6th August 2011

NENTA Traintours
The West Countryman

Route :
1Z88 : Norwich to Minehead
1Z89 : Minehead to Norwich

Notes :
(1) NENTA’s brochure billed this as 'A West Countryman Festival' however the literature on the train, and the headboard proclaimed it as 'The West Countryman'. Off train options were a shuttle DMU to Norton Fitzwarren Steam Fair or change to West Somerset Steam service.
(2) 47804 on rear.
(3) 47826 on rear.
(4) Alan Chilestone comments: A good trip with a slightly early arrival at Bishops Lydeard. However the train was help here so that it could pass a WSR train at Crowcombe. We were further delayed on the approach to Williton by 'A lineside equipment failure'. After a short time we were allowed through under a green flag. On departure from Diss on the return it was obvious that 47826 was providing power, pushing from the rear! I don't know how long this had been the case, but for most of the stops from Stratford onwards, the start had not been the smoothest. From about Manningtree or Ipswich they became smoother and more comfortable for the passengers. We stopped in the country between Stow and Diss, I looked out to see a green signal, whether this had just cleared I don't know but we made a slow and steady start, much like the one at Stowmarket and the subsequent one at Diss. When departing Diss, the guard blew the right away, the driver of 47804 sounded a horn then made a very slow and steady start.

Source : Alan Chilestone (joined/left the train at Diss)

Timings (Booked & Actual)
(from Alan Chilestone)

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