Once again 6024 showed her mettle with the latest in the Torbay Express season of trains. Many thanks to Martyn Bane for this report of the days running.
Another excellent run from 6024 despite having to be held back a little due to the fire risk. Permission to run was granted by lunchtime on Saturday much to our relief having missed out on the planned trip to Weymouth in July 29. So yet again Weymouth proved to be a destination too far for 6024! It was, for many, a disappointment that 60009 was unavailable for the trip but would the A4 have given a more exciting run than 6024?! The locomotive very much on top of the job all day. On the outward speeds in the low 70s were enough to get us into Taunton early only to be late away following delayed FGW HSTs - however taking advantage of the Torbay Express's Working Timetable status we didn't have to wait too long before getting the road. The climb of Whiteball was measured, not rushed, as befitted the conditions and was very much of the order of performance you can read about from the 1950s. Thanks to the recent very low water consumption water was not taken at Exeter but the stop did allow the late arrival to be turned into a right time departure. Amazing as it might seem in the hands of Inspector Hart, Driver Burns and Fireman Ewans just 1000 gallons was used between Taunton and Exeter! During the stop a BBC team joined us filming for series 3 of 'Coast', to be broadcast in April 2007. One camera was attached to a lamp bracket on the loco, another was held out of the support coach by a volunteered member of the support crew whilst the presenter and crew filmed from a compartment. With the weather on its best behaviour they should have some excellent footage to edit from. Problems at Aller Junction saw the train held at Newton Abbot whilst alternative arrangements were put in place which involved the train having to set back to gain access to the Paignton line. Thus arrival at Paignton was late. Here we bade farewell to the BBC crew. A slightly late arrival at Kingswear and thus shortened servicing time at Paignton saw the support crew working quickly to service the loco. Our thanks go to the Paignton and Dartmouth crew for assisting with this, especially so Driver Gingell for taking on the strenuous task of thoroughly cleaning the fire whilst everyone else busied themselves with other tasks. The quick work meant the return from Kingswear was away about right time in the glorious weather - what better locations exist of a steam railway in the UK?
At Paignton we again said hello to the combined talents of Inspector Jones, Driver Rees and Fireman Lewis. We were not to be disappointed! A stunning run up to Exeter saw us arrive 7 minutes early without once having to push the engine. 15% cut off and the merest hint of second valve on the regulator was enough to have 6024 ticking along at about 70mph on the flats approaching Exeter. At Exeter the tender was given the required top up whilst plenty of coal was moved forward for the assault of Whiteball. With everything ready well before the booked depature time an early depature was had, hot on the heals of a pair of FGW HSTs. The locomotive was, in customary fashion, set to the task quickly and with the diminished fire risk with a little more vigour than on the down run. Sadly the bridge clearance speed restriction near Cullompton followed by the booked pathing stop at Tiverton loops was to take the edge off the climb but there is little doubt the work prior to the slowing was first class. The rate of firing witnessed on the footplate underlines what a demanding job the fireman can have at times and how much thanks today's steam men deserve. The stop at Tiverton loops enabled a stuck drain cock to be attended to after which a more gentle run was made to Whiteball Tunnel - but none the less it was impressive and certainly in line with performances from the regular days of steam. With the speed at about 40mph into the tunnel rapid acceleration followed in the tunnel. With the engine wound out a bit to (again) confirm the effectiveness of the spark arresting speed was very quickly at a mile a minute before use was made of the down grades to reach the maximum allowed speed and an early arrival at Taunton. On the up the Exeter - Taunton section saw just 1500 gallons used with the additional 500 gallons over the down being attributable to the more stop start nature and the stop at Tiverton when it was hard to keep the loco quiet on the excellent Russian coal! So not needing any water 6024 was soon underway again, initially following a service train. Running was again up over 70mph very rapidly with chunks being taken out of the timetable as each timing point was passed. Having set down passengers at Weston Super Mud we were all treated to an excellent finale. The now customary rapid acceleration was used to great effect and the drizzle now falling meant the engine could be driven without fear of setting a fire. So the climb to Flax Bourton was taken with such contempt for the gradient it has to be asked where was the grade?! In the end the Torbay Express arrived at Bristol Temple Meads 35 minutes ahead of time.
With the continuing hot weather conditions and the associated potential fire risk, this run was looking high likely to have diesel assistance. However, to the delight of the crews, promoter & passengers, an eleventh hour decision after some rain and cooler temperatures on Sunday morning saw 6024 going solo with the Torbay Express.
The Bristol crew of Paul Burns & Geoff Ewans took things easy to Weston Super Mare, sensibly not wishing to push too hard in the conditions. Not that this showed in the performance, a four minute deficit at Weston was soon an on time arrival at Taunton, the 15 miles between Highbridge and Creech being cover at between 65 and 72 mph. With the watering done and all passengers on board a 3 minutes early departure from Taunton gave some breathing room between us and the following service for the climb to Whiteball, which was not going to be taken with the usual gusto. Still, from 48 mph through Wellington speed only dropped to 29mph at the tunnel mouth with really no increased effort from the front end. On the down grades to Exeter the chance was taken to make up time and even with a signal stop just outside Exeter St David's it was an on time arrival, proving some good loco/time management by the EWS team. The sea wall section to Newton Abbott is all about the scenery, holiday makers waving, the sweeping curves & tunnels rather than performance and we cruised along to a 5 minute early arrival in Paignton.
