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Vintage Trains: Mayflower to Plymouth - 27/09/24

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by nanstallon, Jun 27, 2024.

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  1. nanstallon

    nanstallon Part of the furniture

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    Yes, turning the whole train at Plymouth is a little unfair. I was on the May trip and suffered that experience, although it was still a good trip to be on.
     
    nanstallon, Jun 27, 2024
    #1
  2. 2857Harry

    2857Harry Member

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    There is a greater desire generally to turn trains as complete consists where possible to do so to prevent uncoupling/coupling back up, etc and all the associated issues/problems that may arise from that, plus of course the general safety of it. Also it takes less time/less paths, etc.

    If a full train can be turned/watered/sorted all together then that’s the safest, easiest and least problematic option. It’s happening a lot more at Carlisle, and it seems to be beginning to occur elsewhere.

    From a keeping these things running point of view, it must only be seen as a good thing.
     
    2857Harry, Jun 27, 2024
    #2
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  3. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    We have to face the fact that on a 'push me, pull you' railway the concept of running around stock has long gone and with it the track layout to facilitate it. So aside from all the diesel debates it's just plain difficult to have a train on the network with a source of motive power at one end only. Track triangles are rapidly becoming vital pieces of infrastructure for charters.
     
    Big Al, Jun 28, 2024
    #3
  4. Michael Whitehouse

    Michael Whitehouse New Member

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    Thanks for all your positive comments. We are going to do what we can to ensure Tourist class leads at least one way over the Devon banks on The Mayflower. Please watch the website
     
    Michael Whitehouse, Jun 28, 2024
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  5. 16Ventnor

    16Ventnor Member

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    Thanks Michael, we too are booked in Tourist for the Mayflower so that's encouraging to hear. For Sunday's trip from Worcester I guess the best we can hope for is lots of assistance from the rear or even the DL tucked in behind the loco. This hot weather is just bad timing especially as we're booked on the Scarborough as well. We got away with the Cathedrals Express....just. We totally understand NR's position though. Neil
     
    16Ventnor, Jun 28, 2024
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  6. 5944

    5944 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Vintage Trains have announced that the Birmingham - Bristol leg of The Mayflower in September will be worked by a pair of class 20s.
     
    5944, Jul 28, 2024
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  7. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Looking forward to the upcoming Mayflower to Plymouth. I presume that the water carrying GUV will go along to help with any stops on the way from Bristol. Does anyone know how much water is carried in the GUV when full?
     
    Big Al, Sep 11, 2024
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  8. 2857Harry

    2857Harry Member

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    As far as I’m aware 3000 Gallons.
     
    2857Harry, Sep 11, 2024
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  9. Leviathan

    Leviathan New Member

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    With a double headed train, are both locomotives able to draw on the water in the GUV?

    Nick M.
     
    Leviathan, Sep 11, 2024
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  10. dublo6231

    dublo6231 Member

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    Evening all,

    Wasn't sure if this would deserve its own Tour thread - so feel free to spin off to a new one if needed.

    I note that some initial timings have appeared for VT's double headed Castles tour "The Mayflower"

    Looks like support diesel shadowing the tour:

    Bristol - Plymouth - 0Z21 - https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U28024/2024-09-27/detailed

    Plymouth - Bristol - 1Z22 - https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U28028/2024-09-27/detailed

    Plymouth - Bristol - 0Z24 - https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U28029/2024-09-27/detailed

    On board from Birmingham and really looking forward to this tour - hoping no single figures on Dainton and stalling on Hemerdon on this one!

    Here's hoping the weather holds...
     
    dublo6231, Sep 19, 2024
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  11. Western Venturer

    Western Venturer Well-Known Member

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    So 47 on back of 20s down to Bristol, 47 shadows train to Plymouth and back then on back of 20s to Birmingham or 20s shadow the train and no 47 involved at all??
     
