The Tamar Devonian 28/7/12

With the South Devon Banks it's as much about adhesion as power, 60163 and 71000 solo could prob take more than 9 solo on the basis on power but with the tight twsiting nature of Dainton in particular with rail greasers as well, would they keep their feet ?, it's no coincidence the GWR favoured the 4-6-0 arrangement for the Kings when a Pacific arrangement would of been more logical.

 

DoG nearly managed to take the equivalent of 13 up dainton when the box on the back failed.

 

As we all know, East Coast Pacifics can't climb hills and Tornado is a case in point, well, apart from Dainton, oh, and Rattery and Hemerdon and Whiteball and Cockett Bank and Shap and Beattock and Drumochter and the Lickey Incline and the S & C, apart from those it simply can't climb hills....... especially with a slipping King in front....

Foxy

 

Well it's as well they're not adding another 4 coaches as that would place some people even further back from the business end of the train. On the subject of the coaching stock arrangement, is it regular practice now to turn the locos AND the stock at Plymouth now or only the locos ? I seem to remember reading on here that sometimes both get turned but whenever I've been to Plymouth the stock has stayed the same way round for the return as outward. Assuming the stock isn't turned at Plymouth I hope it's arranged so that standard is at the front on the return, as provided the signals are sympathetic, Hemerdon is usually the noisiest climb going east on a Bristol to Plymouth and return itinerary, and I'm sure both locos will need to give at least 50% of their potential power to get to the summit in record time.

By the way 5944, I suspect the PRCLT would have something to say about you referring to 71000 and 60163 as the two most powerful locos on the mainline. Isn't the Duchess more powerful than 60163 at the draw bar ?

 

And probably a merchant navy...

 

Definitely some rain forecast for the Hemerdon area from 13:00 until about 19:00 tomorrow according to BBC Weather. This is good news as it should put paid to any fire risk in the area. This section is pretty tree lined of I remember rightly ?

Link to forecast for Hemerdon and Totnes below :-

Hemerdon weather

BBC Weather : Hemerdon

Totnes weather

BBC Weather : Totnes

 

Didcot have just confirmed on Facebook that Britannia is there for attention to bogie springs - likely to be about 2 weeks

 

er NO!

 

Can't a MN pull more than Tornado?

 

On the flat quite possibly, up a steep grade ? erm...

 

Well, we saw all the slipping that Tangmere did going up Shap in April. Would the same hold true for Clan Line?

 

You know, no-one, as far as I can see, has properly credited the boys & girls associated with Tornado on being able to turn out yet again this week, and at pretty short notice - an absolutely sterling effort by all concerned. 60163, by the end of today, will have racked up a very large weekly mileage, much of it at speed and on high-profile duties. Just like the 'old days', eh? I know that other groups do the 'Thunderbird' bit too, and kudos to them as well, of course, but as far as I can see, this is an exceptional effort.

Well done all, & here's to a cracking day out.

Mark

 

Hear hear to that. Herculean effort, and typical of those amazing guys, (and girl), responsible !

 

Passed TD at Long Ashton, soon after Flax Bourton tunnel. Going well !

 

This reminds me of the tale of a Bulleid going over the SD banks. Cant remember which way but upon arrival the driver is noted saying "What banks?"

 

dont forget you can watch this tour passing the sea wall at Dawlish at RailCam - Home of live Railway Webcams in the UK

 

Basically whatever the TTE/drawbar horse power the really important thing is the factor of adhesion.

 

Superb sight with the Duke leading Tornado departing Bristol on time in crystal clear early morning sunlight.
The stock today: 1 maroon coach, 11 blood & custards ,1 chocolate & cream and 1 maroon. Very nice. <BJ>

 

Any idea on the running early late etc