6024/12th dec.

And here's a pic of 6024 storming up Dauntsey Bank!

 

Running a little late at Sonning Cutting by the golf club.
Court us out as running on the main, going very well.
Nice to see KE1 on home ground & on the main.

 

Thro' Taplow at 11:49, so 3 - 4 mins early, on the Up Fast.

 

Fantastic sight going through Twyford. Photo opportunity virtually nil, sorry Jane, cos she came storming through on the Main where we were standing, we were all expecting her on the relief line following the turbo stopper. AND you had a 125 right behind !! A truly brilliant reflection of THE BRISTOLIAN of years back.

 

Not surprise early at Taplow the speed KE1 was doing at
Sonning Cutting !

 

Short video from Tilehurst. Seemed to have cut off on the platform end. Nice to see it remained on the main after Reading.

[youtube]<object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hguEmTK_l8s&hl=en_GB&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hguEmTK_l8s&hl=en_GB&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>[/youtube]

Looks like the driver's nameplate was on the cabside as per GWR days.

 

Normally they would switch to the up slow before Reading and through Platform 9. Did this happen today or did it do the ultimate Bristolian thing and pass on the up through line between platforms 4 and 5??
I am so darned annoyed because I got timings wrong and was ready to leave Finachampshead near Wokingham (only a 10 minute train trip to Reading) only to see it was due through Reading at 11.31 especially if it DID go through on the up fast!!
One thing is for sure. I won't miss it comng back tonight. X Factor or not!! Off to Woking now to see Clan Line on the VSOE!
Nick

 

It was on the main at Tilehurst, Twyford & Taplow, so it possibly was on the up through road at Reading. I don't remember steam on the Bristolian, but remember the Warships, particularly D821, flying through Reading around 5.40pm on the up working.

 

Very impressive, I wish I'd been there.

 

Shame about the weather in the Vale of White Horse (we were told the sun was out in Newbury), but 6024 looked impressive passing Compton Beauchamp

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=306833&nseq=0


STEVE

 

Through Tilehurst 6.54 on the main. Looked good in the cold still air with a long whistle blast. Looked as if the whole train had been turned.

 

Court me out at Twyford on relief line but there was
a stopper due at 18:42 so we thought it would be on
main we heard a whistle & there it was on the relief
didn't have time to turn camera on but at least I saw it !

 

Twyford this morning.....
http://50031.fotopic.net/p62488014.html
http://50031.fotopic.net/p62488015.html

 

Arriving at Paddington:
http://simon71.fotopic.net/p62486200.html

At the buffers:

http://simon71.fotopic.net/p62486201.html

 

Four shots from the trip.

http://michael527.fotopic.net/c1791535_1.html

Had to crank up the ISO at the end. Will post some other shots later.

Cracking pictures of the King on the run to London.

Was a bit disappointed that the heating wasn't working in the coach, good job the train wasn't full. Steam heating too hot in the buffet car. It wasn't really the best day's advertisment for Rivera Trains multi coloured rake, and if the train had been full it would have taxed this passenger's goodwill.

Was there any truth in the rumour that the two Little British Laydees in First Class were followed around by a film/tv crew to record the public's reaction. Or was this an ugly rumour put about by some of the excellent stewarding team?

 

6024, Christmas Bristolian

Brilliant to see the King out on the mainline once more. I saw her at Chippenham and water stop at Wantage road this morning. Weather was cold and dull but the King was stunning as usual. Thanks as always to 6024 support crew.

http://www.youtube.com/user/gwrsteam

 

Great to see the mighty King out on the Main line again. It's been a while since I've seen her stretching her legs. Here is a shot from a fairly packed bridge at Basildon near Goring. Not one of my better ones but a joy to see 6024 fully bedecked in Western "trimmings" as she used to be:

 

We all had a great day out with 6024. Thanks to all for your great pics and videos. She did us proud.

FC

 

Superb day out behind the King! Well done to everyone involved in making it happen.

 

I love your last two shots of the day at Temple Meads. Talk about atmosphere! Wrong line, wrong station, I know, but it's like looking at scenes from "Making of Brief Encounter"