    Last edited: Sep 21, 2024
    Western Venturer, Sep 19, 2024
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  12. free2grice

    free2grice Part of the furniture Friend

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    Timings for the 'Mayflower' railtour and associated moves. <BJ>

    Thurs. 0Z20 12;00 Kidderminster to Tyseley Steam Trust
    https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U28019/2024-09-26/detailed

    Thurs. 5Z20 09;50 Tyseley Steam Trust to St Philips Marsh
    https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U28020/2024-09-26/detailed

    Friday:

    5Z20 05;53 Tyseley Steam Trust to Birmingham New Street
    https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U02821/2024-09-27/detailed

    1Z21 Birmingham New Street to Plymouth
    https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U28022/2024-09-27/detailed -

    5Z21 09;00 St Philips Marsh HSTD to Bristol East Depot Dgl
    https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U28023/2024-09-27/detailed

    0Z21 09;42 Bristol East Depot Dgl to Laira Tmd Fuel Road
    https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U28024/2024-09-27/detailed

    0Z22 13;43 Plymouth to Plymouth
    https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U28026/2024-09-27/detailed

    5Z22 13;49 Plymouth to Plymouth
    https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U28025/2024-09-27/detailed

    0Z23 14;55 Plymouth to Plymouth
    https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U28027/2024-09-27/detailed

    1Z22 16;32 Plymouth to Birmingham New Street
    https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U28028/2024-09-27/detailed

    0Z24 16;55 Laira Tmd Fuel Road to Bristol Temple Meads
    https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U28029/2024-09-27/detailed

    5Z23 20;05 Bristol Temple Meads to Tyseley Steam Trust
    https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U28030/2024-09-27/detailed

    5Z25 22;54 Birmingham New Street to Tyseley Steam Trust
    https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U28031/2024-09-27/detailed

    Monday:

    0Z24 11;09 Tyseley Steam Trust to Kidderminster S.V.R.
    https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U28032/2024-09-30/detailed

    Thanks to John and Simon C
     
    Last edited: Sep 26, 2024
    free2grice, Sep 23, 2024
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  13. NathanP

    NathanP Member

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    The outward journey still isn't on RTT, but the final confirmation email from VT has arrived this morning with the confirmed timings within it.

    New St: 0634/2246
    Barnt Green: 0659/2221
    Worcestershire Parkway: 0720/2159
    Cheltenham Spa: 0742/2137
    Bristol Parkway: 0848/2049
    Bristol Temple Meads: 0949/1958
    Plymouth: 1338/1632

    Been a while since I've travelled with VT so it's curious to see I'm in Coach P. Given that there will probably only be 7 or 8 passenger coaches, the numbering system seems interesting!
     
    NathanP, Sep 25, 2024
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  14. Leviathan

    Leviathan New Member

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    We are in Coach F (Tourist Class). I would imagine that the pair of Castles could manage a few more than 7 or 8 passenger coaches if the demand required it.

    Nick M.
     
    Leviathan, Sep 25, 2024
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  15. Where's Mazeppa?

    Where's Mazeppa? Member

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    Worth checking your travel plans if you are joining this excursion. As a precaution, I have confirmed the above times with VT by phone, because the email actually quotes two different departure times. In my case, joining at Worcestershire Parkway, departure was originally quoted as 07.55, now updated to 07.20 - 35 minutes earlier. The above updated times are the correct version.
    This might seem a trivial point, but I could just imagine the massive disappointment if any intending passenger overlooked this apparent contradiction and didn't allow sufficient time to join the train with it's earlier departure.
    Should be a brilliant trip!
     
    Where's Mazeppa?, Sep 25, 2024
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  16. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    I'm also in F and looking forward to one of those rare occasions when steam is able to haul the train on its own. I feel sure that behind the scenes quite a lot of work took place to make it happen.

    I see that the Castles will be put on the train at Bristol East suggesting that there just was not enough platform time available to do it at Temple Meads. And I guess that everyone will get a 'sea wall' opportunity as it looks as though the whole train will be turned at Laira. Happy to swap my seat with someone who wants a sea wall each way as GWR mileposts are not visible at the best of times in the undergrowth, never mind from the wrong side! :)
     
    Big Al, Sep 25, 2024
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  17. Enterprise

    Enterprise Part of the furniture

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    It's looking chilly on Friday. How do VT heat the train?
     
    Enterprise, Sep 25, 2024
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  18. Leviathan

    Leviathan New Member

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    I think the stock is dual heated, so no problem on the steam legs, but do the Class 20s have ETS?
    Nick M.
     
    Leviathan, Sep 25, 2024
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  19. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    By having two Castles up front to give everyone that warm inner feeling....
     
    Big Al, Sep 25, 2024
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  20. NathanP

    NathanP Member

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    Just wear several layers of clothing. Standard practice for me when I go on railtours at this time of year. If it turns out the heating does actually work then you can take some layers off.
     
    NathanP, Sep 25, 2024
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