Kentish Belle Armistice Day Special, 11 November 2012

There are rail replacement bus services east of Sittingbourne on Sunday.
National Rail Enquiries - Future Engineering Works
I believe this tour now is outward via Canterbury West though RTC web site still says via Margate. Can anyone confirm?

 

Yes. It is now via Sevenoaks both ways. Times will appear at uksteam.info shortly.

David

 

Thank you David.

 

This tour must be destined never to run to Margate. The same thing happened with 2011's November's KB to Margate, only that time I seem to remember, 34067 being out of gauge was the reason.

 

Photo of Tangmere going well near Marden Zenfolio | Paul Simpson | Kentish Belle Armistice Day Special, 11 November 2012 | Photo 1

 

34067 accelerates away from Tonbridge in ideal lighting conditions.



Michael Topham

 

And on the return this evening departing Paddock Wood.



Michael Topham

 

Some excellent photos above, wish I could of been day off today as the light and autumn colours looked lovely when I was driving over to Hildenborough tonight, however it was nearly dark when she went through...

BOB no.34067 'Tangmere' with 'The Kentish Belle Armistice Day Special' Sunday 11th November 2012 - YouTube

 

Tangmere was running well today, here seen at Pluckley.

34067 Tangmere 11-11-2012 - YouTube


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Nice video. I haven't been to Pluckley station for years. My Grandad took me a few times to Pluckley and a crossing just before it to see Eurostars whizz past.

 

Watching both those videos above, why was that THING on the back chuntering so much? I wouldn't of thought assistance was required at those locations. Can't see it's purpose in the first place.

 

It would have been very handy had it been there on this same tour last year when Tangmere had a shed load of troubles, no-one wanted that again, and someone on the tour said Tangmere had the odd issue today and there was the odd saving shove from the oiler. At the end of the day the tour ran, Tangmere put on a good show, and the PAX got home on time.

 

Great to see Tangmere stopping at Dover Priory for a quarter of an hour.


There are some photos on Dover Forum on this thread:

Kentish Belle Armistice Day rail tour - a discussion on Dover.UK.com


Have also uploaded a video to You Tube:

Tangmere departing from Dover Priory 11 NOV 2012 - YouTube

 

Providing warmth presumably, i can't recall any evidence of steam heat on the video's.

Chris

 

Sounds like a normal 47 on tickover to me, as you say if it's providing ETH, then that will push the "revs" up slightly, alternatively if the train was running in Vac mode, then shutting it down is not possible like on Air Brakes.

I seem to remember a few complaints last winter that WCRC steam heat leaked like a sieve on some stock, maybe this is their response to that issue ?.

Sound is never a good indicator as to whether a Diesel is powering or not, anyone who's heard a 37/4 supplying ETH to Aircons will know what I mean, if you coulden't see it, you'd be forgiven for thinking it was making a loud departure when it's actually idling.

 

Yes the 47 was proving ETH for most of the trip. The train ran in air brake mode. Tangmere slipped a few times on the climb to Martin Mill.

 

Here's a black & white clip taken outside Ravensbourne station, Catford loop line.
Kentish Belle Armistice Day Special, Black & White. 11/11/2012 - YouTube

edit: at 1:10 on this video, just as the class 47 passes below the camera, there is an object sticking out from the cantrail area on the 47, is this a piece of metal? It looks like it could do someone some damage if it were lower down the side. Let's hope it's just a twig caught as it brushed past the trees.

edit 2: It is a piece of the metalwork, it was there when it departed Victoria in this video (not mine) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZmVzTyxQlw

 

Don't know what the gradient profile is but Hildenborough is on a climb of some sort and it wasn't that far ahead of a service train which could explain the need for a small shove. Tangmere was certainly working at the front.

 

4 miles of 1 in 122 from approx 1 mile north of Tonbridge to Sevenoakes tunnel where it eases to 1 in 144.

 

REF vac brakes. If it was 786 that does not have vac so would never run purely for the exhausters. Believe Tangmere is dual braked so it wouldn't be an issue. Steam heat on longer trains is more risky and difficult to test and maintain so sounds like a good plan if there was ETH.

Sulzer diesels let out a chuggy sound when either ticking and heating a set (especially air cons) or when the power handle is just the tiniest bit open. But there's more chance one is doing little or nothing on a slightly rev'd tickover sound. You know about it when one is working in Scotrail 47/7 style mode as its more jolty in the back coach + with any amount of power as the roof fans, traction motors and exhaust are more lively and things get a touch noisier.