THE KENTISH BELLE ARMISTICE DAY (Tangmere now via Bromley)

Tangmere now re-routed via Catford, Bromley & Orpington, same route out of the capital as Tornado.

http://www.uksteam.info/tours/t11/t1111a.htm Tangmere
For those out and about on the day here's the earlier Tornado times
http://www.uksteam.info/tours/t11/t1111b.htm Tornado

 

Its a shame this tour has been moved away from the Dartford loop, but routing it down through Tonbridge has now created a very very rare sight on the south eastern mainline. Somewhere between Paddock wood and Headcorn will see 2 trains within 15 minutes of each other!

 

Imagine the photographers' scrum if 'Tangmere' had been booked to water at Paddock Wood and 'Tornado' overtook on the through road.

 

And imagine the driving rain and thick cloud that would inevitably descend!

 

Eeerrrrr............ not driving rain.

But sadly a dreadfully dull start to the day down here in Kent. And not forecast to get much better.

Reckon "on train" is the place to be for this one. Doubt I'll bother going out to photograph it.

For those on board, enjoy it.

For those linesiding, take some floodlights with you! LOL!

 

I Shall pop out and have a look at our two visitors today - less than 5 minutes walk to the line. Whether I shall take a camera is another question, its "full dull" here in Ashford

 

About 15 down at Ashford. A member of the "gallery" claimed there was a 20 minutes delay somewhere in South London

 

Paddock Wood today.

I did go out in the end as I suddenly remembered I wanted to test the combination of my Nikon D7000, (superb in low light), and my Nikon f1.8 50mm lens, (ditto), together for the first time in foul weather. And foul it was. ISO 1000. 1/1000th sec at f3.5. With 1.7 stops under exposed to bring the smoke detail out better. Very quick edit.

After 30163 went through the wind got up so the background was marginally better. But still pretty awful lighting.

 

Reported slipped to a stand on Martin Mill.

 

On the move again, approx 80 minutes late.

 

Gave up waiting

 

I'll second that. A lovely shot despite the conditions Bryan.
We nearly booked on this one on Monday but decided not to after finding out the train only goes back as far as Kensington Olympia. On previous occasions when leaving excurisons there we have got stuck at K.O. for very long periods of time as the following service trains seem to have a habit of failing or being heavily delayed. Lets just say that the last time it happened my Father lost his patience! I think he might have got a bit annoyed today going by the reports of the loco slipping to a stand and the delay this has caused!

 

Tangmere has been held at Dover after running short of water. It was overtaken at Dover by Tornado at around 17:40 ish. Tornado passed Ashford at around 18:18. It is reported that Tangmere departed Dover just before 18:00 now running about 3.5 hours late, and will stop again at Headcorn for more water.

 

I wonder if any members managed to get a photo of the 2 together at Dover? Must be a frustrating day for the crew on 34067; running about 3hrs late? Obviously the slip to a standstill on Martin Mill bank won't of helped with the driver, fireman and Support Crew laying down sand to get her started on the bank! But well done and hats off to them, with no help from a box!

 

Not setting a good example for steam tours again. At least the 60163 tour is going to plan.

 

Fine words from someone who won't be picking up the delay minutes for this mess or someone who was delayed all because of no 'box' on the back....

 

As much as I'll probably be lynched and my house burnt down for saying this, but..... today would probably have been a good case for a 'box on the back'. 34067 having to tackle Martin Mill from a standing start at Deal in damp conditions and in the leaf fall season was always going to be difficult, and today it ended badly.