Edinburgh Christmas Market, 21/12/19

A good journey up, with lasting vapour trails in our wake visible on the curves. Not a particularly demanding schedule, but the weather has made it what it is - a fine way to round off 2019.

 

Fantastic images, thanks for sharing

 

Great shots all.

A chilly, festive but packed Edinburgh left behind. 10 late leaving, due to late arrival of stock but now on time leaving Drem loop.

 

Crackin shots Jonny good to see you today. East was the beast today

 

Very nice Andrew!

 

Edinburgh Christmas Market by Henry Elliott, on Flickr

 

Superb photo there Henry.

 

Excellent shot there Henry

 

Thank you David.Andrew

 

Couldn't really have asked for any better. A nice sparkle off the loco and a super reflection. Wish I could've been there!

 

Does anyone know who the fireman was northbound and the driver southbound?

 

I'm told that Chris Cubitt was driving when she arrived at Durham on the southbound run.

Mark

 

Did anyone get any video of this run? Not a huge amount on YouTube.
This trip finally broke my duck of steam north of Newcastle after a couple of 'failed' attempts. Tornado performed beautifully and big thanks to the owners and support staff for stepping forward in what turned into a very busy couple of weeks for them. The scenery and weather along the Northumberland Coast was a delight, with views of Deer, Geese and Whooper Swans in the fields.
The trip itself was a curates eggs performance wise, with some slack periods mixed with some sustained high speed running. Highlight was a 'brisk' dash through Chester-le-street on the outward run, but there were many other periods of 70mph+ in the total route mileage of 408 miles. When you consider I booked this with an RTC discount code, it made this trip unbelievable value.
The numerous loop visits north of Berwick meant an occasional shove from the 47, but otherwise Tornado did the rest. The heat from the 47 was very efficient in our coach to the extent we started to feel like roasted turkeys and had to switch it off!
This was a thoroughly enjoyable trip and a good way to sign off 2019 which has been a busy railtouring year for me. With some bookings already made, 2020 looks to be a mixture of old favourites, plus some new track, starting with a Winter CME in February.

 

I knew I shouldn't have mentioned the 47 - my comment was actually meant as a positive for the lack of involvement we had on a trip from the perspective of someone who was on the train.

Alas - even the slightest mention of a diesel is like a red rag to some on here and I hope this doesn't descend into another diesels on back debate which has been done to death.
I am now going to have a break from NatPres!

 

Perhaps it helped to more quickly fit us in time wise amongst all the other traffic.

 

Precisely, a glance at RTT showed that, plus the fact a couple of times we were passed at high speed before we had barely come to a stop in a loop. There is difference between 'manageable' and causing delays on a busy mainline where everything else accelerates like a Ferrari and is doing well over 100mph..

 

Ive not travelled the East coast much, so correct me if I'm wrong, however south of York is predominantly 4 track? North of Newcastle is mainly double, so I would imagine pathing is more difficult.

 

Ever the expert.