6024 on VSOE to Bristol, 14 July

Does anyone know if 6024 is in guage for the VSOE's normal Ascot route? As 5029 was not permitted, I'm sort of assuming 6024 will have to go via Slough as well. I'd really like to see it come through Ascot.

 

I think you will find it will veer off via Kensington Olympia and get onto the first G.W.line.
We don't want any scrapping along platforms do we...

 

http://www.uksteam.info/tours/trs10.htm#twk States 6024: Victoria-Westbury-Bristol-Paddington.
There used to be a bridge between Wokingham & Reading that when 6024 went to the Mid Hants some years ago it couldn't do more than 5mph !
I would think it's to Reading via the GW mainline as it's going back to Paddington.

 

"There used to be a bridge....." Slightly worrying that!

 

I wonder what way it will be going out of Victoria? Isn't the usual London-Bristol VSOE routed via Staines on the outward run? If 5029 couldn't go that way a few weeks ago then one would assume 6024 most definately won't fit, in which case it will have to go via the GW mainline.

 

Yes, normally Staines - Ascot - Bracknell - Wokingham - Reading. Would love to see the King there but I'm not expecting it

 

Via Kenny O & Acton and the GWML would be the assumption.

 

Yep, UK Steam now reporting it as Victoria-Slough-Newbury-Bristol-Newbury-Paddington

6024 should sound brilliant pulling out of Slough Station with 12 or so on, the echoes are great there, I will try and be there. Then maybe around Newbury, assuming a Theale water stop and M4 traffic give me time to overtake.

 

Posted by Roger Smith on SE Gen earlier this week. Like it says, provisional, so could be completely wrong.

From provisional timings seen looks like kettle going on at Willesden SWS though so no exotica at Vic...
Provisional timings : 08.45 Victoria - Bristol TM, Kenny O 09/07 DM, Willesden SWS 09*17 09*41, West Ealing Plat 3 10/00, Slough 10/19 Plat 4, Twyford 10/39, Reading Plat 8, Didcot PW Plat 3 11/04, Challow 11W20 11W48, Swindon Plat 4 12/04, Chippenham Plat 1 12/22, Bath Spa 12.39 12.44, Bristol TM 12.57.
Return may run 60 later than this : 16.40 Bristol TM - Paddington, Bath Spa Plat 2 16.56 17.00, Chippenham Plat 2 17/18, Swindon 17A37 17A45, Wantage Road 18W06 18W27, Didcot PW Plat 2 18/35, Reading Plat 9 18/55, Twyford 19/02, Slough Plat 5 19/24, West Ealing 19/46, Paddington 20.00.

 

UK Steam shows route from Acton Mainline, Slough, Reading, Didcot, Challow, Swindon, Chippenham, Bath, Bristol with times as per last post to Bristol. No times yet for return.

http://www.uksteam.info/tours/t10/t0714a.htm

 

Tour code is t0714a

 

Times are now up http://www.uksteam.info/tours/t10/t0714a.htm
Now just got to pop out of work about 10.30am !

 

Just a quick note, no '67' on the back. 6024 will be hauling the train on its own throughout.

 

No chance of lineside fires in the Bath/Bristol area tomorrow. The rain dance has worked. <BJ>

 

Be interesting to see how it gets on, must be the heaviest load the King has worked for some time, 600 tons of Pullman is asking a bit more than 12 Mk1's.

 

Looks like a nice morning for steam here in the Thames Valley! A bit damp, 86% humidity, fairly cool too

 

6024 across Grosvenor Bridge 08.48. Sun appeared 30 seconds later!

 

Seen on Acton bank waiting time at 09.49.

 

Wayne has told us there won't be a box on the back of this one. So I suspect the load will be circa 500 tons? Still a very good load for 6024. Looking forward to seeing the photos and video. Should be quite a sight passing Swindon!