The Cathedrals Explorer - 2012

61994 tender first ex Inverness for a change ?

 

There are rumours, but no definite info. Which is the toughest climb on the line: Fodderty to Raven Rock, Garve to Corriemoillie or Strath Carron to the top of Glen Carron? Unless the train is lighter than previous K4-hauled Great Britain trips, I'd expect her to be chimney-first from Inverness as usual.

The Scottish gen. forum has times for Durham - Inverness, the Kyle trip, and Inverness - Aberdeen - Edinburgh. They are more tightly timed than previous trips over these routes, with fewer and shorter pathing and water stops. I guess that's partly the Tornado effect (longer range, plenty of reserve power) and partly DBS doing their own pathing. AFAIK, NR do the pathing for WCRC trips and then have to negociate changes if there are problems - is that right? (Maybe if James S is reading this, and has a few moment to spare, he could explain how it works for WCRC?)

 

or not !

 

What time will tornado be in York? And at what platform on Friday?

 

18.03 to 18.15 in platform 11, I think.

 

NR Train Planning currently do the planning and validation for all charters, based on the request received from the relevant TOC. Of course, DBS are at liberty to re-time their own trains, in order to create a path for a charter also operated by them. That is not to say they wouldn't for another TOC (and, on occasion, they have been most obliging for us) but, clearly, it is easier for one their own.

JS

 

Thanks James.

I've just seen the times for Tuesday on UKsteam. I had been expecting Aberdeen departure about 17:40, with stops at Dundee and Leuchars, getting to Edinburgh just before 22:00. However, looks like there's been a change of plan. Aberdeen's now 19:25, Edinburgh 22:40, and no stop at Dundee. The price of using this busy line on a weekday, I suppose.

 

Agreed. If it's a fine evening (if!) there should be a good sunset as you cross the Tay Bridge.

 

4464 Bittern tucked up for the night in Tyne Yard, easy accesable for a good photo as well.

 

Just looking at the timings for this tomorrow. Victoria is a good place to be between 11:30 and 12:30 as you'll see Britannia arrive with the CE, then Tornado leaving with it, and Clan Line should be appearing with the VSOE a few minutes later.

Just looking at the timings for Britannia's circular pickup trip in the morning and was rather surprised to see no water stop scheduled. Is that what the 16 minute pause at Tonnbridge is for? Normally I would expect a water stop at Shalford as this is very similar to the normal "Surrey Hills" run.

 

Not forgetting that Tornado should be banked by Britannia out of Victoria.

 

Could be, or it could be just because it is diesel hauled in then back to steam out.

 

Through Ashford Middx on time waking up the early morning commuters in the process.

 

Just seen the Brit putting on a bit of a show at mayford, the only ones there, running a few minutes down hot on the heels of a twelve car desiro, silver 67 on the back with the jubilee markings on, the box was doing no work at all when I saw it, shall post up a photo in a bit

 

Here is a video of the train at Chertsey at 7.50 this morning, looking and sounding very good. My zooming technique with new camcorder still need work! (I'll go and practise on Clan Line later......)

[video=youtube;f23P-ycGRwM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f23P-ycGRwM[/video]

 

Working well past Gomshall amid the oil seed rape. Photo on Flickr:

A Very British Britannia | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

Into Polhill Tunnel, north of Sevenoaks, a few minutes down looking good and even managing to drown out the noise of the M25!

 

Times for tomorrow north of Dalwhinnie appear to have been changed to allow an extra water-stop. The Scot-rail.co.uk gen site is reporting two extra stops at KINGUSSIE 18:48 19:02 and KINCRAIG 19:11 19:43. No stop at Carrbridge 20:03, so Slochd simmit now 20:17. Passing stop at MOY 20:29 20:33 (not Tomatin) and arrival INVERNESS 20:55. Let's hope for a sunny evening!