The Midlander. 18.2.06. Now With Pics!
Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2006 12:05 pm
http://www.past-timerail.co.uk/midlander.htm
Saturday 18th February 2006.
The infamous Lickey incline is the main feature of this railtour as ex LMS 4-6-2 No. 6201 æPrincess Elizabeth' hauls this railtour from Derby to Bristol and return.
Leaving St Albans in the morning we head northwards along the Midland Main Line making further passenger pick ups en-route. On arrival at derby No 6201 æPrincess Elizabeth' will be waiting to haul our train onwards towards the city of Bristol. Leaving Derby we steam towards Birmingham passing through Tamworth. We avoid Birmingham New Street and steam towards Barnt Green at the summit of the Lickey Incline. The 1 in 37 descent of the Lickey will see the train being braked hard to control our descent as we head for Cheltenham Spa. Once through Cheltenham we avoid Gloucester before heading through Bristol Parkway and arriving at Bristol Temple Meads.
Bristol is an exciting City with plenty to offer the visitor. What really makes it special is the mix of historic and new. Located in Isambard Kingdom Brunel's historic Old Bristol Station next to Temple Meads is the British Empire and Commonwealth Museum presenting the dramatic 500 tear history of the rise and fall of Britain's overseas empire offering 16 permanent and inter-active galleries, changing special exhibitions a cafe and shop. From Temple Meads Station a short bus ride or 25 minute walk will take you to Harbourside. This re-generated area is home to Brunel's steam ship SS Great Britain. The Dockyard Museum charts the ships history and the ship itself is bought to life through audio tours. Also at Harbourside you will find the Industrial museum and At-Bristol which comprises three new world-class attractions bringing science, nature and art to life. Of course you can always shop until you drop in the City Centre or simply spend your time train spotting at Temple Meads.
The return journey will see 6201 working hard as we climb out of Bristol Temple Meads before retracing our outward steps. Once through Bromsgrove all the power æPrincess Elizabeth' can muster will be required as she attacks the incline. Both loco and footplate crew will work extremely hard to power the train to the summit. Once over the summit we steam on through the suburbs of Birmingham before arriving back at Derby. On arrival at Derby we bid farewell to Princess Elizabeth.
With a diesel loco in charge of our train we head back to St Albans setting down as outward.
Saturday 18th February 2006.
The infamous Lickey incline is the main feature of this railtour as ex LMS 4-6-2 No. 6201 æPrincess Elizabeth' hauls this railtour from Derby to Bristol and return.
Leaving St Albans in the morning we head northwards along the Midland Main Line making further passenger pick ups en-route. On arrival at derby No 6201 æPrincess Elizabeth' will be waiting to haul our train onwards towards the city of Bristol. Leaving Derby we steam towards Birmingham passing through Tamworth. We avoid Birmingham New Street and steam towards Barnt Green at the summit of the Lickey Incline. The 1 in 37 descent of the Lickey will see the train being braked hard to control our descent as we head for Cheltenham Spa. Once through Cheltenham we avoid Gloucester before heading through Bristol Parkway and arriving at Bristol Temple Meads.
Bristol is an exciting City with plenty to offer the visitor. What really makes it special is the mix of historic and new. Located in Isambard Kingdom Brunel's historic Old Bristol Station next to Temple Meads is the British Empire and Commonwealth Museum presenting the dramatic 500 tear history of the rise and fall of Britain's overseas empire offering 16 permanent and inter-active galleries, changing special exhibitions a cafe and shop. From Temple Meads Station a short bus ride or 25 minute walk will take you to Harbourside. This re-generated area is home to Brunel's steam ship SS Great Britain. The Dockyard Museum charts the ships history and the ship itself is bought to life through audio tours. Also at Harbourside you will find the Industrial museum and At-Bristol which comprises three new world-class attractions bringing science, nature and art to life. Of course you can always shop until you drop in the City Centre or simply spend your time train spotting at Temple Meads.
The return journey will see 6201 working hard as we climb out of Bristol Temple Meads before retracing our outward steps. Once through Bromsgrove all the power æPrincess Elizabeth' can muster will be required as she attacks the incline. Both loco and footplate crew will work extremely hard to power the train to the summit. Once over the summit we steam on through the suburbs of Birmingham before arriving back at Derby. On arrival at Derby we bid farewell to Princess Elizabeth.
With a diesel loco in charge of our train we head back to St Albans setting down as outward.
