John Betjeman - Centenary Train to Bristol

[AJR]

Centenary Train to Bristol in aid of The ParkinsonÆs Disease Society

Saturday 9 September 2006

The Great Western Band will be playing on platform one at Paddington Station. HRH The Duke of Gloucester will board the luxury Northern Belle Pullman, along with celebrity guests including, Sir Trevor McDonald, Rachel Stirling, Richard Briers and Jeremy Paxman. The train will leave Paddington at 10:10, and travel by steam to Bristol, one of John BetjemanÆs favourite cities. From here he made broadcasts for the BBC before, during and after the war, and went on to make nearly 40 television films. Brunch and BuckÆs Fizz will be served en route.

A grand celebration will take place at St Mary Redcliffe, one of the most beautiful churches in England. There will be a peal of bells, reputedly the best in the country, a forty strong choir and celebrity readings.

Andrew Motion will present the John Betjeman Young PeopleÆs Poetry Competition prizes. A three course dinner with champagne and wine will be served on the return journey to Paddington, arriving at 20:43.

Tickets: www.orient-express.com
Telephone: 0845 0772222

[DAVE]

Another trip for the KING!
Paddington/ BTM return with VSOE stock.
6024 is the obvious choice for this trip and a fast run down IKB,s GWR mainline should be guaranteed.

Dave Nailsea

[AJR]

Dave,

I know surprisingly little about trains (despite spending most of the week on them!) - what does VSOE stand for?

I assume that, in the context of the news story, OE represents 'Orient Express', but the first two letters...?

Cheers,

Andrew

[Roger]

The VS of VSOE is "Venice Simplon".

[DAVE]

I slight mistake on my part reference the VSOE stock being used for this trip, the stock will be the Northern Belle set [VSON] from the 1930,s.

Dave Nailsea

[mow]

This link shows the timings for King Edward I's run to Paddington from Barton Hill on Friday 8th Sept.

http://www.uksteam.info/tours/t06/t0908p.htm

timings for the Parkinson Soc Special or SIR JOHN BETJEMAN CENTENARY SPECIAL on Saturday 9th Sept

http://www.uksteam.info/tours/t06/t0909a.htm

Thsi link shows the King's move to Bishop Lydeard on Monday the 11th Sept.

http://www.uksteam.info/tours/t06/t0911p.htm

[mow]

I was over in Bath this morning and saw the King and support coach at Sydney Gardens about 10.05, then again at Bathampton Loop, as it left there at 10.29.

Whilst waiting at Bathampton, I also noticed a short train topped and tailed by a pair of blue Class 37s. 37606 was the leading engine, it might be part of a Network Rail Measuring train. Three minutes after it left, 6024 headed off towards Chippenham and London.

Have posted some photographs see link below.

http://michael527.fotopic.net/

[James]

Oh! This is tomorrow as well!

In that case I will ride on a GNER HST, go to the Clifton Rocks Railway open day, and see the King at Temple Meads!

[James]

AND the Harbour Railway will be open...with crane demonstrations too!

Look at all this!

http://www.bristoldoorsopenday.org/

[Malc]

Great Photos, can someone tell me where this loco was turned before Returning To Bristol TM.

[Malc]

Sorry I should have said when this loco was on the Kingswear Run.

[mow]

I think that KE I was turned round at Churston on the Paignton and Dartmouth Railway, It would run tender first from Kingswear to Churston, and be turned round. Then it runs tender first back to Kingswear.

[BristleGWR]

A couple of photo's of 6024 at Twerton with the Sir John Betjemen Centenary Special.

[mow]

I liked the photographs from Twerton Tunnel, the first in particular.

I went over to Bathampton and wandered along the canal path and took pictures from an overbridge at Bathwick. At some point later this evening, they can be viewed from the link below.

http://michael527.fotopic.net/

[BristleGWR]

Thanks Michael, look forward to seeing your photographs later.