Royal Scot in early start from Bridgnorth
BRIDGNORTH is rapidly establishing itself as not only a tour destination, but also a starting point – as long as you do not mind getting up early!
On October 6, Saphos Trains was in action again with a mid-week special from Bridgnorth on the Severn Valley Railway to Bristol Temple Meads via Birmingham, Oxford, Didcot, Swindon and Bath, behind LMS 4-6-0 No. 46100 Royal Scot.
Departure from Bridgnorth was at 5.25am, behind the Scot heading down the SVR, then crossing onto the main line at Kidderminster and arriving at Birmingham Snow Hill to pick up passengers 11 minutes late, at 7.37am. According to Real Time Trains, timekeeping was not good this day through no fault of Saphos. There were only two occasions on the outward journey that it ran to time or early; these were Dorridge to Warwick, and Banbury to Oxford North Junction.
‘Scot’ on the loose
When it passed Leamington Spa station on the outward journey, after being held outside, the Scot was let loose and roared through the station determined to make up for any lost time.
At Aynho Junction it was well up to line speed and working extremely hard, sounding very good. From Oxford the delays worsened because it was more than an hour late for its booked arrival time at Bristol.
The return via the same route left Bristol just over a minute late at 3.35pm, and timings fluctuated between 15 minutes early and three late up to Banbury. It was held at Fenny Compton, departing five minute late, then proceeded to lose time, passing Lapworth 17 minutes down. However, all time was made up by Birmingham Snow Hill, with an on-time arrival for passengers.
Kidderminster's arrival was 13 minutes down at 9.36pm. No. 46100 was heard working hard in the dark, climbing Eardington about an hour later, returning to Bridgnorth after a very long day.
An empty coaching stock move had taken place from Crewe to Bridgnorth the previous day to get the train into position; and ironically timekeeping was much better, arriving at
Kidderminster eight minutes early. After arriving on the SVR, No. 46100 was turned on the Kidderminster turntable and the complete train was towed to Bridgnorth where it was coaled, watered and serviced in preparation for the early start the following day.
The train returned to Crewe behind the `Scot' on October 7 in the afternoon, arriving 27 minutes early.