Class 31 to Severn Beach 16TH MAY

[James]

It's on!

"31128 will be visiting Severn Beach tomorrow 1430-1500 might run a bit early
we depart Exeter 1205!"

Thanks to Virgin's Finest on SWRG for the advance warning!

[James]

Tuesday 16th May - Actual timings in bold

0Z31
1205 Exeter St Davids DMU Sidings
1213 Exeter St Davids
1230 Tiverton Parkway 1223
1243-1255 Taunton
Bridgwater 1246
1324 Worle
Yatton 1313
1345 Bristol Temple Meads dep 1343
1356-1414 Clifton Down 1353-1411
1425 Avonmouth
1432-1507 Severn Beach
1514 Avonmouth
1524 Clifton Down
1600 Bath Spa
1614 Chippenham
1630-1703 Swindon
1721 Kemble
1749 Gloucester
1822 Severn Tunnel Junction
1840 Newport
1859-1902 Cardiff Central
1922 Newport
1937 Severn Tunnel Junction
1953 Filton Abby Wood
2016 Bath Spa
2035 Westbury
2058 Castle Cary
2126 Taunton
2138 Tiverton Parkway
2200 Exeter St Davids
2208 Exeter St Davids DMU Sidings

Actual timings from SWRG, mostly LizardGen.

[James]

This now seems to have fallen off the edge of the world

[James]

Looks like it came south again after the Severn Beach trip, not going to Gloucester or Cardiff! It's now in Taunton platform 6 (Up bay) and apparently will be leaving at "around midday", hopefully after I have taken pictures and seen the start-up!

Anyone get any pics of 31128 on its travels? Loco to Severn Beach is pretty rare!*



*units to Severn Beach aren't that common either...

[stumpytrain]

I have been sent a couple (not my photos)....









Enjoy!

Alex
Bristol PSB

[James]

Cheers Alex!

[AndyK]

Nice pics, thanks. The Class 31 looks good in that livery.

What puzzles me is: I thought it was compulsory for locos to have full yellow ends (which I think are hideous). Has that been changed?

[simon]

Great pictures wish i had had the chance to see it, can't remember last time I saw a loco on that line - well ok it was before 1976!!!

As to yellow fronts, no i don't think they can be compulsory: 66's def not all over yellow:

http://simon71.fotopic.net/p28876732.html

and on these units it's abit of an after thought....

http://simon71.fotopic.net/p28605843.html

[stumpytrain]

What puzzles me is: I thought it was compulsory for locos to have full yellow ends (which I think are hideous). Has that been changed?

There has never been a requirement for full yellow ends.

Alex
Bristol PSB

[DAVE]

I believe it is a requirement for all new locos to have yellow "ends"
The "amount" of yellow I am not clear about.
I have recently read that the new A1 pacific [steam] that is being built has had to apply for dispensation on this rule in order to run on the mainline.
What would look worse than a 4-6-2 steam engine running in BR green with a yellow smokebox etc!

Dave Nailsea

[simon]

What would look worse than a 4-6-2 steam engine running in BR green with a yellow smokebox etc!

Dave Nailsea

you mean like this:

http://fictitiousliveries.fotopic.net/p28468678.html


some great mock ups on this site, don't know how the owner has the imagination and skills to produce them, but well worth a study.

The Virgin livery steam engine in particular....

[dragonryder]

the fake liveries are really claver, love this one
http://fictitiousliveries.fotopic.net/p26139785.html

[DAVE]

Great to see the ficticious liveries I hate to think what condition some would be after a trip through the Severn tunnel, OK for diesels but definately not steam!

Dave Nailsea