Great Western Coffee Shop

Whilst planning my trip out next Saturday, 23rd September, to phot 35028 Clan Line on the Atlantic Coast Express steam railtour from London Victoria to Exeter, I noticed that the return leg is via Taunton, Westbury, MELKSHAM and Swindon. No timings have been confirmed yet.

http://www.ukrailtours.com/product/the-atlantic-coast-express/ (http://www.ukrailtours.com/product/the-atlantic-coast-express/)

Well, if GWR could give me any sort of hope that they might possibly be able to get me to Melksham and back next Saturday (given their recent abysmal performance on the TransWilts line), I would be delighted to get some pictures of that steam traction through Melksham.  :o

Nothing yet on RealTime Trains? Should appear there?

I'm sure it will ... though RTT data for trains that aren't scheduled passenger services tends to come up just a day or two ahead.

Times now on RTT:
Outward: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54504/2017/09/23/advanced
Return: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54507/2017/09/23/advanced

I think I'll head to Chard Junction to photograph.

Think I'll keep it local this time: Exeter Central for the outbound and Cullompton for the return.

35028 Clan Line at Chard Junction and Pinhoe.

(https://drive.google.com/uc?id=0B8VBuNEcQ7EgSERxRUgtd3p4WnM)

(https://drive.google.com/uc?id=0B8VBuNEcQ7EgVm1PVzdFeTIwMlE)

Carrying the wreath in memory of David Shepherd CBE.

Some trespassers on the old platform at Chard Junction. It's quite clearly fenced off and signed 'Do not trespass on the railway'. One chap came right side of the fence when I spoke up. I was ignored by others.

Mods. Should this topic be on the 'Railtours' board?

Clan Line approaching Crewkerne this morning. Thought about seeing it again at Athelney but it was running very early.

Had to wait for the single line through Frome though .. about 10 minutes late when I saw it

As BNM hijacked my home location, here is Clan Line at Exeter Central...
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4378/36560009294_cdb61493c2_o.jpg)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4472/37014172030_cb83ede0ff_o.jpg)

Saw her later at Silverton and it was good to see her 'at speed'.

Good to see everyone staying on the platform this time at Melksham...just!

Yes, borderline trespass at Melksham! Great pictures everyone.

I'd planned to go on to Honiton but spent too long walking the dog at Chard Junction. Just missed the departure from Honiton.

So, down the A30 to Pinhoe.

A couple of blokes hanging over the edge of the platform as it was due, who I requested to stand back; assured me they would as the train approached and they knew what they were doing; I was backed up by a rail contact I know who assure me in a loud voice that people wouldn't listen until someone misjudged that final second and gets hit.  As I videoed, I was torn between videoing the train and their last minute second step back; out of the corner of my eye that vital move was made (without trip, thank goodness) with the front of the locomotive about 20 yards away.

I took the opportunity as people left the platform to distribute timetables for "the trains that stop here", then chatted with passengers and awaited the late running final train of the day to Swindon.   7 on and 3 off; several individuals heading to see people for the evening and would be headed back by taxi because there's no late train, and those numbers would swell if there was a later train back.   Guestimate around 25 on train on leaving - 28/10

(http://www.wellho.net/pix/aftersteam20170923.jpg)

Of course those on the footplate aren't privy to that conversation and have no idea of linesiders' intentions and just see people close to the edge.  It isn't fair on them nor on the hundreds of others who obey the rules, use commonsense and stay the right side of the fence or place of safety on the platform.  To re-jig a phrase we often use - "Stop it - or lose it!"  It will only take a serious incident or two to put a question mark over continued main line steam.

A valid suggestion - so I have now moved this topic there.  :)