{"id":653,"date":"2012-09-28T17:52:26","date_gmt":"2012-09-28T16:52:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.steamage.co.uk\/wp1\/?p=653"},"modified":"2012-09-28T17:52:33","modified_gmt":"2012-09-28T16:52:33","slug":"vol-08-main-line-album-2005","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.steamage.co.uk\/wp1\/vol-08-main-line-album-2005\/","title":{"rendered":"Vol 08: Main Line Album 2005"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>What can one say about 71000 Duke Of Gloucester? She flattened Upwey, Parkstone, Honiton, Sherborne and Upton Scudamore banks, toying with her 11- and 12-coach loads. On more level ground, she cruised along at 75 for mile after mile with little apparent effort. But she wasn’t alone: 34067 Tangmere took care of VSOE business again, and also visited Bournemouth and Winchester; Black Fives 45231 and 45305 and Jubilee 5690 Leander returned to main-line duties; 5029 Nunney Castle bowed out; 6024 King Edward I put up consistently good performances all year; 60009 Union of South Africa went up the Midland main-line on a perfect autumn morning; 4472 Flying Scotsman flew down to Didcot with a couple of Sunday Lunch specials. There are also brief appearances from 4965 Rood Ashton Hall, 5051 Earl Bathurst and 34027 Taw Valley.<\/p>\n

After the main program, I have included a split-screen comparison of 6024 and 5029 over the same stretch of track on the approach to Sapperton Tunnel, filmed from almost the same spot, three months apart. I won’t tell you who wins…!<\/p>\n

(approx. running time: 82 minutes)<\/p>\n

6024 King Edward I<\/strong> (17:01) 26th Feb \u201cThe Lickey Incliner\u201d: Brockhampton, Gloucester, Lickey Incline. 21st May \u201cThe Cathedrals Express\u201d to Worcester: Culham, Sapperton Tunnel. 4th June \u201cThe Cathedrals Express\u201d to Weymouth: Burnham, Crofton. 9th Jun, \u201cThe Cathedrals Express\u201d to Bristol: Ufton Nevert, Wootton Rivers. 7th Sep Bristol \u2013 Oxford – Stratford: Dauntsey Bank, Shrivenham, Tackley, Oxford. 10th Sep \u201cWelsh Marches Express\u201d: Bristol, Llanvihangel Crucorney. 18th Dec \u201cThe Yuletide Bard Express\u201d: West Wycombe.<\/p>\n

5051 Earl Bathurst<\/strong> (1:32) 23rd Apr St George\u2019s Day Special: Crofton<\/p>\n

5029 Nunney Castle<\/strong> (4:19) 20th Aug \u201cThe Cathedrals Express\u201d to Worcester: South Stoke, Sapperton Tunnel.<\/p>\n

4965 Rood Ashton Hall<\/strong> (1:01) 18th Dec Solihul – Didcot: Appleford.<\/p>\n

34027 Taw Valley<\/strong> (2:51) \u2013 running as 34045 Ottery St Mary \u2013 4th Apr \u201cVSOE\u201d to Oxford: South Stoke, Oxford.<\/p>\n

34067 Tangmere<\/strong> (12:38) 7th May \u201cVSOE\u201d to Oxford: Gatehamstead Manor, Oxford. 9th Jun \u201cThe Downsman\u201d: Byfleet & New Haw, Abinger Hammer. 18th Jun \u201cThe Royal Wessex\u201d: Bournemouth. 1st Oct \u201cThe Salisbury Spire\u201d: Lower Wyke, Romsey, Winchester. 17th Dec \u201cVSOE\u201d: Worplesdon, Abinger Hammer.<\/p>\n

71000 Duke of Gloucester<\/strong> (13:02) 9th Jul \u201cSunny South Special\u201d: Battledown, Bincombe Tunnel (south-bound and north-bound), Parkstone. 20th Jul \u201cThe Cathedrals Express\u201d to Bristol: Crofton, Upton Scudamore, Grateley. 24th Jul \u201cThe Cathedrals Express\u201d to Exeter: Andover, Watchcombe, Buckhorn Weston Tunnel, Gillingham. 17th Aug. \u201cSunny South Special\u201d to Weymouth: Milborne Wick, Andover.<\/p>\n

45305 Alderman A E Draper<\/strong> (3:03) 25th May, Test run: Wythill, Wilmcote. 28th May Tysley – Didcot: Culham.<\/p>\n

5690 Leander<\/strong> (9:46) 7th Jun Test run: Wythill, Bearley Junction. 26th Jun (with 45305) Tysley \u2013 Leicester \u2013 Melton Mowbray – Kettering: Melton Mowbray, Frisby On The Wreake (east-bound and west-bound), Coton Hall. 3rd July \u201cThe Shakespeare Express\u201d: Edstone Aqueduct, Bearley Junction.<\/p>\n

45231 Sherwood Forester<\/strong>\u00a0(6:29) 26th Nov \u201cThe Cathedrals Express\u201d to Bristol: Red Post Junction, Hanging Langford. 10th Dec. \u201cThe Cathedrals Express\u201d to Stratford Upon Avon: Bradenham, Saunderton station, Budbrooke. 17th Dec \u201cThe Cathedrals Express\u201d to Chichester: Great Brockhamshurst, Horsham.<\/p>\n

4472 Flying Scotsman<\/strong> (4:48) 16th Oct Solihul – Didcot: Somerton Deep Lock, Hatton Bank. 30th Oct Solihul – Didcot: Tackley, Oxford.<\/p>\n

60009 Union of South Africa<\/strong>\u00a0(2:38) 19th Nov \u201cThe Cathedrals Express\u201d to Barrow Hill: Souldrop, Harringworth.<\/p>\n

King vs Castle<\/strong>: A comparison of 6024 and 5029 climbing the last quarter mile or so to Sapperton Tunnel…<\/p>\n

Additional material from Adrian & Jackie Pallent.<\/p>\n