The York Yuletide Express, 8/12/2016.

This looks promising. The Duchess going to Norwich, avoiding Ely station?

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54779/2016/12/07/advanced

 

One hopes so. It's taking the Ely avoider so if the gauging issue is at Ely station, that's one way of avoiding it.

 

Just left the Wembley area with 47760 leading 46233 (smokebox first), both on the front of the train. Guessing that the 47 will run round again and the train will be top and tail from Peterborough.

 

The Mainline Steam to Visit Norwich Fb page is saying that the Duchess is now out of gauge between Ely and March and that the tour is 47 hauled from Norwich to Peterborough.

I cannot make any promises that the above is correct as I do not know where this info has come from

 

A friend rang RTC this morning to enquire about a one way journey from Norwich to York and was told by RTC that the train was to be diesel hauled between Norwich and Peterborough. No reason given and nothing stated about return as he wasn't after booking the return journey. He decided against going.

 

Yes I had an email from RTC stating that the train will be diesel hauled between Norwich and Peterborough and return due to gauging issues, despite the loco having run over the route on numerous occasions in the past. They say they are trying to get the decision overturned so fingers crossed.
Patrick

 

i can confirm 47237 took the Ecs from Peterborough to Norwich leaving 46233 and support coach on Eastfield Yd, Peterborough.

 

RTT now show a 1z40 0805 ex Norwich timed at 95 mph max. A stop in Peterborough Platform 7 1011 - 1045 then right away to Babworth Loop and arriving York 1317.

Will there be a diesel /steam change in Peterborough station ?

Nothing yet shown on RTT for return ; it will be most interesting to learn how this trip actually pans out.

 

The 47 is detach at Peterborough in platform 5 then 46233 is coming on.
On the return it will come off at Peterborough Eastfield Yd.

 

Outward on RTT: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54779/2016/12/08/advanced
Return times on OTT: https://www.opentraintimes.com/schedule/U54734/2016-12-08

 

Duchess of Sutherland passing Bullpit Lane Crossing Balderton, 18 mins late ,running well

 

Are we sure the decorations are in gauge?

 

The Duchess through Grantham station

https://www.flickr.com/photos/10257146@N05/31476758556/in/dateposted/

 

So did 47760 take the ECS to Peterborough and then 47237 take it on to Norwich? I saw it go past Welwyn but didn't catch the number of the 47!

https://flic.kr/p/NFNBPf

 

There was only one diesel on the train in the London area which ran round at Wembley. It was shown as 47760 on TOPS but I was not close enough to actually see the number.

 

Cheers

 

Now that I have a few minutes and am using a desktop computer I have checked your picture and compared it with photos I have of 47760 and 47237, the loco is definitely the former as 237 has a flush headcode box one end and LED marker lights the other:





Not to mention 237 has multiple working fittings as it is a former DRS one and, to the best of my knowledge, has not been fitted with snowploughs recently.

 

Thanks for your time and help working that out