The Cheltenham Flyer rips up the timetable.....

GWR Castle Class 4-6-0 no 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe on the Cheltenham flyer, turn up your speakers and cop a load of this whistling performance.
Moans and grumbles were in abundance before this run commenced, it had been routed slow, stuck behind stopping service trains, wouldn't be flying. The Answer? Get it out on the main line in front of the "stopper" and throw the timetable out the window. So they did and it flew. So far ahead of its timetabled slot many people missed it, cracking into Paddington 40 minutes early. Last i heard on the return, it was nearly an hour fast.
So here, early, is the Earl, cracking up Cholsey on the outwards leg, tearing up Taplow on the return, with a rest period in between at Drayton Green on the service and turning leg.
At Cholsey where the heritage Cholsey and Wallingford Railway terminates, the staff there rocked up in their B.R. Class 08 Shunter no D3030 "Lion" to catch the Earl, They only just made it in time as it whistled by. Never knew you could get so many people in the cab of an '08!
A day that promised so little but delivered in spades. Well done to VT and the crew. And Network Rail.

[@kebl0597]

Great clips there Jeff! I do like that brief whistle right at the end, a proper 'hello, sorry, I'm in a tearing rush and can't hang around' kind of whistle. What a great locomotive the Earl is. Thanks for filming and sharing! Tim

[@songsmith31a]

A creative "cinematic" production admirably capturing both the subject and its various setting.(s).

[@Retaud21]

Once again, a terrific presentation. Loved the pictures of ,

[@MG06ZT]

Great shots of the Earl (and Gronk!). The last one 5.50 - monster!

[@MarshSteamVideosTM]

Jeff some nice captures of a Castle bang on form !! Liked the Guinness shunter that was different !! Thanks for sharing. Liam

[@bobnweaver]

Superb action video.

[@Richardsrailway]

Nice !, loved the Gronk at the beginning, wondered if they put the black stuff in the fuel tank ?,

[@paulcaswell2813]

Only one thing spoiled this glorious footage: the Hawksworth tender. They could have borrowed Pendennis's example for the truly authentic late '20s' look!

[@bus2birds]

Hi Jeff, great video, as you said, loads of people never realized it really was a flyer. I felt like the cat that got the cream on Thursday with Clan Line so I know how you feel tonight. Elated eh ! Liked. Mike

[@marsvltor2]

Love the P plate on the 08! (Other half pointed it out)

[@Retaud21]

Guinness. Many thanks.

[@bkendlerA4]

What a wonderful shot. GWR steam at its best. Barry

[@marsvltor2]

Should have been 4079 - the original loco!!! Wonder if we can get her back... Actually, what is the condition of 4073's tender? For the sake of authenticity, that tender could have been put on the back of 5043 to give something of the original appearance!

[@soulbabe79]

4079 should steam roughly in the autumn

[@KINGANDCASTLE]

I arrived on time to film the Cheltenham Fryer. You can guess the rest.

[@steamengineshooray]

Now THAT is how a REAL railway should be run...

[@KINGANDCASTLE]

Don't keep egging me on. I've got enough on my plate.

[@soulbabe79]

2:40 pause & look at the buffers

[@Hiei2k7]

what, #5 bunker oil?

[@MrKnowwun]

No, Dave, the brewery closed down. No more guinness.

[@russouk]

Every mainline should run a steam service at least once a year

[@MrKnowwun]

dont tell me, you had your chips.

[@nlo114]

'...with a rest period in between at Drayton Green... ' Maybe "Dawdling" Drayton Green?

[@KINGANDCASTLE]

Don't rub salt in the wound, it's unsavoury.

[@MrKnowwun]

I knew that timetable was a bit fishy.

[@exb.r.buckeyeman845]

08 what?

[@MrKnowwun]

British Rail Class 08 0-6-0 DE 08022 Lion

[@Hiei2k7]

lol. It's Diesel from Thomas the Tank Engine! Dredging memories from childhood. ha ha

[@MrKnowwun]

No you cant buy black stuff any more, the EU has banned it..