Steam Excursion to Bristol today

[whole diary]

[Steve Bray]

For steam enthusiasts or casual observers, 'Princess Elizabeth' is on her way to Bristol today.

Passing Didcot at 1249, Swindon at 1325, Chippenham at 1340, Bath at 1353 and arriving Temple Meads at 1411. And returning at 1730, Bath at 1750, Chippenham at 1804, Swindon 1822, then via Didcot, Reading, Guildford, Redhill Croydon and onto Victoria.

[IndustryInsider]

Thanks, Steve

It's running on time on the outward journey and here's the full schedule for the return journey:

1Z85   17:36 Bristol Temple Meads to London Victoria

BrstlTM      17:36         
BrstlEJ      17:37         
NSmrstJ      17:38         
BathSpa    17:50   17:52         
Bthmptj      17:55         
Thnglej      18:03         
Chipnhm      18:04         
WtnBstJ      18:16         
Sdon         18:22         
Ufngtn       18:33         
Challow      18:37         
WantRd    18:42   18:55         
DidcotP      19:02         
RedgWJn      19:20         
Rdngstn      19:23         
RdngNJn      19:24         
RdngSJn   19:26   19:39         
Erly         19:43         
Woknghm      19:52         
Bckwatr      20:00         
NthCamp      20:06         
AldrsJS      20:07         
Ashh         20:09         
Guildfd   20:17   20:19         
ShalfdJ      20:22         
Shalfd    20:24   20:37         
Gomshal      20:48         
Reigate      21:03         
Redhill   21:09   21:11         
SNstJn       21:22         
Purley       21:23         
SCroydn      21:31         
ECroydn   21:33   21:35         
WndmlBJ      21:36         
Selhrst      21:43         
StrhCom      21:51         
Strethm      21:54         
Tulseh       21:58         
HerneH       22:02         
Brixton      22:03         
VoltRdJ      22:04         
GrvrBgJ      22:07         
VictriE   22:10

[John R]

Left Swindon 40 down following a problem between Challow and Swindon (which then resulted in a further delay as the trains it held up passed it.)

[inspector_blakey]

Are the three, 13-minute stops at Wantage Road, Reading South and Shalford water stops...? 13 minutes seems a bit tight to me but surely the loco won't make it from BRI^» (Bristol Temple Meads - next trains) to London on a single tender?

[Phil]

Just went through Bath a couple of minutes ago.

[IndustryInsider]

Has arrived at Temple Meads 48 minutes late.  Causing delays to normal FGW^▸ (First Great Western) trains in the process:

From the NR^» (Network Rail - home page) log:
Swindon PSB^▸ (Power Signal Box) advise that staff on 1Z84 0944 Victoria to Bristol TM^‡(resolve) (Steam) is at a stand at South Marston due to brake fault. 1C14 trapped in the rear. Swindon PSB will clear 1L55 and 1L58 on the Up before implementing reversible working.

I wonder how delay attribution works in the case of the West Coast Railway Company who'd soon go bust if the normal payment system for causing delays applied.  Anyone know?

[inspector_blakey]

Oh dear. WCRC's recent track record has not been good:
http://railwayeye.blogspot.com/search/label/West%20Toast%20Railway

I had thought that the charter operator was liable in the same way as any other TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company) would be, although I'm open to correction. In the case of the big guys like DB^» (Deutsche Bahn - German State Railway - about) Schenker I don't suppose this is a huge problem, but can see how it might be for West Coast. Maybe they carry some kind of insurance...?

[James Vertigan]

I saw it at Acton Main Line sidings this morning!

[Tim]

Charter operators are fined for knock-on delays to other operators.  Whether this is at the same rate as TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company) or FOCs^▸ (Freight Operating Company)  I do not know but they certainly do not get off scot free.