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

The Tyne Yard thing came about with assorted ideas being kicked around regarding whether daylight running back to York was feasible, but then you had to consider platform availability at Newcastle, was an earlier path south available etc etc. Remember that on this occasion only, it's not so much about the destination but the possibility of 90mph running, and that makes a big difference. Good point about the cost, though...

 

How is turning going to be done on this one, Heaton table or a lap of the bridges ?.

 

Hi, I had planned to watch the Tyne Tees streak from Aycliffe Village but unfortunately we are in Leeds overnight on 4th December. We will be travelling back to Darlington on 5th December (now earlier than we'd planned so we don't miss it). Getting to Aycliffe Village even getting an early train would be a push so does anyone have any places they'd recommend between York and Darlington (or in York or Darlington) to view it go past? I didn't want to just watch it leaving York from the station or passing through Darlington station as I'd love to see Bittern at her best. Any idea would be appreciated.

 

Avoid York completely as it won't be doing high speed until some miles clear to the north, also at Darlington it could take the lines that bypass the station than go through the platforms so that's best avoided too, hopefully someone with more local knowledge can help you with suitable locations, but I'd suggest Northallerton as a last resort.

 

Try HERE.

 

Any chance of a link to these times? Looking forward to this after the wait...

Thanks!

 

You could try searching the RTT website yourself of course.
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54648/2013/12/05/advanced
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54655/2013/12/05/advanced

 

Hopefully the Capital Streak will come down Stoke in daylight.

 

I just dug out an old video shoot from the train from Waterloo non-stop to Southampton behind Tangmere to celebrate the end of Southern steam. I believe it may have been in 2010. Why do I mention this? Because the WC touched 85mph between Basingstoke and Winchester in a thrilling run. Why does this differ from the up and coming run with Bittern? Because it is all about the unexpected. No one predicted 85mph from Tangmere whereas everyone knows that Bittern will do just 5mph more on its run. We all like surprises, especially when high speed is involved.

Sorry to be a party pooper!

 

Times are now up on uksteam.info for the 19th July though ??

 

But surely we knew Spamcans can reach 108 allegedly

 

With two start-stop averages of 68 mph over very long distance on Britain's busiest lines in the 21st century I don't think we could wish for anything more.

For example on the final fast section from Connington to Hitchin. the Huntingdon to Sandy part requires 4464 to average 84mph. If then it must be back to 75mph by Arlesey, then the Huntingdon to Hitchin required average of 81mph should keep things lively up to then as well.

After that admittedly running is more usual for an A4 on the ECML in the 21st century: taking over an hour from Hitchin to KX. But that should not deny Network Rail planners praise for finding this path, or the management for having confidence in a 76 year old steam locomotive on the ECML on a Saturday in 2013 to keep to that path. Despite all the disappointments up to now hopefully it will be third time lucky, and at Kings Cross after the last trip there will be a platform full of smiles and it will have been all worthwhile.

 

Light at 16:05- 16:15 in December ?.

 

It will be getting on towards dark in Eastern England that time of the year. Sunset is, I think, before 15.50 in that area early in December.

A bright sunny afternoon and a clear evening will still give some light for timers though.

 

Sunset 15.47 ( Peterborough)

 

It'll be easy Al. Sit in the second coach with most lights off. Making sure all the lights are blazing in the first coach.

Or pull the curtains around you in a well lit coach so you can see the mileposts OK. Doing that used to amuse normal passengers a bit in the good old days! "What are you doing that for please?" .... "It makes it easier to spot the Bavarian Serving Wenches out there".

 

GPS machines don't need daylight nor do they need mileposts.