7029: Bath and Bristol For Christmas...

Good morning all. For todays episode of "Through The Support Coach Window" we were off to Bath for the popular Christmas Market. After setting down passengers, the train would continue on to Bristol Temple Meads and latterly St Philips Marsh depot for servicing. I arrived at a dimly lit Tyseley just before dawn, with 7029 already having backed outside the shed on five road. The Class 47 (which would tail us to Bristol) was ticking over impatiently alongside, ready to perform a shunt release so that the Castle could move to the head of the stock. The diesel was also providing the much needed ETH (electric train heating) as some of the visiting rolling stock doesn't have steam heat apparatus fitted. Here, "Clun" is lit by the fuel depot flood lighting...

Not long after 07:00, "Clun" was feathering loudly in the middle road with the train now coupled on behind. The 47 would lead us out of Tyseley and over the canal, before we reversed to steam through the goods loop and await the signal to depart onto the main line. Departure from 84E was scheduled for 08:21...

At this point I was told I could travel with the crew to Banbury if I wanted, which of course I duly accepted with wide open arms! Chatting to Fireman Tom, I joked that it was mostly downhill to Oxford...his reply suggested quite the opposite! I've done this run before, coming the other way though, on "Edgcumbe" up Hatton Bank. I was however intrigued to see it from the opposite direction. Right on time, the 47 summoned its strength and hauled the ECS and 7029 out of Tyseley, ready to reverse at Small Heath South Jnc. Road given, "Clun" dropped down through the loop, passing a simmering 45305 with the 'Polar Express' stock as it waited in the museums platform 1 road. Coming to rest on the stiff bank, the Castle waited the signal. Signal off, away we went, with a little help from the 47 to get us up this steep climb. The heavy train is weight enough, let alone another three coaches worth of dead diesel! 

By now Tom had a huge wedge burning away in the box for the work ahead. Under the station bridge and towards the cross-over we barked, with 10 coaches and the diesel trailing behind. Once clear of the points, Ray let 7029 go and we were off to Solihull in spectacular style. The noise was quite tremendous as the Castle got to grips with the train. It's always interesting on these morning runs to hear the note of the chimney change as the steam circuit warms up. A 'cold' engine will always sound a little more woolly (for want of a better word) until everything gets hot. Having arrived at Solihull to an admiring crowd of eager passengers, Tony & Craig delivered some very welcome tea and bacon sandwiches from the Support Coach kitchen which were duly enjoyed while we waited time. Further pick-ups were made at Dorridge and Warwick Parkway before we made tracks towards Leamington. Initially we were held at a red signal just north of the station but, when we got the green, 7029 put on a spectacular performance for the assembled crowds as she marched through...

"7029 Blasts Through Leamington" (Pic - Andrew Bell)

I'd be lying if I said the hairs on the back of my neck weren't standing up as "Clun Castle" did her best to wake up Leamington Spa! Leaving clouds of white steam lingering in the air behind us, we accelerated away towards Banbury. Tom was right, this isn't an easy road, particularly with such a heavy train. 7029 was however working very well and it was a pleasure to be aboard and watch the crew at work. At Banbury, I left the footplate and rejoined the Support Coach for the rest of the run to Bath and Bristol. It's amazing to see wires now shadowing the Great Western main line. "Clun" must have hardly recognized her old stomping ground as she rounded the corner at Didcot to the sight of this mass of electrical equipment. After setting down passengers in beautiful Bath, we continued on to Bristol, coming to rest right on time at Temple Meads at 13:02, where "Clun" is pictured blowing off...

From here, with a now empty train, the 47 dragged us around the city to reach St Philips Marsh depot, whos steam roots stretch back to 1910. Most of the passenger engines would have been serviced at Bristol Bath Road, with SPM being mostly allocated freight engines. SPM eventually closed to steam in 1964 but, for today, steam was back...if only briefly. "Clun" would be serviced here before heading back to Bristol TM later on. Myself and Tom however couldn't hang around: we had to head home! Due to this trip being on a Sunday, we of course had work tomorrow and couldn't be out late with the train. VT had therefore arranged for us to travel back by service train. Kit packed, we hit the trail on Rays directions back to Temple Meads. It was a 15-minute brisk walk I'd say, through the backstreets of the city.

Temple Meads was quite awe-striking really, not just for its beautiful architecture and railway history but I've never seen such expensive sausage rolls either. I think mine was about five quid from an outlet on the station concourse! Oh well, we must eat. In the distance we could see a whiff of steam behind a building. A little while later there was a shrill whistle before 61306 "Mayflower" came into view, reversing out of the station with her Support Coach. That was a welcome sight indeed! 

Our 15:30 train soon arrived: a stuffy diesel unit: bound for New Street via Cheltenham and the Lickey. It was over-crowded, cramped and quite smelly...not at all pleasant. Oh how we missed the space and privacy of the Support Coach! Nevertheless, the unit got us home, arriving at a bustling New Street/Grand Central station around teatime. The streets of Brum were alive with Christmas shoppers, even though most shops would be closed by now on a Sunday! Arriving at Moor Street, the prospect of a final connecting journey aboard another stuffy unit made us grab a cuppa' from 'Polar Express' HQ and wait for the Black Five to come in for a ride home...

Having caught a ride back with the immaculate 45305, we made it to Tyseley. We ended up being home well before the lads with "Clun" so it did work out well, allowing us to go to work tomorrow in a rested fashion. It had been a great day, with the run with "Clun" this morning down to Banbury obviously being the highlight. You can never get tired of experiences like that! I'll next be at Tyseley on December 21st for the second York job as I have a few other railway bits to do in between. Christmas is always a busy time! Take care all and all the best for the festive season...

(Please note that I have the qualification/authority/permits to perform any of the actions described in any main line posts on this blog. Please also note that my words and opinions do not represent any words or opinions of the company or other associated organizations. These are merely my own words and opinions, spoken by a willing and enthusiastic volunteer of the group).