The Cathedrals Express- 10/12/17

The weather forecast is certainly looking good/interesting depending on which way you look at it!

Times: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/sea...0/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt&toc=WR

 

Currently delays of up to an hour on the Chiltern main line: http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_disruptions/today.aspx

Is certainly snowing heavily here in Coventry and shows no sign of stopping.

 

Chiltern reporting no service between Hatton and Stratford today, lines blocked...doesn't bode well!

https://twitter.com/chilternrailway/status/939795993247313921

 

OTT is showing 1Z34 has become 1Z36 at Reading - have they called off the tour?
EDIT: OTT is also showing symbols of "SHUT", "*11*", "-11-" on some of the lines to the west of Reading so guessing there are issues there

 

1Z36 showing as 1100 departure back to Slough. Looks like it is game over

 

Yep confirmed on the Cath Ex Twitter, points failure at Didcot. I doubt they would have been able to get to Stratford and turn the loco anyway: https://twitter.com/On_Train/status/939811044444303360

Shame for the passengers and crew...wrong type of snow today.

 

That’s a long drive in the snow to Cropredy for nothing! Better safe than sorry though

 

Taplow

 

I briefly had ideas this morning of getting up to where there was likely to be snow, somewhere round Tackley/Aynho, then realised there was likely to be more snow than would be comfortable, as the route to such places by road would be difficult and most importantly wouldn't get back in time for lunch!. Since found out the roads were blocked, never dreamed the train wouldn't make it either,

 

I heard on the news that Reading Oxford was closed due to snow. Not sure if that is correct BBC reporting, but in retrospect probably good idea it went no further. I see from RTT a number of Herford trains were terminated at Reading subsequent to steam tour.

 

Train cancelled at Reading due to points problems at Didcot for which Network Rail had put a block on at Reading, Oxford also closed due to points problems and problems at Stratford. Unfortunately these all due to the weather and not even Steam Dreams can help that.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

 

The ill-fated steam tour coasts into its enforced final destination.

 

Indeed, I presume the unfortunate punters must have been offered full refunds or at least full credits against a future trip? SD certainly have been unlucky these last few days.

 

Made our local paper.
http://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/steam-train-stranded-reading-after-14022721

 

Can we just have a good laugh at the video in this..?

“The Duchess of Sutherland looks a lot like the Hogwarts Express”