4464 Bittern to do 90mph on ECML - 29 June & 27 July 2013

I posted them on page 4 (I think) of this thread.

James at SVN

 

I rang Pathfinder ths morning about my ticket for the Tyne Tees Streak on Friday. Was told they are on the desk and being sent out today with confirmed timings.

Looking forward to it!

Peter, on another sunny Manchester morning
http://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com/

 

Have heard rumour now that it is to be class 67 hauled. Anyone able to confirm?

 

I hope that is not true. As a passenger on this train my personal opinion is that I would prefer it to be postponed given the current weather and forecast for the rest of the week.

Dave B

 

Railway Herald Link

http://railwayherald.com/uknews/hot-weather-hits-main-line-steam-workings

 

I guess we'll have to wait till tomorrow for a final decision on the Tyne Tees Streak. I too would prefer a postponement, rather than any half-baked version on Friday.

Peter, on a sultry Manchester evening
http://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com

 

Most steam trains, such as The Fellsman and The Scarborough Spa Express, should run as scheduled though that means with diesel assistance. However, if the two Bittern 90 mph trips cannot run unassisted, then they definitely ought to be postponed. The whole point of these trips is high-speed unassisted steam haulage. That's specifically what the passengers have paid for.

 

Times now in the system
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54924/2013/07/19/advanced

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54927/2013/07/19/advanced

Interesting the 66 minute timing from Newcastle to York on the return. If you remove the engineering allowance this comes down to 64 minutes or a flying average of 75.5 mph.

 

This one, above all others IMHO, needs a formal announcement by the Tour Promoter as soon as they know what is happening.

It's one very long day on the train for some, and I suspect others will be travelling to York to join it.

I'm sure they must realise that, so the only assumption I can make is that discussions about it are continuing?

As hinted at above, the return timings are not done for 75 mph running, (as shown on RTT). It's an 82.5mph pass to stop average from Darlington to York.

 

As a Tynesider I am not offended by this comment Big Al, but it is interesting that not one of these trips has started from north of York. Does that indicate where the people are that will pay for these trips? Certainly excludes a vast proportion of the interested population I would have thought. Of course, we can always travel to York and travel from there but it is hardly getting your moneys worth is it. So it might be a 'stand at the lineside and take photos' again for me.
I do hope it runs as advertised or what is the point, with a diesel included how many folk will question if it gave assistance or not?

 

I understand that the Newcastle trip on Fri 19/7 is likely to be postponed. More details shortly.

David

 

From Pathfinder's website:

"POSTPONED - Network Rail and DB Schenker, our train operating company, have advised us that because of the continuing extremely hot and dry weather they will not allow the operation of this excursion to go ahead this Friday with steam only haulage north of York to Newcastle and return. Letters have been sent to all passengers booked and we are currently waiting confirmation of a new date of operation".

 

Here is a link to the full press release.
http://www.pathfindertours.co.uk/in...es-streak-due-to-run-on-friday-19th-july.html

This is clearly the right decision and we look forward to the same excitement on a new date to be determined.

Peter, on a sunny warm Manchester morning
http://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com

 

Phew!

Yes, very good indeed by Pathfinder. IMHO.

Well done to them and all else who have been involved in this decision.

Just hope that schedule can be used again when the time comes.

Bryan, suffering severely from the heat in Kent. It's just getting hotter and hotter here. Shades of 2003? I do hope not.

 

Well done all for a prompt, in time announcement and the only sensible decision possible, although not said yet, I presume the same goes for the 27/7 unless any rain is due next week.

 

The announcement also mentions that one will be put back and their website now shows it as postponed as well.