60163 - The Cathedrals Express to Plymouth 10-03-12

The Cathedrals Express on the 10th March 2012 was originally scheduled for the 2nd July 2011. However, operational difficulties meant that the tour was cancelled and postponed to the 29th October. Once again though, operational difficulties struck the tour, and another new date was settled on the 10th March 2012, with 6023 and 6024.
It wasn't long though before this tour went through tough times. First to drop out was (rather predictably) 6023, then 6024. A new combination was dreamt up, new build A1 60163 Tornado and the unique BR 8P 71000 Duke of Gloucester. Everything was set for the run, before the problems arose. 71000 had a low speed impact with Black 5 45231 at the East Lancashire Railway's Winter Steam Gala on the 25tb February, and could only run top and tail services, with the front of the locomotive damaged.
71000 was withdrawn from the tour later in the week, leaving very few options. 6024, one of the engines originally dropped by Steam Dreams, was recalled for a double headed thrash over the banks with 60163. A rumour then spread that 6024 was suffering with a minor issue, that couldn't be resolved in time. Therefore, 60163 was to take charge of the whole tour, with a DBS Class 66 (66152) behind from Exeter to Plymouth and back, as back up over the steep gradients.
For this run, I decided to chase the tour from London to Plymouth and back, which meant an awful lot of driving! Enough of my ramblings, to the action!
We begin this video at Thatcham, and two cameras positioned within a mile of each other. The first location is Colthorp Road, complete with fully functioning signal box. The A1 was coasting through Colthorp due to a delayed HST and the fact that she would be stopping for water at Newbury.
*Notice the Choc and Custard (half brake) Mk1 behind the A1 support coach. That was the generator car in this rake, and you will probably notice it throughout this video.*
With the excursion stopping for water at Newbury, there was not enough time to get to Bedwyn, and then get across to Whiteball in time. Instead, we went straight to Whiteball. With 14 coaches, we thought 60163 would struggle, and we were right, especially on a greasy rail and faced with a 1in80 gradient. Two cameras capture the ascent.
Another dash, this time to a bridge overlooking the exit to Tiverton loop. This bridge near Willand, has probably never seen so many people!
While 60163 stopped at Exeter to attach the 126 ton Class 66, we headed over to Dainton. Soon enough, 60163 could be heard storming the lower slopes of Dainton, and she soon appeared, with the 66 tucked in behind the A1. It was after looking at the video back that I realized why the 14 coach train flew up the bank. The 66 was doing quite a bit of the work!
I sent my assistant onto Totnes, and he caught the excursion accelerating after reaching the base of Rattery bank.
While the tour was in Plymouth, we moved onto another location, Hemerdon. Having arrived some 55 minutes early, it was not until the 20 minute mark that the main crowds turned up. Quite a few headed down the hill into the adjacent field, but most stayed on the bridge. I was warned at Whiteball to try and stay on the right of the bridge, as there would normally be an HST heading to Plymouth. That info was true, and those who had headed to the field on the left, were helpless as the HST rolled down the hill. Fortunately, 60163 was working more than the 66 behind, and could be heard much more clearly than the 66. I was positioned at the top of the gradient, and my second camera was positioned just over the summit, as 60163 and 66152 begin the descent to Ivybridge.
After a short dash, we capture the unusual pair at Starcross and Exminster.
Finally, with 66152 detached, 60163 flies through Tiverton Parkway, on the start of the climb to Whiteball (which was crested at 56mph).
Thank you for watching
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