Need Advice re: Train Routes

[TheDLRdriver]

Hi Guys, as you can see I'm new here as I didn't know where to go, not sure of the general rules around this question but this is my last swing. My son loves trains, and is actually getting me into it. We managed to catch the IoW heritage steam train standing on the bridge which he loved.

I told him we'd do the same for the Flying Scotsman and feel I've shot myself in the foot here. I saw it was coming Oxford which will be the closest so have been trying to research where would be best to see it but the Fox and Edwards site is confusing. It says from Didcot to Newbury in 45mins.

Then Newbury back to Didcot in what looks like a 3hour journey which confuses me as its significantly longer.

Later down the page it says it goes ' from Didcot via Reading, Chippenham, Westbury & Swindon, which would strike me as the journey back given how much it passes through
So assume it would say Newbury via etc.

I'm just trying to get a spot to see the train for my boy and want to know roughly what line/stations the train will pass when it leaves Didcot at 11:00 or have a rough map of the route.

I did screenshot a few places a few months back, to prepare, but I'm now doubting myself after reading the above.

I did call Fox and Edwards this morning asking for advice and they said they cant tell me, which is also probably why there isn't a clear map of the route. I can only assume its either something to do with seeing it without buying a ticket or possibly safety reasons. Which is why I'm wary if this post is breaking any rules but it wasnt clear.

Anyway if anyone has experience of this route or has more knowledge about this stuff than me, which I assume is everyone, id appreciate the help or a DM if it's not something that can be shared publicly.

If you got this far, thanks for reading, and if you can help id really appreciate it otherwise I'll just gamble myself and hope for the best. Cheers guys.

 

[Wolfie]

Hi Guys, as you can see I'm new here as I didn't know where to go, not sure of the general rules around this question but this is my last swing. My son loves trains, and is actually getting me into it. We managed to catch the IoW heritage steam train standing on the bridge which he loved.

I told him we'd do the same for the Flying Scotsman and feel I've shot myself in the foot here. I saw it was coming Oxford which will be the closest so have been trying to research where would be best to see it but the Fox and Edwards site is confusing. It says from Didcot to Newbury in 45mins.

Then Newbury back to Didcot in what looks like a 3hour journey which confuses me as its significantly longer.

Later down the page it says it goes ' from Didcot via Reading, Chippenham, Westbury & Swindon, which would strike me as the journey back given how much it passes through
So assume it would say Newbury via etc.

I'm just trying to get a spot to see the train for my boy and want to know roughly what line/stations the train will pass when it leaves Didcot at 11:00 or have a rough map of the route.

I did screenshot a few places a few months back, to prepare, but I'm now doubting myself after reading the above.

I did call Fox and Edwards this morning asking for advice and they said they cant tell me, which is also probably why there isn't a clear map of the route. I can only assume its either something to do with seeing it without buying a ticket or possibly safety reasons. Which is why I'm wary if this post is breaking any rules but it wasnt clear.

Anyway if anyone has experience of this route or has more knowledge about this stuff than me, which I assume is everyone, id appreciate the help or a DM if it's not something that can be shared publicly.

If you got this far, thanks for reading, and if you can help id really appreciate it otherwise I'll just gamble myself and hope for the best. Cheers guys.

I imagine that it is safety reasons. Past publicity about running schedules for famous steam locks, Flying Scotsman in particular, led to serious safety issues e.g. significant lineside incursions.

 

[Haywain]

it says it goes ' from Didcot via Reading, Chippenham, Westbury & Swindon, which would strike me as the journey back given how much it passes through

I know nothing of Fox and Edwards (sounds like an estate agent) or the train you are referring to, but that sounds like it is doing a circular trip from Didcot, and Newbury is just one of the places it will pass through. You seem to be describing a route from Didcot via Reading West Curve, via Newbury to Westbury and then through Melksham, Chippenham and Swindon back to Didcot. It would be a convenient route for a steam tour as it would not involve any reversal en route.

 

[The exile]

The F&E site gives an approximate time for Newbury Racecourse. Suggest being on the canal towpath near Bedwyn from about the time the train should leave the Racecourse.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

There appear to be 2 departures from Didcot on Sat 17 Oct (at 1100 and 1525) and another 2 on Sun 18 Oct at the same times.
Times and routes don't seem to be on realtimetrains.
On these days the only train with tickets available is the 1525 Sunday service (fares start at £99).