The Easterling 28/08/17 UKRT/A1ST 60163

Okay, I'd have lost a day working on the 'vintage' bicycle... but I could have joined at Potters Bar, done the trip, returned to Potters Bar, drive to the usual hotel I stay in for when I work several days in a row (about ten minutes away) and then been ready for work at 7.30 next morning!

AAAAGGGHHHH!!!!!

Actually @Spamcan81 , you've reminded me that I need to book my ticket for the Pacifics weekend at the NVR

 

So return not going so well. Left GYM few mins late and despite smart running 10 L round Wensum curve.

Then various unexplained checks with nowt ahead? Sig failure at Ely didn't help.

More checks after Shepreth Br Jn. Watered at Royston, up services o/t on down line.

Now away exactly hour late.

 

Train still showing as being at Royston where it arrived 50 minutes late for its water stop, following services being routed through other platform, wonder if there is a problem?

Dave B

 

Thanks again for update Sean. Sent my post as yours was appearing.

Dave B

 

Just got back from seeing her through Hitchin, 60 late.

 

Spooner Row:

 

'Tornado' on "The Easterling", seen at Letchworth Garden City, Cambridge North and Baldock.

 

Still traveling back to York on an engineering diversion. However, agree it was a good trip, although the signal issue at Ely didn't help.

 

Is that what happened? I was part of the crowd at Fen Road Level Crossing, it seemed like I was the only one checking on RTT and having to update everyone there! What did we do before smart phones?!

 

I seem to recall that was an explanation given on the speaker system. We were doing fine until Norwich. A second long day on the Bank Holiday weekend; suffice to say, it was 20 hours in total, as I didn't get back to the flat until 01:00. I was certainly flagging on the return journey!

 

This is a game for the young. Up at 0320 to set out for BTM at 0415 yesterday morning; got in at 0240 this morning. Bad enough only having the 2330 BTM to catch without it going via the B&H!! Didn't get a Savernake Summit speed...

 

Indeed. I consider myself a youngster, but even I occasionally question why I do the early starts and late finishes- until I end up doing another one...

 

Was any explanation given for the long delay getting away from Wymondham on the return journey? Seems to have lost over 20 mins there.

 

I think that if there was an issue with the signals at Ely, then we were probably in a queue. Running was pretty subdued after Wymondham, which may tally with this, although I understand there's a couple of miles of speed restrictions between Ely and Lakenheath in any case. Hopefully someone can clarify, though.

 

By the rate at which we departed SVG on the way back I assumed the diesel had been fired up....
But of course it hadn't

 

Yes as Mazeppa pointed out its 45 mph for non-sprinters in both directions from just after Ely North Jn to just before Lakenheath.
Also there were clearly additional slacks over various river bridges, most noticeably the Ouse south of Ely.

 

Thanks for confirming. Incidentally, one of my challenges for the day was to sample a pint from the recently-resurrected Lacons brewery. Despite being brewed locally, I was disappointed to eventually find (with assistance) only one pub selling it. The other challenge was to trace the surviving sections of town wall. It seems the town doesn't really know what to make of them.