CathEx - London and Bristol to Ludlow and Shrewsbury - Nov 29th

Just tried working out the outward timings, using timings from previous tours and ignoring what is written on Steam Dreams website.

Paddington 07.30
Reading 08.30
Bristol 10.30
Gloucester 11.30
Maindee 12.30
Hereford 13.30
Ludlow 14.00
Shrewsbury 14.45

So the outward looks doable, but if you allow 3 hours in Shrewsbury for servicing and turning, it could be a very late return if they use the outward route. Even if steam comes off at Hereford on the return (losing a lot of steam mileage), you could still be talking about 11pm back at Paddington. Doesn't really seem worth it for the extra pick up at Gloucester, if that is the reason for the diversion. It looks like one of those itineraries that would be ok with 60163, but a pair of 60mph Black 5s makes it a bit of a mission!

Also, 5029 is booked to haul Pathfinder's Marches Castle on the same day. http://www.pathfindertours.co.uk/index.php/event-list.html?day=20141129

 

According to SD,steam is booked to come on at Gloucester on the outward,but as Big Al has said above,at the moment the return route(and where steam comes off) has not yet been decided.

 

I also had a email from SD saying the trip will now be hauled by 60019

 

Website still saying pair of Black 5s, and diesel hauled between London and Bristol in both directions. At least the origin, pick ups and destination have stayed the same!

 

Still nothing on RTT but have received tickets from SD with confirmed details - here is a rough summary:

Paddington dep 0709
Slough dep 0731
Twyford dep 0748
Reading dep 0800
Kemble dep 0906
Steam comes on at Gloucester but not at a platform.
Hereford arr 1315
Ludlow arr 1359
Shrewsbury arr 1444

Shrewsbury dep 1655
Ludlow dep 1829
Hereford dep 1901
Bristol Parkway arr 2044
Swindon 2147
Goring 2226
Reading 2241
Twyford 2251
Slough 2308.(terminates)

On the return steam is throughout,but "with a diesel pilot from Bristol Parkway". Triple header? That must be pretty unusual!

There is a note that this trip has been "particularly difficult" for NR to path due to significant engineering work taking place. Due to the odd calling pattern,many passengers from intermediate stops will be escorted either to or from other stops by service train.

 

Thank you for that, have been keeping an eye on both RTT, uksteam.info and Steam Dreams' websites for the last few days.
It appears the train will being stopping on the return leg between Shrewsbury & Ludlow - presumably Craven Arms as the only possibility these days? (water, or just operational/pathing?)

On the outward leg it's 45 minutes between arrival at Ludlow, disembarking and then arrival at Shrewsbury.
On the return it's allowing about an hour and a half for the same distance, during which time the 17:16 departure from Shrewsbury to Cardiff service will need to overtake (Ludlow at 17:41), as will the 17:45 departure from Shrewsbury (Ludlow 18:14).

 

Yes you are right,the same thing happened on the SD 13 Sep trip. That one recessed at Craven Arms DGL from 1729 to 1815,can't remember if water was taken,I suspect not.. On that trip water was taken at Hereford 1900/1912. I can only guess this pathing stop at Craven Arms must be something to do with platform occupancy at Shrewsbury?

 

When "Tornado" did the run a few years ago they took water (from a tanker) whilst sitting in the loop, then got delayed because when they came to leave the little bloke from Network Rail hadn't arrived to clip the points to allow a passenger train out. I'm sure at one time in the distant past the signalman in the box on the other side of the level crossing from the afforementioned points would have been suitably empowered to do that, but hey ho.

I guess you might be right about platform space at Shrewbury. Normally it would seem to be platform 4, but 3, 4 and 7 (ie. all through platforms) could technically be used if necessary: Platform 4 seems to have stuff around it during the time period necessary for a steamy departure to reach Ludlow around half 6.

If they were swift I guess 7 could be used, that sees the 17:45 Milford Haven (which the steamer will follow) then a gap until the 18:11 arrives from Crewe - so a 25 minute space. RTT doesn't seem to show anything else up the Chester line during that period to cause problems getting out of Coton Hill yard. The 17:47 to New Street would need to pass across it from platform 6, but I can't see any other obstructions.

