LE movements, ECS and test runs 2023

Certainly explains part of it, thanks. Ironic that a Kent journey starts at the platform furthest away from the Kent lines! The Olympia meander is odd - would there be a need to to turn the set?

 

Turning the BBP set is one reason.
The other is not being able to get a path from the Down Brighton Fast at Pouparts Jn across the Up Brighton Slow onto the Down Brighton slow at Clapham Jn is another problem. Running via Kenny O and joining the Down Brighton Slow at Falcon Jn ( Country end of Clapham Jn) minimises conflicting movements on the Brighton ML. It just leaves the problem of getting through the TfL and freight services at Latchmere and Longhedge Junctions.

Cheers, Neil

 

Very hard to believe that a path couldn't be found across the BML on a Saturday morning. Steam has done it on weekdays previously at this time of year. The BBP could stay on the fast to Balham and cross there as another option to stagger the conflicts. However, if such a path really can't be found, so be it.

 

44871 + ECS move from Southall to Norwich on Friday, I am assuming the steam will be working on the front from Ely as has happened in the past.
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U63628/2023-12-15/detailed

 

With the mention of Balham I couldn't resist posting this!

 

Anyone out for the ECS,please ?
Considering phoning RTC and booking if BIL.

 

46115. AN

 

ECS move seems to have run in to an issue at Hellifield. Arrived 1259 and hasn’t yet left. Due in York in 30 mins

 

Thanks

 

46115 hauling today's ECS from Carnforth to York, seen at Borwick

 

Royal Scot class No. 46115 'Scots Guardsman' working 5Z51 ECS passed the old Borwick Station site towards Hellifield and York with Mick Kelly driving and Matt Southwell firing

 

Has SG failed? nothing showing after Hellifield

 

At 1746..RTT still showing the train as being in Hellifield Goods Loop

 

Just been told that one of the diesels has failed at Hellifield

 

Now on the move .

 

After six years of weaving special traffic freights around South London, pathing down trains via Pouparts Jn was always "interesting". Not least avoiding stopping loaded trains on the climb from Longhedge Jn to Pouparts Jn. For many years the gaps in the timetable for freights repeated each hour, so fitting charters was a case of timing back from the gap created for timetabled freight workings. The ECS in question is running on a Saturday so most of the gaps will have been removed to give a more robust timetable with better headways and more than minimum junction margins. Remember that charters are meant to be bid into "white space" and not affect any working timetable trains.

Further to this subject, VS735 points at Stewarts Lane Jn have failed and are temporarily "plain lined" so there is no route available in the up direction from the Battersea Reversible to the Up Stewarts Lane. Normally this would affect any charters arriving at Victoria platform 2 from Kent, Sussex or West London Line. Luckily for LSL, their Christmas specials are running to and from platform 7 via the Brighton Slow Lines. (Or they knew early enough to rebid the schedules for the Btighton Slow Lines.)

( Just how many Branch Line Society members want 219 points at Victoria?)

Cheers, Neil

 

It was forecast to be a reasonable day (for December), dry, 8C with even the outside chance of a glimpse of the sun. ECS workings don't always run to time, on well-used routes there is often a path every hour, with no passengers waiting a delay at the start can often mean running and hour late, two hours late . . .

I loaded up and headed for Clapham and decided on the occupation bridge that crosses over the line a few hundred yards to the south of the station. I parked and wandered onto the bridge for a recce whereupon the local farmer appeared with his tractor and drove across the bridge and into the field. This could be bad news! I returned to the car to consider alternative locations. After a few minutes he reappeared with a piece of agricultural hardware dangling precariously from the front forks of his tractor and disappeared back from whence he came. Whew!

The train had left Carnforth 3E and ECS workings regularly gain time on the route. The train was due at 12.18, I returned to the bridge and by 12.00 Oswald was ready. RTT does not report further progress until Settle Jn so it was a case of listen and wait or, for a change, wait and listen. A helicopter flew over, two cyclists pedalled past chatting merrily as they went on their way. For a short time there was some pale, watery sunshine but it soon vanished. The battery on one of the cameras was getting low ( I hadn't used it for some time and it was only half-charged when I left home - silly Oswald!). Then a distant blast of a Stanier hooter and some white exhaust visible through the trees to the left of the station. Round the curve and onto the long straight. The exhaust was white, no great lift, no roar from the Scot instead just steady progress. Then the trademark hiss-hiss-hiss of a blowing draincock, the lovely rhythm of wheels on rail joints. Plenty of billowing exhaust as she passed under the bridge followed by a snarl from the leading 47 (47.245), then clickety-clack as the coaches passed by. The train headed off and snaked away into the distance. It was unusual that the lead diesel was working hard, it is more usual that the tail gunner (47.804) gives a helping hand.

8C (but feeling cooler in the stiff westerly breeze), 20L & 33mph. I packed up and returned to the car for a mince pie and a drink of coffee (Oswald had remembered to bring a flask - well done, Oswald!) My route home takes me within 2 miles of Hellifield, might as well take a small detour and see if the train is still in the loop. When I arrived it was. I made my way onto the platform where Mick Kelly (driver) was chatting with a couple of watchers; there were perhaps only about ten of us. The train was due out at 13.09 but Mick appeared in no rush to get on board, just before 13.30 he did. Then nothing happened and nothing continued to happen.

It appears that 47.804 (on the rear) had been providing power (see Idris's video #606) but had suffered a "water issue" requiring the use of 47.245 instead. At Hellifield 47.245 was idling away whilst 47.804 was dead. Various scenarios were being considered. It could take some time - home beckoned! As I returned to the car park (around 13.45), a small flat-bed truck drew up and two guys with orange overalls and a big toolbox got out and headed up onto the platform.

I checked the details of my "FREE" lineside viewing pass, surely I must be entitled to some recompense . . . "top and tail" diesels, "show pony" express, long delays. As expected, I was entitled to exactly nothing. I wouldn't want it any other way.

 

I hear 46115 has arrived at York now.

Steven

 

Just worked a train in to York. Can confirm 46115 is being readied on the pit at the NRM. Currently both diesels also in the NRM, stock in Holgate. Normally they’d leave a 47 on the set, but currently non on. Is it too hopeful it might go without a tail gunner?!