WELSH MARCHES EXPRESS

BristleGWR · Post by **BristleGWR** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 12:28 pm

Saw 6201 at Lockleaze this morning.

Post by **madhattie** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 12:30 pm

Were you stood on a table or chair? Someone was when I drove past at ten to nine!

BristleGWR · Post by **BristleGWR** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 1:00 pm

No!! I got there at about 9.20, about a dozen people were there when it passed. I was the one on the bike!!

I went over to Winterbourne last night to try and see it on it's light engine run into Bristol, although I wasn't expecting to see it as my brother reported that he didn't see it at Swindon. But whilst I was there between about 7.15 and 7.35, 3 consecutive freight trains passed heading east. The frist I think was coal, the second Murco and the third a mixed freight (don't know if there was others before/after), is this a normal occurance for a Friday night?

Rich_Eason · Post by **Rich_Eason** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 2:25 pm

Was at Pilning this morning, and the photos arnt worth sharing as the sun spoilt the fun.

Looks like though there is a speed restriction on the down line as a number of passing trains went by very slow, no more than 30mph.

Worthy of not was the FGW HST which went through at about 10mph absolutly rammed crammed with people all stood down the coaches and in the vestibules....what a fun trip that would have been!

BristleGWR · Post by **BristleGWR** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 12:53 pm

6201 seen climbing up to Cattybrook in the very last of the evening sun.

free2grice · Post by **free2grice** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 4:41 pm

Nice shots fellas. What a beautiful day!!

In the morning I went to Lawrence Hill to see the train blast through the station. Just before the train was due, a Virgin train ran through on ambers and then the signals went to red for quite a long time. We wondered if there was a trespass incident further up the line. At last the signal changed to green and Lizzy powered through the station in an amazing manner. How lucky we are to see steam trains in 2007 on our doorstep.
Later in the day I went over to the Welsh Marches. I met a chap and he showed me an area of Llanvihangel bank where the line had been cleared of trees and bushes for about half a mile thus reintroducing scenes that had not been seen for about 25 years. Lizzy appeared just before 18:00 and what a sight to behold. Not a cloud in the sky ....fantastic!! Then it was a drive back to Pilning to see the train for the last time heading back to Bristol TM.

Happy days. <BJ>

Shazz · Post by **Shazz** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 5:09 pm

Rich_Eason wrote:Worthy of not was the FGW HST which went through at about 10mph absolutly rammed crammed with people all stood down the coaches and in the vestibules....what a fun trip that would have been!

that'll be the rugby supporters making my life hell again

mow · Post by **mow** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 10:38 pm

Decided to go on this trip, the engine sounded as if it was in top condition. Noticed large numbers of people at Pilning on the return run.

Have started to add some pictures from the journey, but had few oportunities to take shots from the train.

http://michael527.fotopic.net/c1371109.html

free2grice · Post by **free2grice** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 9:17 am

'Welsh Marches Express'
Saturday, 13th October.
Timings are identical to the tour on 15th September.
Hopefully the weather will be just as good. <BJ>

Rich_Eason · Post by **Rich_Eason** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 12:50 pm

Lets hope!

I'll be out there and hoping the weather wont be as windy or cloudy as last time

mow · Post by **mow** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 1:28 pm

Mist, more mist and even more mist.

Went over to Pilning in the end, and was amused to read that it is a no smoking station. At least the shelters now have perspex, with no smoking signs. Must have been 25 people there this morning to see the Princess.

My shots are below.

http://michael527.fotopic.net/c1387928.html

Rich_Eason · Post by **Rich_Eason** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 4:36 pm

Was up at the brickworks this morning bit furthter up the line and again mist mist and more mist got some pics but not sure if they are worth sharing as they arnt the sharpest...but what the hell

Was going well though!

Top pics as always Mow!

mow · Post by **mow** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 12:09 pm

Nice clear shot Rich at Cattybrook, good white exhaust! Had thought about going there yesterday, but was surprised how quickly the mist came back. Looked at a couple of the shots of the Voyager and the preceeding freight and wondered if I would get any pictures of Princess Elizabeth.

Rich_Eason · Post by **Rich_Eason** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 4:32 pm

Initially I wasnt going to bother and just head up to FAW, however it was so cloudy thought what the hell. Coming over the top at Over Lane looking down down and just seeing the pea soup thought about turining back....but obvioulsy didnt.

The freight you mention is that the Freightling heading towards Bristol? I caught a glimps of it going under the A38 the Patchway end of the tunnels.

free2grice · Post by **free2grice** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 7:02 pm

That must have been the 66.5xx at Filton AW hauling the Freightliner hoppers full of stone. I'm glad that wasn't passing when Lizzy appeared. <BJ>