If you register, you can do a lot more. And become an active part of our growing community. You'll have access to hidden forums, and enjoy the ability of replying and starting conversations.

Charing Cross?

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by kelal, Jan 19, 2012.

  1. kelal

    kelal New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2005
    Messages:
    60
    Likes Received:
    0
    We have in recent years seen steam out of almost all London Termini, including London Bridge and Cannon Street. The exception is Charing Cross, and I was wondering why this should be. I would guess that it has something to do with Hungerford Bridge, but perhaps someone could confirm this.
     
  2. ADB968008

    ADB968008 Guest

    When was the last steam from Cannon Street or Fenchurch Street ?
     
  3. david1984

    david1984 Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2005
    Messages:
    12,910
    Likes Received:
    1,387
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Birmingham
    Didn't 76079 & 45407 work out of Fenchurch St on LTS specials a few years back ? the Mogul was ex works at the time.
     
  4. ADB968008

    ADB968008 Guest

    Ah ha.. 1999 and 2001...time flies though That's 11 years ago !
     
  5. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    Messages:
    26,103
    Likes Received:
    57,432
    Location:
    LBSC 215
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Maybe it is more to do with capacity? There are only 6 platforms (AFAIK) and the section of line to London Bridge always seems pretty crowded - there is a very heavy commuter traffic. So maybe it's just not feasible to have a platform blocked for a considerable period with an excursion train; there is a need to get trains in and out rapidly to keep the platforms clear.

    Tom
     
  6. kelal

    kelal New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2005
    Messages:
    60
    Likes Received:
    0
    Past Time ran a tour 'The Man of Kent' with 34067 on 4 November 2006 which started at Cannon Street and returned to London Bridge
     
  7. Dan Hamblin

    Dan Hamblin Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2006
    Messages:
    2,544
    Likes Received:
    181
    Occupation:
    Rolling Stock Engineer
    Location:
    Kent
    I think Hungerford Bridge has a weight restriction on it. Having said that, I have seen loco hauled track recording trains in there between the peaks.

    Regards,

    Dan
     
  8. malc

    malc Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2005
    Messages:
    2,409
    Likes Received:
    274
    When they were operating Days Out advertised a train from Charing Cross, but it never happened - can't remember the reason.
     
  9. aperture

    aperture Member

    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2005
    Messages:
    446
    Likes Received:
    1
    Occupation:
    Professional Photographer
    Location:
    London
    I remember leaving for Hastings in the '50s from this station by Southern steam...those were the days.

    Unfortunately over the years this station has had a lot of re-development and resembles being down a pit with all the platforms covered over (like many at London's Victoria station)more so Charing +.

    You might find this the case,too much traffic on this line and no time for steam trains to hang around.

    But the thought is appetising to say the least in such an important year as this for London.
     
  10. steamybrian

    steamybrian New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2008
    Messages:
    144
    Likes Received:
    2
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    South East England
    It may also be due to any fire/smoke alarms fitted....????
    I am aware that steam and diesel locos are prohibited from using Victoria Central (platforms 9-19) due to the fire/smoke alarms have been fitted. Since the construction in the 1980s of the shopping centre over the platforms those platforms are classified as underground.
    Within the old station roof at Charing Cross offices/ shops have been built classifiy that as "enclosed".
     
  11. malc

    malc Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2005
    Messages:
    2,409
    Likes Received:
    274
    ...but things like that can change - at one time, steam wasn't allowed into Euston for similar reasons, but now it's fairly common. Similarly, is it only a matter of time that steam is allowed THROUGH Birmingham New Street? Vintage Trains have run some tours which started from New Street with steam and have dragged steam locos thriough the station behind diesels. Never say never!
     
  12. Wenlock

    Wenlock Well-Known Member Friend

    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2008
    Messages:
    2,027
    Likes Received:
    1,319
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Bus Driver
    Location:
    Loughton Essex
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    I seem to recall that back in the late '70s early '80s the weight restriction was such that even a cl73 EDL could only run over Hungerford Br under possession with no other train permitted to even be in the siding on the bridge. The development over the platfoms has redued headroom such since that there would be serious ventilation problems for a steam loco.
     
  13. Bulleid Pacific

    Bulleid Pacific Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2007
    Messages:
    3,991
    Likes Received:
    1,039
    Occupation:
    A Thingy...
    Interesting thread. I suspect that the key issue is track congestion, although the weight restriction is an interesting point. I take it that there have been no repairs to the bridge since the 1970s to alleviate this problem? The runs from Fenchurch Street, Cannon Street, Marylebone, St. Pancras and London Bridge were either before my time on the mainline or I couldn't afford the trip when they did run. I would like the opportunity to tick these off one day. When was the last time steam used Blackfriars?
     
  14. tfr99

    tfr99 New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2006
    Messages:
    43
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Sutton, Surrey
    I think the short platforms at Charing Cross/ the "Old" Blackfriars would be a problem for many charters. If the steam locos were on the country end then they would be over the river and maybe not a problem for fire alarms, of course returning to them would not be possible :)
     
  15. Romsey

    Romsey Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2007
    Messages:
    3,619
    Likes Received:
    1,636
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired SPM
    Location:
    Close to Spike Island
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    From memory, Metropolitan Jn to Charing Cross is RA 4 so class 73 EDL's need special authority to work test trains to and from CX. It's not just Hungerford Bridge, Alaska Street opposite Waterloo station is also restricted.

    In the final years of the Hastings DEMU's they were restricted to two platforms which had the most effective ventlation.

    Cheers, Neil
     
  16. Freebie

    Freebie New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 13, 2009
    Messages:
    138
    Likes Received:
    0
    Occupation:
    Professional Railway Dinosaur
    Location:
    The Old School

    Correct, EDL's, 31's, 37's on test trains have to have dispensation to run London Bridge to CX
     
  17. twr12

    twr12 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2007
    Messages:
    1,541
    Likes Received:
    694
    Mainline the Q1, the loco weighs 51t 5c, the tender 40 tons.
     
  18. david1984

    david1984 Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2005
    Messages:
    12,910
    Likes Received:
    1,387
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Birmingham
    I think another problem with Blackfriars is Snow Hill Tunnel leading from Farringdon, my understading it steam and diesel (under normal circumstances) are not allowed and droplight stock is a bit of a no no too.

    As for Charing Cross, how about suggesting it as part of a Pannier tour round London ?, they are probably light enough and with inside cylinders woulden't have gauging trouble, may be some other reason preventing it, but may be worth a look by someone.
     
  19. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

    Joined:
    May 30, 2009
    Messages:
    21,065
    Likes Received:
    20,775
    Location:
    1016
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    That's a good idea. And with the panniers arranged 'top and tail' quite a few options are possible. How many termini could be visited, for example? Almost worth a discussion thread.
     
  20. ADB968008

    ADB968008 Guest

    There was a diesel railtour which did this a few years ago with 37s...

    Ive suggested several times to have a pannier tour on pannier routes, which include freight lines and lines with semaphores,.. Sadly it fell on deaf ears.. That or the costs of bringing two panniers to London for a railtour are too uneconomic.

    2013 it may happen, after all there's steam underground between Edgeware road and farringdon being planned !
     

Share This Page