The East Midlander Sat 9th April.

Looking forward to it! Lizzie's first of several visits to Chester this year it seems.

See everyone Saturday!

 

I'll be out at Daw Mill to see her pass in the morning before heading off for 'Carry on Moving III' with daughter in Sheff later. Hopefully back in time for an O Winston Link shot on the return leg up to Arley Tunnel (I wish). Plse toss bacon butty out of window at Spring Hill bridge in Arley Hope the trip goes well.

 

Hoping to get out but the car's playing up today so might be scuppered.

Chris

 

8.45 heading into Nuneaton

 

Reported approaching Leicester on time.

Chris

 

Passing Bordesley Junction this morning: http://www.flickr.com/photos/61102738@N08/5602207021/

Could hear her pulling out of Tyseley in the distance with quite a bit of slipping on the damp rail.

 

A few shots at Daw Mill. Lizzie looked and sounded well!

http://rickeborall.zenfolio.com/p1012469282

ATB..Rick

 

Running ten minutes late at Uttoxeter, but she was going like the clappers and looked fabulous. I was supprised how many were out to see her, loads more that the Duke through Lichfield a couple of weeks back.

 

One shot of Lizzie passing Hinds Crossing, Whetstone this morning

http://cliffjones.zenfolio.com/p542915620/h230a9632#h230a9632

 

hooray......sorry, just couldn't resist that

 

I have been told the delay was due to Photographers on or too near the line, which was reported to a signalman, by a preceding train....and hence the signalman pulled lizzie up at a signal, and when the driver rang him, he was asked to proceed with caution...
Raplh i saw you on the platform at Crewe and was looking forward to seeing a video from you, I didnt realise you were on the train!!!! Thanks for sharing the info with us, its much appreciated, especially the speed figures!!!

 

At the very last moment I managed to organise some transport so managed to see Lizzie at Alsager, Wardle and departing Chester. Bit of a last minute panic so not the best of locations but at least I saw her.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRBit-vuZto

Chris

 

The delay was indeed entirely due to a band of what can only be described as imbecile photographers near Syston. When we eventually passed them there were around 8 morons spread out along the ballast shoulder of the up slow, with the chief imbecile resting his foot on the cess rail of the up slow running line, and with his back to any oncoming traffic! They had been spotted by the driver of a preceding train, who reported them to Leicester PSB. We were then stopped and cautioned by the signaller, who then allowed us to proceed under a warning. It will not only have affected us, but other trains in the area who will have been stopped and cautioned, until the signaller is advised by another driver that the idiots have been re-located in a padded truck which is hopefully taking them away to detention in a secure asylum somewhere. What will then have happened is that all the wise guys dealing with delay attribution on behalf of East Midlands trains, DBS and others will have latched on to the source of the delay, and there is probably a sizeable bill for an incredible number of minutes consequential delay currently winging its way to West Coast as a result of these Moron's day out. When are some of these people going to realise that you just cannot do this sort of thing any longer. It will of course just provide a bit more fodder for steam's detractors. If anyone out there has any idea who these people were, either have one last go at trying to educate them, or alternatively if you are not particularly keen on them, let us know who they are.

regards
Bob