Alton to Canterbury Cathedrals Express 3-10-13. Loco ???

Well it sounds, at least in some locations today, that it is being trusted to push one around.

Does the change to WCRC mean that Steam Dreams trips will really become a diesel nightmare?

Oh dear. And I was only joking when I asked if next years ACE could leave Waterloo behind a black 5 and a class 47.

But as the saying goes, nothing stays the same for ever.

 

Without knowing the technicalities of 33's I woulden't trust the sound it makes as an indication of pushing or not, I've been told a class 67 (ie as new a diesel as you'll get on tours) has to produce engine revs equivalent to notch 5 to produce ETH/ETS.

 

the train was pretty full even before it pulled into Woking so given its a midweek run I'd say Joe Public isn't put off booking by concerns about a "dreaded box" on the back

 

Totally agree with you, it's a point I've been making for some time here. It's only a few timers like me that want pure steam. Our loss to the market will have little or even no impact I guess. And I am just about lost now. Last trip was on July 9th 2012.

Not sure Joe Public would have known about the box when booking. But, again, I doubt many would have been bothered. As long as a steam loco is on or near the front, puffing steam and smoke and whistling from time to time.

 

I know diesels well enough by the sound, smell and clouds of diesel fumes to know when its pushing. Its not going to need to produce ETH on a day like this, is it.

 

If it is ETH stock then yes on a day like today the punters will be expecting it to be toasting their feet.

 

Passing Ravensbourne this morning:-

 

You can't know Diesel sounds well enough if you group them all together like that, that's like saying a Manor sounds like a Bulleid, in the same way a 33 sounds very different to a 37 or 67, a 37/4 when providing ETH will power up and down every few seconds to achieve this, yet despite the noise and sometimes smoke, the wheels haven't turned a millimetre, not has the handbrake.

It doesn't work like steam where the exhaust relates to movement.

 

I think WCRC "steam tour" stock is dual heated, So 70000 would be capable of steam heating the train if required. Although as mentioned totally not required today.

 

The 33 was pushing.

 

70000 was working very hard and gradually slowing as she pulled up the hill towards Martin Mill this evening after passing me.

Sav

 

Am certainly no expert and readily defer to others but Britannia was making a lot of noise when she vanished from sight east of South Acton station. Could be heard in the distance for quite some time. A photographer friend who was new to recent mainline steam was amazed by the sound and its duration.

 

Both 70000 and 70013 make an awesome racket. Makes me wish there were more big hills in Kent.

 

Longish vid this, but its all action.

1/ Last nights ECS Move through Bentley
2/ This morning out of Bentley
3/ Ashford Middx
4/ Chelsfield Kent.

 

I think I'm going be made to live to regret posting this but, only for reason of providing the correct information:-

33's do indeed run at a high RPM (550rpm) when ETH is ON.
33s were all built with ETH, from new (Southern Region specified dual brake ETH for all their electric and diesel locos: 71, 73, 74, 33).
BUT, not all 33s have the ETH maintained in working order, or even still in place; specifically: 33029 & 33207 had all ETH equipment and wiring removed by their previous owners, DRS.
So, if 33029 and/ or 33207 are attached to a train and revving higher than idle, they are powering.
The only mainline class 33 with working ETH is 33012, and that's in Eastleigh Works, waiting for it's overhauled wheelsets.
And, WCRs 33025's ETH could be reinstated, it only has a few bits missing......

 

Well that's it then. Diesels doing the work at the back on anything other than a "billiard table". Such a shame. And yet, I cannot image Vintage Trains having a diesel on a similar duty. So why the difference? It really does spoil it for me, and yes, I don't travel as much as I did (I have a massive model railway to run) but I would if I could be sure there was no diesel.

Yet again, Britannia is turned out without express headlamps. Yes, I know it is 2013 and any reference to the 1951 rule book in which it states that all steam locomotives must have the correct headcode at all times of the day and night. it almost irrelevant but if we are creating the past, then please get those express headlamps on. Imagine 5043 or 35028 running in this state! It would never happen!

 

Just through West Byfleet about 17 minutes down. Britannia working hard - 33 silent.

 

I take it no one knows the instructions that the two drivers had to follow on assistance etc from those in charge before they start getting shot down? Or even the agreements between both drivers involved, remember this is 70000's first tour since repairs so maybe even the owner(s) requested assistance in certain places.

Innocent until proven guilty but that obviously doesn't matter in some quarters.......

 

Through Whitton this evening, the 33 shut down and 70000 doing all the work.

 

I don't know the particular circumstances of this train or any other run by WCRC but just for clarification, assistance from the rear is only authorised where permitted in the sectional appendix. The only current exception as far as I'm aware is for the working of Network Rail's HOBC train which at 1/2 mile long needs a push from the rear loco on occasion.