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

Correct.

 

Good point, I doubt this would have been overlooked in Mr. Wilcock or Streeter's day in the Editor's chair.

Definitely one for the letter's page I'd say Ralph ?

 

Could it be that SR were only including post BR normal steam as the preservation era, rather than when individual locos were preserved?

Might have been mentioned here ready, bit short of time to re-read it tonight, (tabulating Short-Eared Owl ringing data at present, and cooking what I hope will be a yummy home made cannelloni !).

 

Isn't anybody slightly concerned that with only two weeks to go, diesel assistance is still mandatory on all steam trains in the York area, and it is suggested there will be no change in this situation before the end of August?

 

The run to the Cross? Doesn't look too bad...

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54979/2013/08/31/advanced

James at SVN

 

Excellent! Missed the first run from London but I'm on this.

 

The forecast is not that good at present re getting more rain around York as you suggest. But this is England, and things can and do change very quickly. Fingers crossed!

 

In Tony Streeter's "Down Main" column in the latest Steam Railway, he reports that 4464's certificate of "Temporary Non Compliance" has been extended to the "end of September" which suggests there might have been a suspicion the two remaining tours might have to be put back further when this decision was made.

 

Very sensible.

The lunch time forecast is for a high pressure and some heat returning next week.

The "advance" forecast is showing, for instance, York totally dry next week with temperatures building back up to 28 or 29C.

Whether that happens is of course another matter, but at least it seems the flexibility is there with the timescale allowed for 90 mph running.

 

Actually I was suggesting that even if we had Noah's Ark-like conditions for the next two weeks, the steam ban would remain in the York area. But it's good to know that there already seems to be a contingency plan for a further postponement.

 

It's been raining most of the night and early morning here in sunny Hertfordshire. Not York I know. 'Around York'-where does that extend?

 

Poppleton?

Cue the lack of northern georgraphy from those down south....

 

Looking at the BBC Ten Day forecasts for York, Darlington and Durham, there is little prospect of rain and increasingly high temperatures. I wouldn't be surprised if they pushed the two remaining tours back to September. We know they have the flexibility to do that, and I'm sure all would favour that over speed being limited on the day, or even worse, a box being imposed ? Time will tell !

 

I guess this is the path for the outbound train from Kings X on the 31st. I'm on this with my Grand Father. Fingers crossed everything goes ahead as planned....
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U85224/2013/08/31/advanced

 

I was under the impression that Diesel use around York was to do with concern over area's on the Scarborough line more than anywhere else ?.

 

Not necessarily. Have a look at The Waverley thread, for example, for an illustration of York Area control's current policy. Seems to me Bittern will need special dispensation to run without assistance next week. I wonder when will the decision be taken? Tomorrow? Tuesday?

 

Ticket has arrived this morning for the Tyne-Tees Streak next Friday.

Hopefully that is linked to the news in another thread that the steam ban in NR's York territory is now over?

Even before the downpour predicted for last night?

After all the uncertainty, I shall still only really believe it when I see Bittern on the front of the train and the 67 at a respectful distance.

Exciting, though!

Peter, on a Manchester morning where the sun is trying to prevail
http://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com/