I was thinking, what am I doing here ? Although the rain had stopped by the time I parked the car, I opened the door to find that there was some kind of open air party or rave going on about 500 yards away from the bridge I was going to use, so I had an hour of thump, thump, thump thump to put up with as well as a probably ruined video.

The last time I visited the GW/GC joint was in 1986, on that occasion to photograph 777 Sir Lamiel on one of the frequent steam specials that ran on the line in the 80's. Single track for long distances and with Marylebone itself under serious threat of closure how things have changed for the better - Now redoubled and with a frequent train service including through trains from Birmingham and even Wrexham.

Back to yesterday - the live band started its set..................and they were truly awful, couldn't play, couldn't sing and everything had the same beat, even the cover of Wonderwall........what was I doing there ?

Then, bang on time I heard 5043's whistle coming up the bank from Bicester. The noise she was making was epic. Gradually it built in volume, first matching, then eclipsing, then totally obliterating the racket coming from the field. The train came into sight around the corner with a towering plume of white exhaust, thundered under the bridge and into the tunnel. I'm so glad I bothered to go out to see her - and there was no one else around - how often does that happen for a scheduled steam working ?

To the crew of 5043 - thank you for putting on that display. I don't know what the photo will look like yet - the light wasn't good. I'll post that and the video up once I've processed them.


STEVE

 

A spot on day all round-apart from the weather and that was patchy. The two runs were virtually to the minute and the run from storming through Leamington all the way back was stunning. It obviously had to be as we got back right time. From Friday through to late Saturday was a real marathon for all the footplate and support crew. 5043 also ran light engine from Stratford to Tysley for servicing during the afternoon and arrived well in time for the return. Well done all round!

 

Thanks to all involved yesterday (bob/alester/and the 2 rays( very good driving under the conditions)i had a very good day out (pity about the weather)

 

Photo and video now available



Video
http://www.rail-videos.net/video/view.php?id=6437


STEVE

 

I now have my video up on youtube, link in my signature below.

 

Nice!

 

awesome- this engine is just awesome.

Seen it out twice on the Shakespeares and Warwickshire knows no finer site or sound