7029 Clun Castle heading through Yatton Loop this lunchtime with Day 2 of Vintage Trains' Great Western Railtour. The tour would replicate the run from Plymouth to Bristol hauled by 7029 60 years ago today. Which would have been the fastest ever-non stop run to the capital at that time, 133 minutes and 9 seconds, with a top speed of 96mph. Topping City of Truro's 100mph milestone some 50 years earlier. Meanwhile, back in 2024, this record unfortunately wouldn't be beaten Just after leaving Plymouth, the loco would find itself stalling on Hemerdon Bank.. It is believed that 2 mk2s in consist were suffering from dragging brakes, causing the loco to come to a standing start on the bank. 47773 was brought in to rescue. Acting as a thunderbird for the tour anyway, the loco would bring up the rear until Bristol where it would disembark off the train and 7029 would work unassisted to London. Therefore, the leg from Plymouth to Bristol didn't run unassisted, unfortunately going against the plan. Thanks for watching
