Engineering work at the Severn Tunnel caused the steam section to run Newport to Fishguard to Gloucester from where 71000 then headed for overnight stabling at Bristol Barton Hill depot. The locomotive performed well and servicing arrangements were completed successfully until Magor on the return trip. Unable to pressurise the tanker supplying water, support crew were forced to use a road hydrant to replenish 71000's tender. This produced an arrival at Gloucester 1 hour 48 minutes behind schedule.
Having smashed records on this route last year, expectations of how 71000 would perform were naturally quite high. Upon attaching to the train it became apparent that 71000's air pump was not working. To enable the tour to continue, Class 67, No. 67006 Royal Sovereign was attached to provide air. The subsequent delayed departure resulted in the train reaching second water stop, Newton Abbott, 35 minutes behind schedule.
After leaving Newton Abbott, 71000, unassisted by the diesel, slipped to a halt a few hundred yards short of the summit to Dainton Bank. After several attempts the diesel was fired up and the train restarted arriving at Plymouth 42 minutes behind schedule.
After some swift servicing by 71000 support crew, the train was ready to depart Plymouth at 18:10, 28 minutes behind booked time. Having to wait for the 18:25 Cross Country service from Plymouth, the train reached the first return water stop at Exeter St David's 22 minutes behind schedule. Again, quick servicing by 71000 support crew and a full tender allowed the scheduled Taunton water stop to be missed out. Some good running by 71000 produced an arrival at Bristol only 6 minutes behind schedule.
After working into the night at Bristol Barton Hill, 71000 engineers were unable to rectify the problem experienced the previous day with the locomotive's air pump. Again it was decided to use Class 67 No. 67006 to provide air for train braking. The run to Milford Haven was the first time 71000 had worked beyond Carmarthen to this Pembrokeshire destination. A combination of good running by the locomotive and quick servicing by the support crew produced a respectable arrival time at Bristol - in fact it was 42 minutes ahead of schedule.
Overall, the three days of working produced one of the toughest tests the support crew has faced. Originally planned as just two days operation, the Pembroke run came as a result of the King 6024 being unavailable. However, two of the King's support crew obliged in joining us to make the whole experience less taxing. Special thanks to Shirley 'Fireboxchaser' for having the distinction of being the first woman to be part of a 71000 support crew.
Tough as it may have been, as always, there were lighter moments and the next section which, for want of a title, we call 'Travels with Inspector Gareth' suggests why. In the face of adversity over the three days train crew and traction inspectors from EWS took the necessary decisions to keep the show on the road.
Gareth commands a royal performance. Class 67 No. 67006 Royal Sovereign is attached behind 71000 for the runs to Plymouth and Milford Haven. In the next photo Gareth explains how he managed to obtain the Royal locomotive.
Gareth (far left) explains: "Well, boys, Charles is a pal of mine, so I told him to ask his mother if I could borrow Her Majesty's shiny locomotive. Mind you, coming through the Severn Tunnel messed it up a bit so I got the RO to clean it up whilst we were watering at Newport".
Gareth and the troublesome driver. Gareth to driver: "Yes, I know it feeds water but it is not the injector. How many years have you worked on the railways now?".
Gareth and photographer. "Wait till I get on the footplate before you photograph me mooning".
Gareth to Bob: "Now there's lovely Bob. With headgear like that you could go to the Traction Inspectors' Ball". Bob: "Do traction inspectors really have ... social gatherings?".
Gareth sells an idea to Huw. "Just taste that Huw. This Welsh water is too good to put in steam locomotives. I think we should bottle it and sell it. A bit of tannin in it and it probably tastes like cola or dandelion and burdock. With Royal approval we could make a fortune".