Saturday 7th December 2002
This, the final
tour of the first years programme, was just as important to as tour one. For the
first time Western Champion was used to bring over the empty coaches from
Bounds Green, the first Western on the Eastern since 12th February
1977!
Departure was
from platform 10 at 08.45 and we reached our first pathing stop at South Ruislip
24 minutes later. Once the Chiltern service train had passed we eased away but
unforunately it remained in our way throughout most of the journey! By the time
Princes Risbourough was reached we had achieved a maximum of just 66 mph. By
Banbury we were 16 minutes late and we waited a further 10 minutes again for
another Chiltern service and a Vigin Voyager to pass before getting our signal.
Once the trains had started to pull clear of us we could enjoy a little thrash
with 89 mph being achieved just before Leamington Spa. Because of the late
running we missed the Leamington pathing stop which put us still 16 minutes late
at Hatton. Birmingham New Street was reached 12 minutes late at 12.03.
A 2½ break
here allowed participents to take a liquid lunch whilst Western Champion
and stock ran to Bescot Yard for servicing. Our booked departure time from New
Street was 14.25 but we were delayed leaving Bescot awaiting a path between
diverted West Coast Main Line services. Passengers board quickly and we left 10
minutes late.
The route we
now took to Hereford was through Woverhampton, Wellington and Craven Arms, we
managed a top speed along this section of 89 mph at Ludlow. For those dining
dinner was served on leaving Hereford as we stormed Southwards towards Newport.
Turning left onto the Main Line we then headed for Gloucester and Swindon via
Sapperton Bank.
Didcot was
reached 4 minutes late but a full thrash departure saw sustained high speed
running with 91 mph touched at Pangbourne. Slowed at Tilehurst to go Up the
Relief line Reading was reached just 16 minutes after leaving Didcot! From
Reading we remained on the Relief until Slough then it was Main Line to
Paddington, arriving 11 minutes early.
All in all a
very successful first year and, despite the turbo blower fault on tour 4, we
managed to acheived what we set out to do. If you've been on all the tours your
mileage with Western Champion should read around 2147 miles although with
other work included the locomotive has itself reached 3672 ¼ miles for 2002.
Here’s to 2003!
D1015
waits to leave Paddington.
Western Champion on arrival at Banbury!
D1015
checked outside Shrewsbury.