Engineer
Member
Saturday 24th July travelled on on RTC trip, using Southall based rake of West Coast railways coaches, to Minehead via Watchet.
Just like Galatea on the Cumbrian Mountain Express, incredible footplate crew and Jubilee locomotive performance, Bahamas easily maintaining 70 mph when allowed. On time arrival and double headed switched locomotives from Bishops Lydeard to Watchet. Icing on the cake was the return, top & tailed with Odney Manor and Foxcote Manor, vibrant exhaust up to Crowcombe. West Somerset line Railway stock & stations looked respondent and well worth a visit. Return to Westbury arrived 4 minutes early, water stop late switch from Pewsey main line, to Woodborough loop, explained by a level crossing failure delay putting a slower freight train on our path; causing our IZ54 to be held to let a Plymouth express pass. Thanks to Swindon Control green signals and help through the Thames Valley, the 50 minute delay was reduced to 32 minutes into Paddington; including a scheduled Slough Stop. Once again great Railway Touring Company customer service..
Just like Galatea on the Cumbrian Mountain Express, incredible footplate crew and Jubilee locomotive performance, Bahamas easily maintaining 70 mph when allowed. On time arrival and double headed switched locomotives from Bishops Lydeard to Watchet. Icing on the cake was the return, top & tailed with Odney Manor and Foxcote Manor, vibrant exhaust up to Crowcombe. West Somerset line Railway stock & stations looked respondent and well worth a visit. Return to Westbury arrived 4 minutes early, water stop late switch from Pewsey main line, to Woodborough loop, explained by a level crossing failure delay putting a slower freight train on our path; causing our IZ54 to be held to let a Plymouth express pass. Thanks to Swindon Control green signals and help through the Thames Valley, the 50 minute delay was reduced to 32 minutes into Paddington; including a scheduled Slough Stop. Once again great Railway Touring Company customer service..