7th August 2005

Past Time Rail
Torbay Express

Route:
1Z27 : Bristol Temple Meads to Kingswear
1Z28 : Kingswear to Bristol Temple Meads

Source : Sean Emmett

Tour Review
(from Sean Emmett)

King class loco 6024 has made amends for its failure the previous week on the Torbay Express, caused apparently by a fractured train air brake pipe under the footplate, by putting in a solid performance on the latest Torbay Express (Past Time Rail).

Away on time with load 10 reaching 47 mph through Parson St and 57 mph at the summit of the climb out of Bristol (MP 123). 75 mph reached before Nailsea and held until Huish LC beyond Yatton, but checked at Worle waiting for 158/150 combo to come off the Weston loop.

Super restart from Weston with 75 mph sustained through Highbridge and Bridgwater. Checked into Taunton waiting for the 150 on the 10.15 up local to clear the down side, otherwise even-time run was in prospect.

Water at Taunton, then held waiting late down HST and 158. Steady restart this time, loco not opened up until after Victory LC. 58 mph achieved through Wellington then 46 mph held through Whiteball Tunnel to the summit - not bad at all.

74 max before the frustrating platform clearance slack at Tivvy Parkway, then back into the 70 - 75 range until TSR over one of the Exe bridges.

Worrying announcement on arrival at Exeter for water stop - Australia only 13 runs to win at Edgbston test! Massive relief when later announced England had won by 2 runs.

More delays to service trains meant we got away ahead of the train we were booked to follow. Nice run along coast until severely checked into Newton Abbot. 67016 Rapid on Heathfield branch as standby in view of previous week's failure. It later followed us back to Bristol.

Despite tedious 30 min stop at Paignton waiting for the path onto the Torbay & Dartmouth we eventually arrived Kingswear 11 early.

Away 1 early on the return by my watch. Solid climb of Torre bank at 25 mph then held Aller Jn for up HST. Service trains still all over the place so we left Exeter ahead of time and missed the Tivvy loop pathing stop. However, more frustration as we slowed for the bridge clearance slack just west of there. Recovered to 53 mph after Tiverton Parkway before breasting Whiteball summit at 44 mph. No hurry on decent to Taunton.

Watering done, away from Taunton 13 early and into Weston 14 early having reached 75 again at Highbridge.

Checked at Worle Jn then accelerated to 68 mph after Yatton before minimum of 58 on long climb to MP 123. Slight check into Temple Meads but no complaints at 17 early arrival into platform 3.

Sean Emmett

Timings (Booked & Actual)
(from Sean Emmett)

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