Steam Dreams 2021

He wasn't wearing a hi-vi and the BTP were already there. He was only saying what he'd been told to say. I said that the train would only be coasting and the diesel at the back would be making more smoke than the Black 5. He said it was H & S gone mad.

 

I trust he then went onto the platform to herd all the passengers back on board at the water stop to avoid all that dangerous smoke!

 

And splashed by water....

 

I was up on the road bridge by then, so couldn't see the platform very well. Usually, the loco gives a whistle to warn people on the platform that it's time to get back on board, but not today. There wasn't even a whistle before starting away.

 

I wonder why the BTP were already there as there is no particular track trespass threat there (or has the water stop caused issues previously?). In any case, there is no trespass threat from the footbridge. BTP have officially acknowledged many times that enthusiats who are not trespassing or causing an obstruction are welcome at stations. Bizarre - I suspect I would have asked the railway staff who had told him to say that and if it was the BTP, taken the question to them. Saying it's because of the smoke is just laughable, coming from any source.

 

Unfortunately someone put a claim in after the passage of the Flying Scotsman on another route after the safety valve rose under the bridge. I couldn't believe it when it was mentioned. When the Haggis ran earlier this year, SWR put signs out stating the dangers of standing on bridges when steam services run. Looks like this message has carried forward.

 

As seen at Bradford on Avon at lunchtime.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/16582147@N07/albums/72157720196152061

 

44871 at Salisbury with the return leg earlier this evening.

 

Here's a short, but atmospheric, video shot during the water stop at Fleet:



TTFN,

Ron.

 

Good grief! Morons abound. Given what happened here, I can only assume the claim was upheld, then! It'll be interesting to see every bridge en route manned by staff to prevent further claims - presumably no-one at all will therefore be allowed to use these bridges when steam trains are due. What an utter nonsense - does no-one in authority have a jot of sense these days? I will certainly not be hounded like this and if the BTP want to waste their time on a fruitless task, so be it - good luck with proving the case in court.

Thank you for the information, BTW.

 

For anyone interested in the Santa and Christmas Steam Expresses, Tuesday 14th December will see 35028 Clan Line at the head instead of Mayflower. First Steam Dreams duty in 10 years for 35028 I believe.

 

I travelled behind Clan Line on a Victoria-Cardiff Cathedrals Express on 20th Aug 2012, so yes, nearly, but not quite, ten years unless anyone knows of a more recent instance.

EDIT: Six Bells Junction suggests it was also used on a Cathedrals Explorer on 10th May 2013
https://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/10s/130510sd.htm

 

My apologies, I had the double header with 44932 back in 2010 in my head as that was a WCRC operation. Didn't think about the DB Cargo operated trips.

 

No apology necessary, it's still a very rare event and a bit of a coup for anyone booked on these trains.
Not often you'd be able to get a main line run behind Clan Line for such a low price... even if it's unlikely to be able to stretch its legs!

I was rather expecting when someone mentioned 'Bulleid' in the other thread, that it might be something a bit more streamlined from 'up North.'

 

Great advance info - thank you.

 

61306 a couple of minutes down passing Arlesey earlier. 47802 on the rear - didn't appear to be doing any work, plus the crew were in the back cab and the radiator vents were shut too.

 

61306 Sprinting hard across the fens, must have been close to its max speed.

 

61306 at Arlesey on her way to Lincoln.
2021-12-05 61306 ARLESEY by KING COBRA 92, on Flickr

 

Headed for Lincoln not York, Ian.

Peter