5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe and the Cathedrals Express

Saturday 17th September, a day of mixed weather and mixed fortunes as 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe headed the Cathedrals Express from Tyseley to Paddington via Worcester and the Old Worse & Worse.
We begin at Moreton in Marsh as the Castle, already running late, rolls to a halt for a pick-up stop.
Because of the late running, the pathing stop at Charlbury could not be guaranteed and so we abandoned the idea of another shot before Oxford and moved to Cholsey Hill, near South Moreton.
At Paddington, 47500 was attached to the stock to turn it at Greenford before taking it to Southall for servicing. It was assumed, by all at Drayton Park, that the ECS would run to Greenford via the High Wycombe line and so it came as a surprise when it appeared from the Ealing direction. After the passage of two local trains, it returned with 5043 leading, and turned right for Southall.
At exactly a few minutes past 3:49 PM, the return ECS left the yard at Southall and passed through Hanwell on its way back to Paddington.
It was after Hanwell that things started to go downhill. We had reached Acton Main Line with a few minutes to spare when, for some unexplained reason, we both suffered a complete lack of urgency and it was as we were strolling along the platform that 5043 burst out from under the bridge behind us and shot past before we could even switch the camera on. It's for this reason that the video jumps to Culham.
The once popular view from the bypass at Culham is rapidly disappearing behind the lineside vegetation, so we set up on the bridge, hoping that the Castle would not be speed restricted through the station. It was!!
After the disappointment of Culham, we moved on to a bridge just beyond Oxford station for the departure from the water stop. Fade to black.
At this point the video should have faded in again for three high-speed runpasts of 4492 Dominion of New Zealand (at Kintbury, Midgham and Taplow) as it returned to Paddington from Plymouth but an incorrect setting on the camera has left the footage unwatchable.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• 5043
• Earl
• of
• Mount
• Edgcumbe
• Cathedrals
• Express

[robmasterman]

Despite all the trivialities of the day Martyn, you work so hard to capture every last drop of the days action, and you have to be congratulated for that.....excellent footage as always...bob

[1Z64]

@robmasterman Thanks as always for your comment Bob. It was a shame not to be able to bring you the shots of the A4, but sometimes it's good to throw something back for next time.

[GreatWestern175]

this didnt show up on the subscription updaes...how strange. Still it was a joy to watch your innovative camera work on Tyseley's finest engine. I admire the beginning shoyt at Moreton-in-Marsh with the infrastructure that still stand providing an authentic setting. I would of expected the crews to of thrashed Edgcumbe at South Moreton. Its a pain when there speed restrictions aswell, still you all did well out there so much oblidged for sharing.

[1Z64]

@GreatWestern175 Tyseley's finest engine? We both know someone who might disagree with that. If pushed i'd also opt for a single chimney but 5043 always gives a fantastic performance and is a joy to record.

[hercmike]

The things one has to do tobring superb videos to ones adoring public, and you still made it look as though nothing went wrong! Another great vid Martyn.

[1Z64]

@hercmike Thanks for your comment Mike. I'm glad your enjoyment wasn't spoilt by my human error.

[jagafoto]

Very nice video!

[bkendlerA4]

Nice departure shot from Moreton-in-Marsh. It still has so much GWR character. Lovely departure shot from Oxford. The Earl picking up speed quickly. The evening light was very nice. I filmed the Earl passing West Drayton earlier that day. Please take a look and comment. Barry

[1Z64]

@collieultimo Thank You. I'm glad you continue to enjoy my work.

[1Z64]

@EMuksteam Thanks mate it certainly was an enjoyable day following a member of my favourite class of engine.