23rd March 2019

Branch Line Society
The Marching Crompton II

Route :
1Z33 : Crewe to Weymouth
1Z34 : Weymouth to Crewe

Notes :
(1) 47851 on rear.
(2) John Clifford's comments: This was a charity tour raising money for “The Railway Children” charity. When first advertised the train was to travel via East Usk Yard on the outward journey rather than the return. Furthermore, at Llanwern we covered the Relief Line rather than the Service Line. On the day we were gaining on the schedule, hence the stop at Maindee East Jn to let the 08.30 Cardiff - Portsmouth pass. In Severn Tunnel Up Goods Loop the 09.00 Cardiff - Bristol passed us. Then at Filton No.2 Jn we were held for the 08.38 Westbury - Gloucester to cross our path. Next we found that there was a signal problem in the Bath area which meant that we were routed via the down line so missed out Bathampton Loop. Nevertheless we got back to running early but to no avail as we were behind 08.42 Gloucester - Weymouth (9 minutes late at Castle Cary) which delayed the 11.14 Weymouth - Gloucester at its crossing at Maiden Newton. Hence we waited for the 11.14 at Yeovil Pen Mill and left there 5 minutes late. There was some slow running into Weymouth (I don’t know why) and got there 4 minutes late. At Weymouth we were joined by D6515 from the Swanage Railway to double head the train back to Crewe. We arrived at Castle Cary early so waited for the 15.30 Taunton - Paddington to go ahead. The signal problem at Bath was continuing so we waited for the 16.30 Bristol - Paddington (8 minutes late) to clear the junction at Bathampton before proceeding down the up line. Since we were late we did not cover Westmoreland Road Goods Loop as expected. We proceeded on but stopped at Horton Road Jn as a problem had been reported by a passenger in one of the coaches. The coach was checked but nothing amiss found. Then we had to wait for the 18.01 Cheltenham - Swindon to go across our path. We continued onwards but were held in Lydney Loop for the 16.06 Nottingham - Cardiff to pass (3 minutes late).  We followed it and were checked by it at Chepstow and Caldicot. By this time we were over half an hour late. The time allowed to wait in East Usk Yard was not needed so we managed to make up about 20 minutes. This was lost in Abergavenny Loop where we were held for the 19.34 Cardiff - Llandudno Junction to pass (3 minutes late). Back to being about half an hour late we continued and made up some time. We were booked to stop in Sutton Bridge Loop but just went straight through the loop. This got us back to nearer the booked time. Crewe was reached only one and a half minutes late. Part of the stock and the two “Crompton’s” were used on the following day’s tour, “The Ruby Vampire II”.

D6515+33029 at Weymouth with the return leg (photo: Neil Bentley)

Source : John Clifford (on the tour throughout)

Timings (Booked & Actual)
(from John Clifford)

Associated E.C.S. & Light Engine Workings

22/03/19:
5Z32 : (33029 with 47851 on rear) : Carnforth to Crewe

23/03/19:
5Z32 : (47851 with 33029 on rear) : Crewe Down Refuge Siding to Crewe

0Z33 : (D6515) : Swanage to Weymouth Jersey Sidings

5Z33 : (47851 with 33029 on rear) : Weymouth to Jersey Sidings
5Z34 : (47851 with 33029 + D6515 on rear) : Jersey Sidings to Weymouth

5Z35 : (47851 with 33029 + D6515 on rear) : Crewe to Crewe Down Refuge Siding

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