The Tynesider 27/11/10

Re: The Tynsider 27/11/10

Two A4's at Hornsey yesterday afternoon, 60019 was over at Ferme Park as 60007 whistled past on her way to Kings Cross.

Mike M. (70c)

 

Re: The Tynsider 27/11/10

Well I’m not really an impartial observer but it was wonderful to see 60007 back out on the mainline. The loco was in fine form after the hard work of the team at Grosmont.

We were running on time approaching York but were held 10 minutes at a signal waiting for an East Coast service to vacate platform 11 (why did it have to use that platform, the station wasn’t exactly busy!). Ah well, that put us out of path but we had an excellent run to Retford and even better run South but were turned slow line at Stoke summit (as booked) and held outside Peterborough. Never the less with a long water stop scheduled at Connington we were away on time only to come to a stand for 30 minutes at Huntingdon due, so we understood, to a fire at Wood Green. Given all that we did well to arrive only 20 minutes down.

Thanks to everybody who posted pictures and news of 60007 in the press. The SNGLPT webmaster and magazine editor always welcome input: Webmaster@sirnigelgresley.co.uk and Chime@sirnigelgresley.co.uk

 

Re: The Tynsider 27/11/10

No7 - I do not know which York station you were at yesterday morning but it cannot have been the one that 1Z42 was waiting a platform for. All five through platforms were in use at the time the 06.51 Kings Cross - Edinburgh arrived (10 mins late) in Plat 11 so there was nowhere else for it to go.
It seems to be a common theme in these threads to assume that because one cannot see an immediate reason for something happening that it must be due to the railway being run by idiots. On a system beset by problems yesterday Network Rail managed our train with the minimum of fuss and delay, and to suggest otherwise would be very unfair to them. Credit should be given where it is due.

Peter James

 

Re: The Tynsider 27/11/10

Couple of comments after yesterdays tour, being on-board.

As mentioned above 60007 put in a great performance when allowed, last years run was much better, but a combination of poor weather and delays beyond the crews control made for a stagger after the water stop at connington. The start from the stop was however top knotch, with a great start on a rising gradient before joining the fast line.

The return with 60019 was again a stagger, pieces of "lightning acceleration" being cruelly stopped by checks for slow line running and crosses back onto the fast.

The load for 60019, including water carrier and 47 on rear probably equated to load 14/15, we were in the second to rear coach, and all felt that "help" was being given away from signal slacks, and especially from KX on the return. The level of acceleration was almost HST like in some places. Dont know what other people of the tour think, or whether it actally happened, or whether it had to, to keep the tour on path thats all.

 

Re: The Tynsider 27/11/10

So the lesson of yesterday was that 2 A4s can run to time, if modern trains keep out of their way!

I understand that Driver Cubitt was on top form yesterday on the regulator of 60007 - not sure quite how much of the journey Chris was in charge for!

Steven

 

Re: The Tynsider 27/11/10

He certainly got out of the rear 47 at York, before leaving !!!!!!

 

You cannot talk about engine crews being on top form when the train is being assisted by a diesel.This is just a statement of fact and not a dig at the particular people driving and fireing on the day.

 

Chris Cubitt drove all the way down and then "diesel sat" on the way back to York after the rostered driver was delayed and wouldn't have got to Kings Cross until after had 60019 left!

The diesel was providing heat and, of course, shunting at The Cross.

Steven

 

Re: The Tynsider 27/11/10

My apologies. All I can say is I was on the train not on the station. Two northbound trains when past us about 5 minutes apart while we were held for 8min 55 seconds, not including the slow run up to the signal. When we arrived, as far as I could see no through platform were in use, certainly not 10 or 9. I am sorry for any offence I am sure these things are not done deliberately but a 9 min late arrival and 14 min late departure multiplied to 30 mins late a Connington because we were out of path. When running we pretty much maintained booked times and every effort was made to recover what we could. Shows how one small issue can knock-on.

Again, my apologies no offence intended.

 

Re: The Tynsider 27/11/10

I suspect that our booked path had very little meaning on Saturday, such was the chaos that East Coast and Grand Central trains were in with many being delayed by an hour or more, and it is quite surprising that we stayed as close to it as we did. Regarding diesel assistance, there was no apparent assistance on the outward journey - indeed the diesel driver appeared to be sitting in the rear cab of the 47, so I think it unlikely that he was providing power. Not sure about the return, although I have to agree with guycarr360 that the acceleration did appear to be very impressive, particularly on departure from KX. One thing I did notice during the water stops was that the 47 was quite loud even when it was static, so it would be difficult to tell from the sound whether it was assisting.

 

Re: The Tynsider 27/11/10

As you say southbound, everything was as expected, it was only northbound my suspicions were raised.

Top day out....

 

Re: The Tynsider 27/11/10

Mr Pete James who is sometimes on the shovel?

 

Alas not this time - I was the guard on Saturday

Peter James

 

Rubbish. Box on the back or not, the steam crew need to be on top of the job or it will still go pear shaped.

 

Spamcan81
You are entitled to your opinion and I am entitled to mine.I expect drivers and firemen to be competent in doing there job but that does not mean in my mind that they are on top form when they are getting assistance.

 

Ralph W.
Look at my original post.I will say nothing more than I am entitled to my opinion.If you or anyone else wants to waste there time travelling on these things when assistance is there so be it.I won't be.

 

I think I would feel sitting there if something had gone wrong waiting for diesel assistance would be more of a waste of time than travelling with diesel assistance already there if needed - and I repeat - the diesel was there providing heat and to shunt the set to and from Ferme Park.

My understanding is there was little if any assistance for the majority of the trip down. (Or rather, in correct railway terms, "Up"!)

Steven

 

While I can understand some of Palace Gates sentiments (although not sharing them) I feel now that his comments boarder on the offensive with regard to the crews and are certainly becoming boring and repetitive. We all know his views by now, please would he just allow those of us who still wish to ride behind 'Steam with insurance (and heat)' to enjoy the spectacle without these unnecessary comments!

 

Sorry, but I think that's nonsense and an insult to highly skilled, hard working, professional people.
But, as you say, you're entitled to your opinion.