Platform 3 looks to probably be out of action: The Swansea service terminates on platform 3 Shrewsbury 17:11 and then doesn't see anything else until the 18:01 departure to Swansea - so I assume that'll be the same DMU sat blocking it for an hour.


At the end of the day it's rather academic - the allocated timetable is how it is, whether the train delays departure by 45 minutes or pulls up at Craven Arms for that length of time doesn't alter much. No doubt the planners have good reason for what's published.

 

With just 48 hours to go, the Steam Dreams website still anoounces that ''We are currently waiting for final
timings from Network Rail for this trip. Diesel hauled from London to Bristol in both directions''. <BJ>

 

Times are now on Steam Dreams

http://www.steamdreams.co.uk/executables/GT410WebContent.exe?ActionCode=Timings

 

From SD website:
Maidenhead Passengers
.
Unfortunately, we have not been granted a stop by Network Rail at Maidenhead in both directions. We will be escorting passengers by service train from Maidenhead departing at 0710 (platform 1) arriving at Reading 0723. In the evening, passengers should alight at Reading and travel on the 2248 service train, departing platform 13, which will arrive at Maidenhead at 2303. Alternatively, if you would like to make your own way to Slough or Twyford, please contact the Booking Office.
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Goring & Streatley Passengers
.
Network Rail have not granted us a stop at Goring & Streatley in the morning so a Steam Dreams representative will be escorting passengers on the 0712 service train departing from platform 4 and due to arrive at Reading at 0727.
.
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Swindon Passengers
.
Network Rail have not granted us a stop at Swindon in the morning so we have organised a road coach which will depart from Swindon Station at 0800 and will take passengers to Kemble station.
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Gloucester Passengers
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On the outward journey, the locomotive change at Gloucester has not been able to take place in a platform and therefore Gloucester passengers will need to travel to Kemble by service train. The service train departs from platform 2 at 0746 and arrives at Kemble at 0819 on platform 1. On the return journey we will be escorting Gloucester passengers back from Bristol Parkway on the 2052 service train leaving from the adjacent platform 3 due to arrive at Gloucester at 2134.
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London Paddington Passengers
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Due to engineering works the train has to be terminated at Slough. Steam Dreams representatives will escort passengers on the 2315 service train from Slough (departing from the same platform the Cathedrals Express arrives on) to London Paddington arriving at 2353.
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Bath Passengers and Bristol Passengers
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If you have chosen to join the train at Bath or Bristol, you should have received a telephone call from our Booking Office. If you have not yet spoken to someone from our Booking Office, please call 01483 209888.
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Passengers can board and alight at stations marked in bold
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Passengers are requested to arrive in good time for the train as unfortunately we are unable to wait for latecomers.

 

If anyone is thinking of photographing this train on the Glos-Chepstow stretch in the morning, one of the best locations is Gatcombe where the line runs right by the Severn Estuary. You turn left off the A48 the Lydney side of Blakeney. The turning may be marked "Etloe" as well, and you'll need a map as once you turn off, it's all narrow, winding lanes. There's a footpath crossing the line at Gatcombe although only room for 1 or 2 people. If the train is running late, there's also a good bridge on a nice curve between Newnham and Awre, although the sun (if out, which it may well be according to the forecast) is a bit head on if it runs on time. Turn left off the A48 south of Newnham. I think the road is singposted "Awre". It's just after the Bullo turning. There's a public footpath sign and this takes you to the bridge.

As steam doesn't often run on this line, I hope this info is helpful. Regrettably, I made an arrangment to view a house about 170 miles away literally two hours before being notified of the change of route for this train, so I won't be able to see it, but if anyone does take some pictures from either of these locations, I'll look forward to seeing them.

 

Times now up on RTT:

1Z45
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U53370/2014/11/29/advanced

1Z46
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U53377/2014/11/29/advanced​

As guessed, 45 minutes sat in the loop at Craven Arms.


The shunts round the triangle are also listed, but based on past experience those times often get totally ignored on the day, as things happen as and when they see fit!

 

Gonna be an absolute marathon for anyone on board from London and back.