Hogwarts Excursion - 18th July

might of scrapped a few mm off through a station on a move for filming a few years ago up north i think.

 

Through Tilehurst 10.17 on relief going well. It was a big Maroon thing on the back, a West Coast 37, can't recall the number. I think there were more people on Tilehurst station than there were on the train, looked totally empty to me. Not many £89's spent? Also surprisingly it was carrying Olton Hall plates, thought it would have had Hogwarts Castle for the occasion.

 

Charged passed Hanwell this morning at 09:35 looking good. First time I've seen an Ex-GWR loco at Paddington and it was in completely the wrong livery! Diesel on the back was 37706.

 

They have put an almost red diesel on the journey back. Just a dark red called maroon.

 

Don't know why I said 'blue thing on the back' !! Of course it was matching colour to engine and coaches. Good to see all the same colour sets on a special nowadays. And like Tilehurst, plenty of people on Twyford station to watch. But are we all going to race down to see the return. I think not !! I didn't actually notice the passenger numbers, was watching the engine until she started emptying clag on the way towards Sonning Cutting. But if the numbers were that bad, I agree it must be an expensive exercize this morning. In fact if there are so few, could put them on a service train back and save the return leg costs ! Now theres a thought.

 

I finally "copped" the Hogwarts Express and Hogwarts Castle at last this morning going well at Basildon. There was a good turnout and 5972 was indulging in the "Tangmere effect" as can be seen from the pictures below. NIce to see the Hall/Castle 8-[ back on the Western Main Line again. I hope she makes a few more journeys down South.

 

Seen west of Maidenhead, shame I didn't get the clag Green Five did!

 

At least you caught her in the sun Matt! She seemed to be under a cloud which followed her where we were. ](*,)

 

http://railways.mjspencer.com/gallery/m ... ewsIndex=1

5972 passing Hatton this afternoon en-route to Tyseley

 

I travelled on the train as a very last minute guest - (arrived at Pad 5 mins before departure after overnight flight from Miami) and can confirm that WCR were just providing charter service as requested to a third party....99% of the Muggles on board were American and seem to be enjoying the steam hauled part of the day.

I never imagined yesterday that I would be travelling behind a Hall from Paddington to Oxford in 2009..Fine performance from the crew - no assistance from the 37 and load 9

the loco ran at its plated 60mph for most of the run except when we were running on single yellows up to Maidenhead...

The loco had restrictions through platforms at Didcot (not P3) Culham and Radley and the loco was held approaching Didcot for a local to clear P4 and and then held between station and North Junction to allow what I presume was a XC train to pass on the curve.

Well done West Coast and thanks James

 

Hi Matt,
YOU BEAT ME TO IT!!
Here are my efforts. Still can't get it quite right!
http://rickeborallphotography.fotopic.net/

 

Hi

Here are my vids of 5972 .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sx8iab3Imbs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EK8d00Lvk7w


Thanks Col

 

Caught 5972 at South Stoke - quite a few photographers out for it. Got it in sunshine (just). Even got the rods down \/

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.p ... 73&nseq=11


STEVE

 

5972 Moved on to York with it's two support coaches from Tyseley earlier today: http://david1984.fotopic.net/p59719099.html