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

Well, Heritage Railway Magazine's Facebook page reckon the ban has been lifted and that the 90mph trips WILL go ahead.

Here's hoping it stays that way!

James at SVN

 

And so say all of us I imagine !

 

Hoping to go see her arrive at the Cross and its a respectable time getting back into London.

 

As a prelude to Bittern's fast runs on Friday and Saturday, do not miss Titanic Trains - Monster Moves on Channel 5 on Thursday at 7 pm. About the process of bringing the two A4s across the Atlantic last year for the Great Gathering.

Followed by another railway programme, but outside the remit of this group.

Peter on a sunny Manchester bank holiday morning
http://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com/f731739511

 

Thanks for the heads about about this - now set to record.

 

Where's that bloody iceberg when you need it!

 

So with the York area steam ban now reinstated, will these trains be given special dispensation (unlikely), postponed again (is there time to do that now?) or run with diesel assistance (what's the point?)?

 

Is an A4 materially different risk relative to a Scot?

 

I suppose you could argue a Kylchap A4 is slightly less risk than a standard double Scot, but I doubt the difference would be enough, where does the York area end heading south on the ECML, could put the A4 on at Doncaster RMT ?.

 

Why is the ban back on?

 

Haven't seen anything official saying as much, but appears 46115 has been a naughty engine on the SSE today, exactly what we didn't need.

 

For those interested Oldham Video Productions are bringing out a DVD on September 16th called Bittern: The Need For Speed which covers the build up to the test runs and the event itself.

More info here http://www.ovpsteam.co.uk/48.html. I pre-ordered one as it sounds a very interesting DVD and a nice momento to a special event.

 

What is it about WCR engines and setting fire to everything? The 8f does it, the Scot does it - London Midland engines. Must be some kind of conspiracy. Just pull the plug and wait a little longer. The double Kylchap exhaust really does create a high smokebox vacuum. Any one on here ever seen the missiles 4498 used to launch? That being said 4464 did not have to work hard on the first trip with perhaps the exception of the climb to Stoke. The spark arrestor may not be the issue here. In fact the issue may not be down to a locomotive at all. Years ago fires were a problem between Chester and Crewe, "Bahamas" was the main suspect until one day the fires were reported an hour and more before the train passed the area of ignition.
This Summer weather may not be good for steam hauled excursions but at least we have not had a hosepipe ban yet. There, that should do it, expect thunderstorms, flooding and cloudbursts - well that is the way it normally goes when someone mentions such things.

 

Unfortunately, I doubt NR will be weighing up the relative merits of an A4 spark arrestor against that of a Scot etc. If a steam loco has started a fire then a steam ban is what we should expect. Still time to postpone. Lets not forget, a diesel hauled tour was cancelled recently with less than 24 hours notice !

 

Not just WCR....don't forget Vintage Trains 5043 Earl of Mount Edgecombe accused of causing line side fires on April 6 this year....

 

Yes indeed, I remember when she set fire to a significant part of the lineside near Chesterfield. If I'm not mistaken, it was this incident that lead to loco owners installing a new design of spark arrestor and BR carrying out a number of night time tests to prove their effectiveness.

 

Announcement from www.facebook.com/4464bittern that there has been no indication that the 90mph runs will be affected by a steam ban.

Also, 15 seats remain on the The Capital Streak this Saturday, you can find out more and book tickets here http://bit.ly/theCapitalStreak

 

There's a video of 4498 working a southbound CME back in the 80s climbing up to Ais Gill. Once the train has passed, the cameraman panned back round and there was a trail of fire and smoke stretching back along Mallerstang!

 

Lets hope so