Black Fives to Sherborne: 15/12/16

44871 and 45407 running two consecutive days this week. Looking back recently when two days running has been pencilled in either the first or second has been pulled. Off back north straight after too. On this so hope all is well!

 

Making a 650-mile round trip to travel on this. As far as I can see, still no confirmed timings from Network Rail.

Edited to add: And, of course, as soon as I post this they pop up on the RTC site!

 

Now on RTT
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U63973/2016/12/15/advanced
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U63974/2016/12/15/advanced


Cheers, Neil

 

The pathing stop at Tisbury going down (1224 - 1232) appears to be to pass a sandite train. Are they still running at the moment? Just wondering whether this stop will be needed?

 

Ant Crossing, Virginia Water.

 

Quite by fluke (having not really clocked that this was running), timed my commute home so as to arrive at Platform 6 about five minutes before departure:





Incidentally, a question for those more versed in mainline operation: I'm sure that on departure, only one loco whistled. Isn't it the norm with two locos to exchange whistles before starting, or is that no longer a requirement on the mainline?

Tom

 

I'm fairly certain that only applied when the locos were at either end of the train, I think for a doubleheader an exchange of hand signals was sufficient.

 

Well, there was a 47 on the other end of the train as well...

I guess you could do it all with radios now, as I didn't notice much in the way of hand signals either.

Tom

 

Should have been an exchange of whistle/horn with the 47 but as you say probably all done by radio now.

 

A trio of images from Clapham Junction this morning.


Black 5s 45407 & 44871 by Tim White, on Flickr


Black 5s 44871 & 45407 by Tim White, on Flickr


Black 5s 44871 & 45407 by Tim White, on Flickr

 

Steam eclipses modern traction at Hook

 

Followed by another 600 miles or so over the next two days to get them to Fort William!

 

The Riley locos are certainly knocking up the miles, if it had been forcast for snow after Christmas I would have followed them up to Fort Bill but with poor weather and limited daylight I don't think it's worth it

 

A quick shot of the Fives in the gloom at Tisbury, as well as a couple at Worting Junction and Micheldever, of the run to Winchester, the previous day.

 

A terrific day. With thanks to all involved in working long hours to make it all happen.

 

And a photo album of the trip. Normally I'm on the outside with camera looking in so it was a real treat to be on board: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ianwylie/albums/72157676562131260