2x 20s Crewe-Plymouth - Mon 4th July (tomorrow)

Post by **James** » Sun Jul 03, 2005 6:42 pm

DRS 20s...I think they're on a route-learner...wish there were more times but it'll go through Bristol, right?

From SWRG:

0Z20 1200 Crewe to Plymouth due to arrive 1939.

Booked to return Tuesday Morning

Post by **James** » Mon Jul 04, 2005 4:32 pm

Any sign of the 20's yet up there? I have no idea how long it'll take

Post by **madhattie** » Mon Jul 04, 2005 4:43 pm

Last post I can see is this one:

'0Z20 20311+20315 down Abbotswood Junction 1421, 35 early.'

I'd make that around your way at about 4.30 depending on the signals coing back to life at Parkway!

Post by **James** » Mon Jul 04, 2005 4:57 pm

There are quite a few SWRG people between here and Bristol so hopefully there will be some warning

Are you going to get pics? They should be passing under your bridge

Post by **madhattie** » Mon Jul 04, 2005 5:09 pm

James wrote: Are you going to get pics? They should be passing under your bridge

We've currently got thunder & lighting and torrential rain! I don't like my camera getting wet! Would love a pic of 2X20s going under my bridge though..

Post by **madhattie** » Mon Jul 04, 2005 5:10 pm

Update from Sw gen:

'Message from The Lizard

0Z20 delayed north of Bristol Parkway, joining the backlog of delayed trains. Hasn't past Westerleigh junction as of 1605'

Apparently there is movement for trains heading in the Up direction, but nothing coming down yet.

Post by **James** » Mon Jul 04, 2005 5:14 pm

Still warm and sunny here...probably not for long though

Post by **madhattie** » Mon Jul 04, 2005 5:54 pm

This is on the move again now. Still north of Bristol though.

Post by **madhattie** » Mon Jul 04, 2005 6:20 pm

According to Steve on SWRG this has now been held at Stoke Gifford Yard while other delayed services get the road.

Post by **madhattie** » Mon Jul 04, 2005 6:25 pm

I'm off home now, so if it moves I won't be able to update you

(unless it's still stuck there at about 9pm when I next log on!)

Post by **James** » Mon Jul 04, 2005 6:25 pm

Might have time to eat dinner first then

Post by **James** » Mon Jul 04, 2005 9:00 pm

They went through Taunton at 19.17 according to my camera.

A FGW HST was sat in what is usually the through road (island platform 3) so the 20s had to go through platform 2 instead. I'd have got a better picture from platform 3 but that's the way it goes

http://mostlyrailways.fotopic.net/c603611.html

The driver opened up passing through the station so I got to hear that lovely growl, and the people waiting further down platform 2 got a lungful of blue smoke

Which 20 was leading?

Post by **James** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 10:37 am

20s return today!

0Z20 1000 Plymouth - Crewe

Newton Abbot 1048
Exeter 1125
Taunton 1215
Bristol Temple Meads 1311

Post by **James** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 2:12 pm

Why do DRS need to run a route-learner from Crewe to Plymouth? What are they planning on transporting there?

Post by **madhattie** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 6:08 pm

James wrote:http://mostlyrailways.fotopic.net/c603611.html

Beauties ain't they

make a lovely din. When I was a liitle 'un I used to spend a lot of time at Derby just so I could watch the 20s going through on MGR trains... (wipes tear from eye..)

Anyway, stood on the bridge at Lockleaze Road on my way home from work, but had to leave at ten to six otherwise my tea would have been burnt and the missus angry

I thought about trying to catch them today but was delivering in Midsomer Norton so took a detour to Clutton and got some pics of the station site there instead. Rain was horizontal though, so all the pics I took are facing north with my back to the rain. Another one for the 'must revisit' folder.

I'm not sure why they're route learning to Plymouth. I've seen the question asked on the gen groups, but if anyone knows they're not posting the answer.