Evesham Railtour puzzle.

My sister in Law lives close to the Cotswold line just upstream of Evesham on the way to Pershore. Yesterday, about 09:10 she saw a train of 'older style' carriages, topped and tailed by diesel locos, heading towards Evesham and wondered what they were. I looked on RTT and could find no mention of anything at that time. I note there was an excursion (1Z46) from Kidderminster to Canterbury that day which suffered from major delays at the start. It was shown as running via Cheltenham, Swindon and Didcot which it seems, again RTT, to have done although there were problems shown on the railway south of Gloucester. Any ideas?

Welcome to the forum!

Looking at RTT, it seems to have reversed from south of Cheltenham back up towards Worcester, and then diverted via. Evesham, Oxford etc. down to Didcot Parkway, where it picked up its planned route, so that would have been what she saw (I reckon). It 'appeared' at Didcot at 1010, so that would tie in with the time she saw it pass through.

As you say, there was a fatality south of Cheltenham yesterday which probably explains the diversion.

Jimini said:

Welcome to the forum!

Looking at RTT, it seems to have reversed from south of Cheltenham back up towards Worcester, and then diverted via. Evesham, Oxford etc. down to Didcot Parkway, where it picked up its planned route, so that would have been what she saw (I reckon). It 'appeared' at Didcot at 1010, so that would tie in with the time she saw it pass through.

As you say, there was a fatality south of Cheltenham yesterday which probably explains the diversion.

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Suspected that was the reason. Many thanks for explanation.

The steam Dreams tour from Kidderminster to Canterbury had to be diverted due to a fatality on the line south of Gloucester. The tour turned back from Gloucester and returned to Worcester before heading over the North Cotswold line to Oxford and Didcot to regain its booked route. 40013 top and tailing with 47805 for the record.
I wonder how long it’s been since a class 40 traversed the North Cotswold line?

The Chimaera said:

The steam Dreams tour from Kidderminster to Canterbury had to be diverted due to a fatality on the line south of Gloucester. The tour turned back from Gloucester and returned to Worcester before heading over the North Cotswold line to Oxford and Didcot to regain its booked route. 40013 top and tailing with 47805 for the record.
I wonder how long it’s been since a class 40 traversed the North Cotswold line?

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As a result of this, the plan to swap the 40 for the Steamer was cancelled and 47805 ran around during the booked stop and took the train forward to Kent on its own.

fgwrich said:

As a result of this, the plan to swap the 40 for the Steamer was cancelled and 47805 ran around during the booked stop and took the train forward to Kent on its own.

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As you say, to save time booked for watering stops although the 40 was removed from the train due to not being passed for Kent.

I was on that tour. Non-stop run down the Cotswold Line with a Class 40. It was an unexpected bonus, particularly since I was right at the front immediately behind the 40.

The Northern Belle was on the line today, although only as far as Evesham.

Tomorrow Saturday 16th you have a steam train going southbound from Worcester along the Cotswold Line. It should pass Pershore at 16:04.