White Cliffs Circular, 34067 22/12/11

On time at ashford -37 pushing very hard

 

I'm seeing several reports of 37685 doing quite a bit of work on this tour - at my view at Tulse Hill 'Tangmere' was worked hard through the station (via pfm. 4, unusually) but without a trace of slipping, yet the 37 kicked in noisily for the climb towards Streatham - why? It seems that, possibly arising from the Deal incident, the pendulum has swung all the way across such that any strenuous effort by the steam must be a sign of problems! Surely, an insurance loco should be just that - for when the lead loco gets into difficulty? Keeping time seems not to be the issue, given the early running by Godstone. Over-cautious operating?

 

I'm sure I've read that the loco on the rear doesn't shove unless asked. Can anyone confirm this?

 

37 was pushinh hard past Norbury earlier as well - was worried it was diesel hauled since I only heard it from a distance

 

thats very disappointing, is this some problem with Tangmere in particular? Can anyone say when it last did a trip without a box?

 

A few photos from the waterstop at Penshurst this morning - 34067 Tangmere - Cathedrals Express - 22.12.11 - a set on Flickr

 

Whatever the "rules" are & what actually happens can vary by a mile.

 

Yet again this subject has come up , and YET ACAIN Tangmere is involved. Why is this engine particularly singled out?
If I was Tangmere's owner I would be asking some very serious questions as to why "my" loco cannot be trusted out on the main line on it's own. Plus would also threaten to withdraw the loco from main line service.

 

Well she managed quite well on the 9th of July this year non stop to Southampton and then and then kept time on ACE schedule from Salisbury to just outside Waterloo. Other trips to Weymouth have seen her on her own and performing well.

 

I suspect 'Tangmere' has been 'singled out' because of the serious delays (5 hours) caused when it stalled leaving Deal several weeks ago, when it was running 'solo'. The blame for that may not lie with the loco (a scheduled stop at Deal then a re-start in damp conditions up a significant bank were testing conditions for any lone motive power, let alone for the notoriously light-footed BoBs) but, even with a planned non-stop run there this time, there is no guarantee that the train would not encounter a signal check there anyway, leading to a similar potential stall. So...the diesel as insurance may have been a necessary evil, but it does not explain seemingly unnecessary assistance at other locations en route. Probably an over-zealous driver at the back wanting to play his part.

 

Tangmere came through the East side of Tonbridge on time and making the most noise I have heard a Bulleid make, ever. The 37 was ticking over on the back. She didn't disappoint the group on the bridge anyway!

 

Wasn't Filton an exceptional case? A sudden TPWS brake application.

 

Came through Ashford more or less on time - 37 was on more than tick over

 

It does seem that way.

 

It's not the fact it stopped on Filton but the fact it couldent restart, it could just as easily have got a red signal on the bank too, as i've said before 34067 has also come to grief at Exeter, Goodrington & Ore as well as Filton & Martin Mill, so i highly suspect the idea of 'lost trust' is pretty near the truth.

So the million pound question as to how to get the Diesel off 34067's back - a number of reliable trouble free runs to try and restore peoples trust in it would seem the best way.

 

A couple of clips have appeared on YouTube
Larkhall Rise
34067 TANGMERE THE WHITE CLIFFS CIRCULAR LARKHALL RISE 22 12 2011 - YouTube
Walmer
34067 "Tangmere" & 37685 "Loch Arkaig" on the (1Z68) White Cliff's Circular at Walmer - YouTube

 

Couple of pics from today. First shows Tangmere leaving Ashford on the Canterbury curve. Second shows Tangmere approachng Chart Leacon

 

There are a lot of stories about Exeter despite the 1in37 bank. Overloaded train, theory that 34067 wasn't doing much work leaving it all to 76079. As for Goodrington, that was on the P&DSR not on the main line. 5239 soon came to the rescue.

 

Happy to confirm that she stormed up Martin Mill with the 37 on tickover. Video will be up later.