The return journey once again saw the Newport men at the controls and running along the sea wall section was again punctuated with signal checks around Langstone Rock and Starcross. No chance of an early getaway this week with other services running late and so 6024 pulled out 5 minutes down from Exeter for the return run up to Whiteball. Again, the loco was kept in check owing to the conditions, speed on average about 10mph down on the previous week. Still, with so little power being put through the front end we were still bowling along in fine fashion. We were put into Tiverton Loop this time for a following HST and there was some delay in letting us go once the service passed. Once let out onto the mainline though Tom Rees made for the hill summit, expertly coaxing the train to 42 mph within 2 miles on the rising grades and then only dropping 1 mph on the next 3 miles to the summit.! Fantastic stuff.! With the loco's current water consumption rates proving excellent the water stop at Taunton was missed (likewise at Exeter on the outward journey) so an 8 minute deficit arriving at Taunton became a 2 minute early departure. Once again, this section of track to Weston Super Mare provides some great running, the loco simply cantering along mile after mile, barely a noise at the front end as we cruised in the mid 70's. It was a welcome return to Didcot's Bob Cotterall on the footplate for the run to Bristol and although the climb to Flax Bourton wasn't as vigorous as last week it was no less impressive as we ran on into Bristol and a 3 minute early arrival, another excellent performance by loco and crew in the conditions.
The Society held its Annual General Meeting last Saturday in Bristol. A good turn out heard that membership numbers are up and that the locomotive is running well with plenty of work. A tour around the original Brunel trainshed building was arranged for members after the meeting. Once again, the chairman failed to win the six monthly prize draw.! Here's the board in full flight (or are some of them asleep).? (Picture)
118 - 118.? Well, maybe not, unless of course you're the summer 1960 timetabled 9.20pm Penzance to Paddington service (Saturday's only, if required). So, what are these numbers all about apart from keeping the bugs off the smokebox door.? Well, basically, in the 1950's & early 60's British Railways Western Region trains had a 3 digit reporting number. What we try and to is replicate the correct number for the route or train using these numbers (as some of us think it looks good on the engine). So, although the "Torbay Express" would have carried 146 (down) and 520 (up), the Torbay Express didn't actually go through Bristol Temple Meads between Paddington and Kingswear, as it would have travelled via the Berks & Hants line. So chance for a bit a "support crew licence" and some different numbers. On last Sunday's run (16th July) we used 705, which was the Summer 1956 9.05am Saturday Swansea to Kingswear service (which would have been routed via Bristol Temple Meads). So, keep and eye out for what numbers we put up this coming Sunday.
6024 was back at the head of Past Time Rail's Torbay Express on Sunday. The first of 10 runs (8 for 6024) to the English Riviera, the society standing in at the 11th hour owing to Tangmere being unfortunately unavailable. It was a few hectic days prior to the run to get the crosshead re-fitted and prepare the loco, but after a 7am test run up to Bristol Parkway and back to check the repairs to the crosshead the loco was turned and arrived in Bristol Temple Meads platform 4 ready for the run.
Five minutes early arriving at Taunton for the water stop, running had been effortless, the loco reeling off the miles along the Somerset levels in fine fashion. Departure from Taunton provides a sterner test as the grades stiffen to Whiteball summit, but the Bristol crew made a measured climb and we were soon running in the 70's towards the second service stop at Exeter. The waves were lapping along the sea wall at Dawlish as the train progressed onwards and with some fine running along this section a swift arrival in Paington for the connection to the P&DSR. Here those of us on support crew duty headed for the shade and an ice-cream or two while the train continued onto Kingswear, the loco then returning after turning at Churston for servicing at Paington.
Good time was made on the way to Aller Junction and consequently the train was held at a red signal near Parson's tunnel owing to a stopping service in Dawlish. With this service tucked in at Dawlish Warren, 6024 was opened up and was soon gaining speed along the curves past Cockwood harbour and Starcross before arriving smartly into Exeter for water. With the servicing completed quickly an early departure was sought and Exeter panel agreed to let us go after the 19.23 Voyager service with the instructions to make a good run if we were to get a clear road to Taunton and by-pass the pathing stop in Tiverton loop. The loco & crew were up to the challenge and speed was maintained in the mid 60's on the rising grades. Slowing for the bridge restriction near Tiverton, Newport's Tom Rees soon had the loco back to work accelerating the train to the mid 50's at the top of the summit. Another quick servicing stop at Taunton and the 20 mins we had gained were kept as an early departure from Taunton saw the level section to Weston Super Mare taken in the mid 70's, once again reeling off the miles with barely a burble from the front end. The last leg to Bristol is always an interesting test with the grades rising from Yatton up to Flax Bourton. A last challenge for a tired fireman and tired fire perhaps, but that was not the case this time. Tom once again had 6024 singing sweetly in the high 60's through Yatton and the Nailsea, but just went you thought the up hill grade would begin the tell, Tom found another gear on the loco who dug her heels in to sail over the crest at 71mph. A rousing end to a great day, 20 minutes early into Bristol Temple Meads to bid farewell to a happy group of passengers.
6024 will be hauling this Sunday's (16th) Torbay Express.
The loco is once again tucked away in EWS's Bristol Barton Hill depot, home for the next 2 months. Some general maintenance was carried out this weekend, mainly revolving around the removal of the outside left hand crosshead for remetalling.
A prestigious day for the society as the loco hauled the VSOE British Pullman stock from Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads for the Institute of Civil Engineers as part of their Brunel Bicentenary Conference. Several leading figures from the engineering community were on board, along with Sir Neil Cossons, Chairman of English Heritage and Lord Gladwyn, Brunels great, great grandson. The loco performed faultlessly throughout arriving just slightly late at Bristol due to an extended water stop at Challow. BBC Points West ran a 7 minute feature on the journey, interviewing the guests and also showing the loco at Paddington, Challow, Box tunnel and Bristol Temple Meads. A great day out for all, even if the weather did its best to spoil most of the photos (check out the gallery section).
Unfortunately this weekend's trip to Plymouth has been postponed due to pathing problems. Please check with the promoter (Railway Touring Company).
