Cathedrals Express 21st/22nd Dec.

Looks like the GCR's loco roster is due for a change then.

 

44932 was out and about once more today, quite a heavy load behind it too and it managed it without a slip into and out of Clapham (from over the hump), and starting on the inclined curve at Stratford.

 

45305 has been replaced on the GC roster by 30777.

45305 going to Southall from Tysley on Sunday pm.

 

I would really like to go and see this train and experience a Black 5 double header. I live in Bracknell.

Where would people recommend for me to go? I don't really know the route at all, but obviously it's nice to see the loco's working hard, running fast, ideally up a bank, ideally with a long photogenic view of the approach and of the retreat. Plus it should all be in daylight and not looking directly into the winter sun! And I end up with a nice video of the event. Not too much to ask is it? To get wherever I need to go, I'd use the M25 to get round the south side of London, and to get home again. I don't mind standing in muddy fields if I have to (well, OK, sometimes I do mind......)

Thanks for any info!

 

Deleted - brain disconnected!

 

The Surrey train was cancelled a week or two back. The Kent circular is still on.

 

45305 has been declared a failure and won't be coming to Southall for her runs on 21st & 22nd http://www.5305la.org.uk/news.aspx?ID=292

So. With only 44932 available, what happens now?

 

Riley International Rescue? Or is 46115 available? I think everything else has entered winter maintenance or is in use on Santa Specials.

Regards,

Dan

 

Reading the link, another "victim" of the weather - frozen solid.

 

well given I'm in coach K it's down to be a heavy train.... Would imagine it'll need assistance with just 1 loco.

Part of me has to question why it was allowed to freeze up knowing it had up-coming work... but I'm sure there's a reasonable explaination...

 

Is Leander available to do a practice of a Black 5 double header in preparation for 30th December?

 

I was wondering if we've had 5s in Kent this year, and we're expecting an 8F next year, would a 'Joob fit?

 

Just posted on the 5305la website:

Not sure whether the operator can get a replacement loco for these tours at this late stage.

 

I would think that 60019 is available for the run to Norwich on Tuesday. As for the trip on Wednesday, running in the opposite direction via Canterbury and Minster to Dover may allow 44932 to handle it alone.

 

If it's load 12 or less, we have no more snow and with a change in direction around the coast they might get away with 44932 on her own.

 

A duet with Clan Line perhaps? Or perhaps an insurance policy on the back?

 

According to UK Steam the trip is cancelled...............perhaps a wise decision.

 

I fully appreciate the problems suddenly faced by Steam Dreams but this would not be what people have paid for. The whole attraction of this trip scheduled for 22nd was the "wrong -way" routing around Kent. I would suggest the easiest and fairest solution would be for Steam Dreams to postpone the trip until sometime next year.

 

Just to clarify, the trip on Tue 21st with 45305 to Norwich is cancelled. The trip to Dover on Wed 22nd with 44932+45305 is still on as far as I know, but with another loco replacing 45305 (hopefully).

 

Clan Line will replace 45305 for the trip around Kent on the 22nd. Letter recieved from Steam Dreams this morning:

It is with great regret we have been forced to postpone our trip to Norwich tomorrow, 21 December. This is a direct consequence of the current freeze affecting Great Britain – the scheduled loco 45305 could not be moved down from the Midlands over the weekend as in the exceptionally cold temperatures (below -10) it was not possible to defrost the engine safely.

Unfortunately as there are other steam tours out tomorrow there are no other locos available in the whole of Southern Britain . We did investigate yesterday, Sunday, the possibility of running with a diesel hauled set but it was not possible to find a loco and coaches combination that could be heated which clearly would not have been acceptable to anyone.

Given that there is also further snow forecast later today in the South, Midlands and East Anglia we feel this is the best option at this time. We do have seats available in all classes (about 50 altogether) for Wednesday’s White Cliffs Luncheon around the Kent Coast . This is now to be hauled by Black Five 44932 and we are very pleased to announce that it will be double headed with Merchant Navy Class 35028 Clan Line replacing. We are very grateful to the Merchant Navy Locomotive Preservation Society for offering this locomotive and if anyone on the Norwich trip wishes to join this tour (it leaves Victoria (10.44 returning 17.00), picking up at Bromley (11.17) and Tonbridge (11.54) then please let us know ASAP and we will transfer people on a first come first class basis.