61306 Easterling 8/3/15

Thanks.

 

Shame. Maybe the crossover at Norwich is conditionally out of use, or maybe it's the curse of eastern region network rail again, with a relatively new loco.

I guess it could be other possible speculative causes which we might never find out.

 

Just noticed it's booked DCF at Hitchin so looks like it's going over the flyover. Also booked on the fast from KGX to Holloway and Potters Bar to Hitchin.

 

Norwich to Lowestoft booked 61306 t/f.

 

Wonder where and how much of a shove the diesel will provide? As much as I need the steam mileage from beyond Hitchin, I'm glad in a way that I booked the Cardiff trip rather than this one.

 

If it runs with this consist on all its trips then it should not need a diesel minder

Don

 

What's the gradient through Bury St. Edmunds? Food mixer possibly insurance for that stretch?

 

The Easterling is load 9 + POB + box. Would have thought 9 + POB would be ok for a B1. The route has its steep bits but nothing as bad as Sapperton.

 

I think they made the train too big going by what Ray Churchill said.

 

Bury is in the bottom of a dip. The 3.5 miles from there to Saxham is no worse than 1 in 128 for the first mile. The tougher climb is the 4 miles from Newmarket to Dullingham with 1.25 miles at 1 in 109 and 0.5 miles at 1 in 88 near the summit.

 

OK, cheers Spamcan. Mike, it's bang on the money according to Mr Churchill's calculations- load 9, so the addition of the thing on the back remains a bit of a mystery, unless its for shunting back at Southall at the end of the day due to line possessions.

 

Read my earlier posts. STN says 9 + POB = 10.

 

It will need a box if it's using that Hitchin flyover. Trying to think whether to try a lineside spot in a field to get it over the flyover, or Ashwell and Morden, to see it accelarating up the gradient.... Hmm....

 

The times are at www.uksteam.info/tours/t15/t0308a.htm

David

 

RTT paths are now up: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/sea...8/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt&toc=WR

 

Looking at one of those times for example, I can see us being pushed quite a bit tomorrow, Stevenage to hitchin is timed the same as a normal scheduled service. Shame but in the end it's still steam.

Thanks jdttrains for the link, I don't like proving people wrong but I did still go and look for any Le moves back from kings cross..... Nothing

James

 

That's where you and me differ. Last Sunday we were able to marvel at a brilliant performance from 61306 including superb climbs of Sapperton in both directions. Had a diesel been adding a 1000hp to the rear, it just wouldn't have been the same. How much will the diesel shove tomorrow? Only time will tell.

 

If we are at the back on the outward run I'll try and take note on where we are assisted. It's like the last time I did a Dorset coast run, every stop we were pushed.

Don't get me wrong I'd prefer steam on its own, for the purists tomorrow it's almost pointless in timing tomorrow's run as it won't be a true reflection on what seems to be a capable engine, last weeks run shows this. I'm very jealous of everyone who were on that.

For me if I want 100% steam I'll go to tyseley, with the other operators we as enthusiasts have to take a gamble, which I've just done, for me and my colleagues when we booked this, it was the route first, then followed by the engine. Few of us have never done steam out of kings cross for example.

Like I've said earlier I'll keep the thread updated as we go.