The Bristol Railway Archive

Recently restored A4 Pacific 60019 Bittern will be doing a loaded test run from Southall to BTM and return on Friday 7th September.

Dave Nailsea

Is this one of the moonlit flits down the mainline or will it be running during daylight?

Test run will be between 2300hrs and 0500hours.
Obviously this avoids pathing problems and also recovery problems if a failure occurs.
Also night time helps to see how well the spark arrestors are working.
Trip is scheduled from Southall via Badminton to Bristol and return via Bath.

Dave Nailsea

DAVE wrote:Trip is scheduled from Southall via Badminton to Bristol and return via Bath.

Do you know something that we don't? uksteam has the trip as via Chippenham in each direction. The timings being westbound 01:56-01:59 and 04:05-04:08 on the return. To be fair, the route could change while they're actually on the move. <BJ>

Im reliably informed that out via Badminton and return via Bath will require no complicated turning procedure in Bristol.

Dave Nailsea

DAVE wrote:Im reliably informed that out via Badminton and return via Bath will require no complicated turning procedure in Bristol.

That's true Dave and it does make sense. Test runs have run that way before with both Clan Line and Western Champion. <BJ>

I think it'll be coming in to Temple Meads. I was talking to a member of the traincrew this evening as to where we should put it for the best night time photographs in the trainshed. Though if it went round the rhubarb it wouldn't suprise me...

Alex

Times are now available here:

http://www.uksteam.info/tours/t07/t0907p.htm

stumpytrain wrote:I think it'll be coming in to Temple Meads. I was talking to a member of the traincrew this evening as to where we should put it for the best night time photographs in the trainshed. Though if it went round the rhubarb it wouldn't suprise me...

Alex

Nochance of an accidental misrouting occuring by the night shift or a mysterious point failure .

Will there be anyone out there determined enough to capture the A4 on the test run?

Or are members of this forum sane enough not to bother?

I'm thinking about giving it a go

I'd give it a go as its not as late/early as I thought but I'm away

Will you be able to get onto Temple Meads at that time?

The potential for an atmospheric night shot of Bittern at Temple Meads is tempting, assuming that access is possible and that you have a tripod and time release capability. It is a challenge to get good results.

Will the good burgers of Bath and Bristol enjoy hearing the chime whistle and distinctive exhaust of a speeding A4 in the middle of the night? It might unsettle some of the late night revellers.

They close the station now between the last train and the first time so there's a good chance you won't be able to access the station while she's lurking in the Temple Meads area.

Alex

There must be a tradesman entrance you can leave open for us Alex...right?

I'd wish I was in Bristol as I will almost certainly been there with my gear to attempt (at least) some sort of shot...