Two Tenby trips in two days!

[truckman060473]

Just noticed this. The Spitfire DRS 37's are running there on the Bank Holiday weekend Sat 30 April, and Pathfinders steam excursion is running to Pembroke on Sunday 1st May, pausing for a break at Tenby. I think the steam tour has run on a Sunday because of the restricted paths on a branch line, and the 37's are using it Saturday!

 

[anthony263]

Sundays or overnights are normally the only time u can fit a railtour down the full length of the pembroke dock branch. the 37's do have a very tight turn around at tenby as they have to clear the line before the next pembroke dock tain can come down the branch from whitland. Ideally there should be a extra passing place between Tenby & Pembroke dock and line speed along that section does need to be increased so that trains dont have to sit in Pembroke dock for over 45 minutes

 

[truckman060473]

yes they'll be running round the 37's at Tenby won't they coz Spitfire run double heading instead of top n tail. wonder how a single 37 would cope, up the bank out of Tenby with around 11 coaches + a DIT 37 at rear!

 

[anthony263]

Actually they wont have enough time to run the locomotives around at Tenby due to the fact thhey have only about 10 minutes turn around are they have to get off the branch at Whitland at least 5 minutes before the next ATW service to Pembroke Dock service arrives. Also i think the return working from Tenby would have to leave at leat 15 minutes earlier than it is shown to make sure that the branch is clear.

 

[TGVDUDE]

yes they'll be running round the 37's at Tenby won't they coz Spitfire run double heading instead of top n tail. wonder how a single 37 would cope, up the bank out of Tenby with around 11 coaches + a DIT 37 at rear!

Doubt it would be DIT anyways, aswell as the fact they'll have to tackle Stormy on the way back, I myself would run the tour double headed into Carmarthen, Run 1 loco 'round, then top n tail to Tenby, send the stock to Whitland, then head back to Tenby to pick passengers back up, then run the rear loco around at Carmarthen, but thats just me, I beleive there's run'round facilities in Carmarthen?, I plan to do this tour also to clear to HoW line behind rateable traction

 

[truckman060473]

So you're saying that top n tail is their only choice then? Be interesting to see what plan of action is taken if the tour leaves Preston with both 37's at the front.

 

[anthony263]

They may have double headed class 37's and another locomotive on the rear to haul the train back to carmarthen and back to tenby where the 37's wil again lead

 

[truckman060473]

I think the break at Tenby is about 2 1/4 hrs and If the set cannot stable there, and no siding long enough at Whitland, I guess it may just have to take a wasted journey back to Carmarthen to wait. That's mad. I just looked on google maps - couldn't the set be stabled at track no.2 in Pembroke Dock? Unless of course this has been lifted since the overhead satellite picture was taken!

 

[Greenback]

The second track was definitely still there in 2009!

 

[anthony263]

I think the break at Tenby is about 2 1/4 hrs and If the set cannot stable there, and no siding long enough at Whitland, I guess it may just have to take a wasted journey back to Carmarthen to wait. That's mad. I just looked on google maps - couldn't the set be stabled at track no.2 in Pembroke Dock? Unless of course this has been lifted since the overhead satellite picture was taken!

The 2nd track i am sure was still there when i visited last summer though i doubt it would be able to hold such a long train as with the hsts at Pembroke dock at least 5 carriages and the rear locomotive are out of the platform and do cover the points.

Also i think only 1 train is permited along the token section between Tenby & Pembroke dock at a time and there is no way for the railtour to pass the 15:05 Pembroke Dock - Swansea service at Pembroke Dock