Bath Spa Expresses

free2grice · Post by **free2grice** » Wed Sep 14, 2011 11:02 pm

Robin Summerhill wrote:What happened?? The A4 doesn't look particularly "lively"!!

Apparently, the coal lorry failed to turn up at Poole. No plan B. Very poor. <BJ>

jules · Post by **jules** » Thu Sep 15, 2011 12:06 am

Apparently, the coal lorry failed to turn up at Poole. No plan B. Very poor.

If I learned one thing during my years as a Charter Train opo, the most essential thing you need is a "Plan B".

Even if it is only the lone water tap on Hellifield station ... capable of pacifying both chefs and loco crew alike during an extended layover.

Surprisingly, getting water for kitchens, toilets and the odd steam loco was one of the biggest challenges. Network Rail has created a desert out there.

Beware the evils of Mk I/II stock. It is not the same length as Mk III, so even if you do find water (such as at Kings X) you have to shunt the train up and down - not possible when 650 drunken ladies from Newcastle are re-boarding after their Xmas day out in London.

Why do you have to shunt MkI/II stock just to get water for those all essential toilets? The hoses at Kings X are short and stubby to stop you squirting it at the 25kV overhead! And the staff are brainless jobsworths who know nothing about operating anything out of the ordinary ... As always, it is all down to forethought and pre-planning!

And in the case of Kings X, a bit of attitude and the threat of some healthy fisticuffs (and the arrival of a few BTP officers to restore some common sense amongst the regular staff!)

Oh how I miss it!

mow · Post by **mow** » Thu Sep 15, 2011 2:06 am

Full tender and off it goes.

free2grice · Post by **free2grice** » Sat Sep 17, 2011 9:41 am

A very nice photograph taken by Stephen Moore of the train approaching the summit at Upton Scudamore. <BJ>
http://www.railwayherald.org/imagelink/206468

mow · Post by **mow** » Sat Sep 17, 2011 11:11 am

This amused me, someone out there has recreated Wednesday's train in OO.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8mDNb4U ... ure=colike

Nice to see that something positive came of it.

chippy · Post by **chippy** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 7:55 pm

http://www.flickr.com/photos/byjr/6192793532/

chippy · Post by **chippy** » Wed Oct 05, 2011 1:06 pm

http://www.flickr.com/photos/byjr/6214060422/

chippy · Post by **chippy** » Wed Oct 05, 2011 5:21 pm

http://www.flickr.com/photos/byjr/6214102097/

mow · Post by **mow** » Wed Oct 05, 2011 8:01 pm

Twerton Tunnel this morning.

mow · Post by **mow** » Wed Oct 05, 2011 9:04 pm

Short clip at Twerton Tunnel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-TWCpoZmWc

mow · Post by **mow** » Sun Nov 20, 2011 7:45 pm

Was looking at Heritage Railway Magazine which mentioned that the 'E' had fallen off Bittern's tender on Sept 14 (when it ran out of coal) - own up - who else noticed?

I didn't until today.

The Bristol Railway Archive

Bath Spa Expresses

britannia...wed 28th.

britannia...5th.oct.

britannia...5th.oct return leg