If you register, you can do a lot more. And become an active part of our growing community. You'll have access to hidden forums, and enjoy the ability of replying and starting conversations.

35028 Clan Line to Exeter - now 10/08/19

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by alastair, Jan 16, 2019.

  1. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

    Joined:
    May 30, 2009
    Messages:
    21,065
    Likes Received:
    20,775
    Location:
    1016
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Anyone spot that the down path to Woking crosses over at Queenstown Road and the trip is allowed 11 min to Clapham and 32 to Woking. Nothing new there.

    On the return, we are allowed 31 minutes but 7 in from Clapham. That will need to be rather quick if we are crossing at Queenstown Road again.
     
  2. Romsey

    Romsey Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2007
    Messages:
    3,619
    Likes Received:
    1,636
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired SPM
    Location:
    Close to Spike Island
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    The return working is booked FL Worting Jn to Waterloo. No weave at Queenstown Road.

    Cheers, Neil
     
  3. derby2

    derby2 New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2008
    Messages:
    187
    Likes Received:
    764
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Ran out of jobs
    Location:
    Somerset
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Various people have asked me (not on NP yet though) "how have MNLPS/UKR again managed to get a fast line path from Waterloo via Surbiton, whereas other operators have to go the slow route via Staines"? Well, without giving away our 'industry connections' the short answer is you don't ask to leave and arrive during the busiest time - which is the most of the day/evening at Waterloo. But that is certainly not the whole story. Even the 07.52 departure path that we identified for Saturday's run requires a fair amount of flexing of SWR services. So that means working out what those various re-timings should be, getting them agreed by SWR and the new schedules input into 'the system' at least 18 weeks beforehand. In other words, "if you want it, you do the work, and we'll decide whether we agree or not". In theory, all this should be done by the charter TOC, but as we all work well together, and there are 4 ex train planners within the MNLPS operating committee, we did the legwork and submitted it through DBC and NR. It also does help to know the right people of course! Simple requests to leave at 9 or 10 0'clock in the morning and go via Surbiton will be rejected due to no paths available. Yes, we did it mid-morning from Waterloo on a weekday with the Bournemouth Belle two years ago, but that was a unique occasion which required shedloads of alterations to be agreed, and SWT were very co-operative.
    So we look forward to Saturday and hope for a great trip. Nearly 400 miles of steam behind 'London's locomotive', lots of fast running anticipated, no silly advertising board on the front and no diesel on the back - what's not to like?! There's only a small handful of seats remaining (as of last weekend) so get in quick!
     
  4. derby2

    derby2 New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2008
    Messages:
    187
    Likes Received:
    764
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Ran out of jobs
    Location:
    Somerset
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    No debate Don. If you have a Woking pu stop - which on this trip you really must - then there is absolutely no FL path onwards to Basingstoke. We knew this from the outset; too many fast services bearing down on us. As Neil has said though, FL all the way back from Worting to Waterloo.
     
  5. gricerdon

    gricerdon Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2018
    Messages:
    1,572
    Likes Received:
    726
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Gricer and Grandad
    Location:
    Wallers Ash
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Yes of course when you think about it. But is the Basingstoke stop needed? Without it the charter could stay ahead of the 905 Bournemouth and 920 Exeter. Being picky though as it looks really good
     
  6. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

    Joined:
    May 30, 2009
    Messages:
    21,065
    Likes Received:
    20,775
    Location:
    1016
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    You are asking the wrong person. The tour promoter, not the loco owner, calls the shots on pick ups and, of course, whether they fit in with the meals service!! I presume the logic is that few folk can easily get to London for an early start and so the M25 and North Hampshire areas are where to trawl for business. Same logic with the CME out of Euston where most people get on as the train heads north - MK/Rugby etc.

    And, no doubt, if you just want a ride and no meals, I'm prepared to bet that you could board/alight at Salisbury as well, even though it's not given as a pick up.
     
  7. banana patch

    banana patch Member

    Joined:
    Jul 22, 2011
    Messages:
    221
    Likes Received:
    54
    The weather is being kind too plenty of rain Friday and Saturday !not sure holiday makers would agree though!!
     
  8. gricerdon

    gricerdon Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2018
    Messages:
    1,572
    Likes Received:
    726
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Gricer and Grandad
    Location:
    Wallers Ash
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer

    Yes but gales which usually means trees down
     
  9. gricerdon

    gricerdon Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2018
    Messages:
    1,572
    Likes Received:
    726
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Gricer and Grandad
    Location:
    Wallers Ash
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Are any changes being made to the 1850 Poole to Waterloo which as it stands leaves Farnbrough two minutes in front of the charter?
     
  10. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2015
    Messages:
    6,078
    Likes Received:
    4,893
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Swanage
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Yes I would agree this country shifts from fire risk to Autumn gales and all the associated issues in the blink of an eye. Even the BBC weather described the Friday and Saturday forecast as October weather at lunchtime yesterday.
     
  11. banana patch

    banana patch Member

    Joined:
    Jul 22, 2011
    Messages:
    221
    Likes Received:
    54
    Yes indeed when I booked I was concerned about heatwaves not gales!!
     
  12. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2015
    Messages:
    6,078
    Likes Received:
    4,893
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Swanage
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    What is the issue Don? I understood from post #64 and looking at RTT that it is FL all the way back from Worting Junction
     
    Shoddy127 likes this.
  13. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

    Joined:
    May 30, 2009
    Messages:
    21,065
    Likes Received:
    20,775
    Location:
    1016
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    2B72 goes out onto the main at Farnborough so if the charter is early it will be checked. The crew will have worked that out though.
     
  14. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2015
    Messages:
    6,078
    Likes Received:
    4,893
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Swanage
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Sorry I had missed that Al.
     
  15. gricerdon

    gricerdon Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2018
    Messages:
    1,572
    Likes Received:
    726
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Gricer and Grandad
    Location:
    Wallers Ash
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    It is bound to be checked even If on time as the gap is only two minutes
     
  16. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2015
    Messages:
    6,078
    Likes Received:
    4,893
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Swanage
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    An SWR train on time from Poole or Weymouth Don whatever next!
     
    free2grice likes this.
  17. gricerdon

    gricerdon Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2018
    Messages:
    1,572
    Likes Received:
    726
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Gricer and Grandad
    Location:
    Wallers Ash
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Well yes I know it’s unlikely but miracles can happen. Anyway I am just going to sit back and enjoy the day
     
    banana patch likes this.
  18. Why would they do that just to benefit 300 people being hauled by a kettle?
     
    Hugh Eric Jorgan likes this.
  19. free2grice

    free2grice Part of the furniture Friend

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2005
    Messages:
    5,283
    Likes Received:
    2,650
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired Rolls-Royce engineer
    Location:
    Bath Green Park / Mangotsfield
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    It's called cooperation. Two parties working together to ensure that both the service train and the steam charter are not delayed.

    It's also called common sense. Something that's not often found in the modern world. <BJ>
     
  20. Shoddy127

    Shoddy127 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2005
    Messages:
    1,905
    Likes Received:
    330
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Portsmouth
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Well start from now Don, enjoy the day and let others take the strain.
     

Share This Page