Cornish sleeper empties tour via Didcot and Newbury

[Nicholas43]

Please could a forum member throw light on why 5A50, 0734 from Paddington to Reading Train Care Depot, this morning (30 April) went via Didcot (reverse), Newbury (or maybe only Newbury Racecourse?), reverse, and Reading (reverse). Crew training?
A splendid sight it made at Didcot.

 

[JonathanH]

Please could a forum member throw light on why 5A50, 0734 from Paddington to Reading Train Care Depot, this morning (30 April) went via Didcot (reverse), Newbury (or maybe only Newbury Racecourse?), reverse, and Reading (reverse). Crew training?
A splendid sight it made at Didcot.

Seems like there was a need to turn the set, given the triangular journey. Easier to reverse at Didcot and Newbury than Tilehurst and Theale.

 

[43096]

Seems like there was a need to turn the set, given the triangular journey. Easier to reverse at Didcot and Newbury than Tilehurst and Theale.

It's booked via Yeovil tomorrow night, so set will be being turned so that it is the right way round after Exeter on tomorrow's run. Turning the set at Penzance after it arrives obviously isn't an option!

 

[Wilts Wanderer]

Seems a bit excessive given that reversing is possible at Tilehurst and Reading West (and Theale!) but perhaps it couldn’t be pathed.

 

[30907]

Seems a bit excessive given that reversing is possible at Tilehurst and Reading West (and Theale!) but perhaps it couldn’t be pathed.

Blocks the running line at both places, not clever!

 

[Nicholas43]

It's booked via Yeovil tomorrow night, so set will be being turned so that it is the right way round after Exeter on tomorrow's run. Turning the set at Penzance after it arrives obviously isn't an option!

Many thanks.

 

[Horizon22]

Essentially turning the set without blocking Tilehurst and Theale which are busier at that time of day.

 

[geoffk]

It's booked via Yeovil tomorrow night, so set will be being turned so that it is the right way round after Exeter on tomorrow's run. Turning the set at Penzance after it arrives obviously isn't an option!

Will have to warn the family that it's coming up Honiton bank at 03.25 tomorrow morning!