The Spitfire/Hop Picker

WNXX site suggests that 70013 is not available for today and that train will now be diesel-hauled. Has anyone firm news on this?

 

Been told there are some gauging issues... 47500 and 37516 to haul the train today.

James at SVN

 

Definitely not steam today? I only ask because I was just about to head out to a couple of locations around Penshurst. I only checked on here just quickly, nearly went straight out.

 

Definitely, 47500 TnT 37516 through Kensington Olympia right time (report on SE gen)

James at SVN

 

Thanks James, might still head out to Nutfield as it isn't far from my house.

 

Bummer - glad I checked before going out

 

So they decided it was out of gauge on the actual day? Ah well!
The ironic thing is that 70013 replaced 30777 because that was out of gauge! I know 30777 is under repair anyway.

 

On the train we are told a FTR failure due to 10 inch crack in cylinder end casting. Not a happy bunny.

 

Thought it could not of been a gauge issue as most of that route has had steam recently. Went to Nutfield to try and find a crossing that I got lost finding the last time I tried, not a bad spot, one I will use for steam in the future. Video of the top and tailed diesels if anyone is interested...

Class 47 no.47500 & Class 37 no.37516 with 'THE SPITFIRE' at Nutfield 01/09/12 - YouTube

 

I presume they meant the cylinder cover? Better to find out at the FTR, rather than it 'letting go' whilst out on the main line, but what a devastating blow for all concerned; Ollie's been putting in some good performances recently; I'm booked for 2 runs behind her next month, so fingers crossed, I guess...

Mark

 

Very nice Ashley, a good location.

I did think was a little odd that gauging was the cause, especially as 70013 traversed the Faversham line last year IIRC. A 10" crack in the cylinder casting can't be good - I'm not an engineer by any means, but it sounds really quite serious. Surely a 10" crack would be spotted though before a FTR exam? Or is this something an internal feature of the cylinder? Hope 70013 gets better soon, hasn't had the best year - but has put in some outstanding performances in the last couple of weeks. (PLUG WARNING - Saw 70013 the other day on the Dorset Coast Express, made a great sound starting from a signal check at Shawford - the video from that chase is here: The Dreaming Spires Express, The Dorset Coast Express and The Cathedrals Express 15-08-12 - YouTube - Skip to 06:12 to see 70013 passing Swaythling, accelerating through Shawford and flying through Winchfield at 75, or 07:07 to just see the Shawford clip. The rest of the video is from the 15th August, with 71000 Duke of Gloucester, 34067 Tangmere and 4464 Bittern all putting in appearances).

James at SVN

 

I went to see it stop at Redhill. The poor passengers didn't look happy. I know I wouldn't be if I had paied all that money to get up early in the morning and find a 47 and 37 pulling my train. Anyway was nice to see a diesel for a change though. Heres my video: Class 47 no.47500 & Class 37 no.37516 with The Spitfire and The Hop Picker stopping at Redhill - YouTube

 

Disappointing news regarding this run. We had intended to go on this but the change of pick-up points (was originally Clapham Junction, now Clapham High Street) and loco changed our minds. Makes you wonder if the brewery will bother with these trips in the future as they lost the ones for the car show earlier in the year due to engineering works and had some diesel hauled last year IIRC.

 

Oh no This could really have a ripple effect, considering how many runs 70013 has scheduled. I hope that I'm exaggerating.

 

Indeed, hopefully it's not as bad as it sounds, but to my (admittedly untrained) eyes, it certainly doesn't sound like a quick fix, be interesting to see what happens with the Royal Duchy on the 16th now.

 

To put this into a little bit of perspective, It is good that this is September. Had this happened during July and/or August it would have been an even bigger nightmare for the 5305la. The Summer season is starting to run down. With the Conclusions of the NWCE, Weymouth, Fellsman, and CME seasons so far locomotives shall become more readibly available to substitute for Ollie.

 

I would imagine that 70000 shall be the substitute for 70013 on the Royal Duchy based by 60019 doing the Torbay and those 2 being in Bristol Right now. 34067 shall be in London pulling the first segment Paddington-Taunton on the Mayflower the day before, but anything can happen.

 

2nd time in 2 years this trip has gone out with a diesel :-(

 

I've been booked on this tour for the last 6 or 7 years and unfortunetly Olly has been booked on at least 3 and failed twice, consequently I've only travelled once behind her. so unlucky that this occurred on the Shepherd Neame trips. it's a great day if you enjoy travelling behind steam and drinking ale. However this may be the last Spitfire as there have been rumours circulating that this year may be the last for the hop festival due to council cutbacks...hopefully not. I hope Olly is soon back to full health and running again.
all the best
Brian Gillman

 

That would be a terrible shame, Shepherd Neame have been great supporters of mainline steam, including making a donation towards 70013's substantial firebox repairs a couple of years back.