2015 Mainline Steam Review - Worst Year ever?

10 days cancellations due to OTMR in a month with 76079?, any more details?...I remember 76079 being derailed at NYMR on the 6th Oct that year?

 

Seems to me that different parts of the country did better than others. In August, I spent a wonderful week in North Yorkshire and saw 5 trains on the S&C in 6 days hauled by 5 different locos, all without DL assistance. Although there were 2 or 3 disappointments on the summer S&C programme, it was probably one of the best seasons in recent years (ignoring the weather, of course!) The experience in the south was very different. The proportion of "disappointing" tours that started from London was particularly high, though Bristol- and Birmingham-starters didn't fare particularly well. I think Steam Dreams was disproportionately badly affected. I recall writing, several times, words to the effect that if it wasn't for the bad luck, poor Marcus would have no luck at all.

 

Yes, that's a fair summary; we in the south certainly haven't had much of a year, especially in the run-up to Christmas.

Perhaps my personal set of disappointments with the camera may amuse some people. Now it's Christmas I can smile about the litany of woe I have endured recently, but it has been very frustrating.

To start with: Goody goody! Tangmere returned just in time to work the RTC Three Bridges-Bath special on December 5th. Weather was pretty dismal (Par for the course in the last couple of months!) but having been on this train in 2008 behind Bittern and taken a very satisfying picture at Botley on the return leg when we stopped for water, I knew that it was a good place for a night picture as the station was well-lit. Checked RTT and 34067 arrived safely in Bristol. Forecast was at least for it to be dry so headed off about 4.30. No bowser when I arrived. This seemed ominous. Eventually a class 47 appears with the stock and doesn't even stop. Bang goes my 4th attempt in 7 years to re-take a picture here!

Tangmere's electrical problems meant that the RTC 8th December Sussex Belle trip, just a few miles from my home was then cancelled. Oh well, never mind, Not too far from here to see Tornado on the Pullmans, which was also running that day, so off I go to Hackhurst Farm near Gomshall. Sun goes in and out and in and out and in and finally - just as I spot some steam in the distance- out! Bang on cue, the Redhill-Reading stopping train trundles past!

Sat 12th December - miserable weather so no desire to make another futile visit to the Surrey Hills. As for Mayflower on the SD Salisbury train, it failed its FTR.

With further dismal weather making me decide to give the two 45407-hauled trips a miss, I felt a bit steam-starved and decide in desperation to go over to Eridge and photograph Walkden under the station lights on 23rd December working the Spa Valley's Santa trains. I arrrive at Eridge only to find that Walkden wasn't too happy that morning and the train was T&Td with a pair of 33s. Well, I like the Cromptons so at least managed a decent picture of 33063. Next day, I rang the Spa Valley. Is Walkden fixed? Yes, so off I go to Eridge to have another go. The Station master then tells me that for the last working Walkden has been taken off and it's a pair of Cromptons again! Oh Joy!

The composer Ralph Vaughan Williams one said that writing music was "10% inspiration and 90% persipration". I think the same could be said of steam train photography.

Wishing us all - especially any fellow Southerners who have been as frustrated as me - a better year in 2016. It really MUST be better than 2015.

 

John, as we seem to stomp much the same ground, and the same workings, I'd be grateful if you can tell me when and where you plan to film next. With luck like yours I can then make other arrangements and be as far away as possible elsewhere.

 

I've followed this thread with much interest as, from an enthusiast point of view I am keen on mainline steam and want it to succeed but have not been persuaded to part with any money and actually travel since 2012. I live on the south coast and whilst we get quite a few tours passing through, few pick-up locally. Add in uncertainty over 'diesel-shovage' and standing by windows then I am not going to spend money on a trip especially if I have to travel a distance to join. Doubly so if most of the trip is in the dark...!

What might make me change my mind is if, by paying more for a ticket, the tour promotors would drop a coach or 2 from the train and by reducing the load guarrentee no diesel shovage. The train is therefore more likely to fit into the existing railway by running quicker and getting away from stations faster and, IMHO, the punters day will be improved. People may gripe at paying more (especially those who travel a great deal on on lower incomes) but surely paying more for a quality product would be worth it.

I'm off to Swanage tomorrow for their 'Winter Warm-up' event and am expecting to enjoy myself far more there than I would on a mainline tour with the current set-up. Opportunities to see the engines in use, some good grades and nice scenery - what more could one want!!

 

60 - 75mph running!

 

In retrospect, tho it could have been much better, there were some highlights



Anyone twig the significance of the soundtrack?

 

Sorry, but its significance for me was that I hit the stop icon about half way through. I prefer to hear the locos' own sounds with nothing else added.

 

Well as I have posted each of those videos on here on the day they happened without music, you have had the best of both worlds, you lucky fella.

 

I think you're fairly safe for the next three months at least as far as the main line is concerned - only a couple of Belmond pullmans running anywhere near me untl April!