This is the original forum of the Bristol Railway Archive that existed between 2003 and 2013. I finally rescued it after it seemed unrecoverable after a large crash. I have made it available for viewing. It is locked, all posts to the new version please!
There was a HST (led by 43132 i think) parked in the Bedminster down slow platform yesterday around 1:30. Yeah the DOWN slow...never seen a train in there before!
And then a bit later from my london-bound train I spotted an EWS 66(?) pulling a long line of Pullmans towards Temple Meads. Union Of South Africa was also parked in that depot just north of Temple Meads (what's it called?) where the Castle seems to be in permanent residence. She didn't appear to be in steam though so perhaps no Pullman duties for her that day
On Tuesday there was a lonely 153 sat in the siding beyond Temple Meads platform 15...a failure of some kind perhaps?
And back to today...what was pulling the flask train northwards around 12ish?
Union of South Africa works on the pullmans every wednesday at the moment. The Castle in Barton Hill is actually a Grange that was supposed to be working the pullmans but can't because it is out of gauge.
Can you imagine, a GWR engine out of gauge on the GWR, while an
A4 can do the trip!!
James wrote:A Grange? I thought they were all scrapped
And could you explain what is meant by out of gauge...the literal interpretation doesn't sound likely!
I think the kettle at Barton Hill is a castle myself.
I 'think' it's Earl Bathurst but don't quote me on that
The pullmans on wednesday were from the VSOE excursion. (Victoria - Bristol)
Union of South Africa is currently pulling the Torbay Express trains because the original engine booked to do the work, Bradley Manor, is considered to be too wide to go through the platforms at Taunton. So indeed, a GWR engine is too wide for the GWR but an A4 isn't
