CATHEDRALS EXPRESS WED.17TH AUGUST

Not too promising.

 

Forget photography - waste of time going out for this one. 2 boxes and Tornado not doing any work. Seems little point in dragging a dead engine all the way to Weymouth and back.

 

Maybe theres hope for the return run with 3-4 hours at Weymouth ??? Otherwise, I agree, seems strange to tow her all round for the day as obviously the problem was known from the outset ??

 

No doubt all will be revealed eventually but one would assume a last minute problem with 60163 would have lead to delays but the fact the first sighting of this combo was around "right time" would suggest there was plenty of time to rustle up a spare 67. A bit of a mystery really.

 

60163 + 67 roughly on time just before Virginia Water. No 67 on the rear of the train. Have heard from a friend who was at Victoria this morning that the 67 on the front of Tornado would be detached at Basingstoke but not sure whether thats the actual plan.

 

Strange isn't it...just felt it in my water...don't venture out this morning in the London area with the camera on this occasion-I was right...let's wait for the excuse.It's got to be good.

 

Diesel pilot comes off at Eastleigh. No problem with Tornado apparently, just short of a fireman.

 

But surely you need a fireman even to keep the loco in light steam.

 

Yes, apparently the rostered fireman reported in sick this morning.

 

Hope DBS are going to compensate the passengers!

 

In such a case would it not be OK for a member of the support crew to keep the fire ticking over if she was not in charge of the train (so to speak!).

 

The Trades Union would not allow it!

 

True. I do know some support crew members who've fired throughout the tour.

 

Graeme Bunker the operations Director is a qualified fireman. Only problem is he works for WCRC!

 

I know what you mean, but ultimately its just essentially a dead in train move in theory so don't see what they could complain about.

 

Trades Unions or not, someone would have to be on the footplate to tend the fire. They won't have towed it cold all the way to Eastleigh.

 

This being a DBS train there would be a Traction Inspector and a Driver on the footplate plus a support crew member.They would have the fire in good shape ready for departure Eastliegh.
Colin.

 

Tornado down top of Parkstone Bank at 1319 drifting down behind the Poole stopper which was also late - motley collection of colours on the stock! DH

 

70000 probably had the blood-&-custard rake today for the Bath Spa Express.

 

Delays caused by bridge strike at Surbiton according to station announcements at Branksome. Even though this tour came "round the back", it seems they kept it in its slot.