Steam Dreams 2013 & 2014 Archive

I imagine they will - IIRC (it was in one of the 'What's On' threads from September from, I think, one of WCRC's officials), the MNLPS would've been up for doing the Dorset Coast Express on the 11th September, but they already were committed to the VSOE trip to Bath. I assume the MNLPS and WCRC get on fine if it was one of WC's people mentioning it. I'll try and find the thread and edit this post accordingly.

*EDIT - from the Dorset Coast Express thread*

James

 

Mailout received from Steam Dreams today

1/3 Bath & Cardiff - Tangmere
5/3 & 13/3 - Scots Guardsman over S & C only.

Cathedrals Explorer
Day 1 Duchess of Sutherland
Last Day No .9
Other days 2 Black 5's . I presume 44871 & 45407.

 

Will Tangmere be repaired?

 

Probably waiting to see what, if any recommendations comes out of the report into Winchfield.

 

I see the 15th March trip to Salisbury has an unusual starting point, Southend Airport Station, you can see the Vulcan bomber shortly after departure,on the left hand side, in the direction of travel

 

I'm not booked on the ACE Al, presumably you are?

If it ends up with a MN out of Waterloo and an 80 minute schedule with realistic pathway to Salisbury I'll regret it as I am sure late seats will not be available.

But to me there are just too many variables that could affect the run. Even with a MN and an 09.55 ish departure and a schedule somehow squeezed to around 90 minutes or a bit less it will not be the same for me. Even 80 minutes unchecked meant a fairly ordinary run. My best runs were net times of around 73 - 74 minutes.

And I'm still going to have to put my Owl book work ahead of everything else for a year or two. I can still cope with such as last Saturday with a 375 mile round trip and 8 hours walking a muddy and windswept sea wall, (for less than ten seconds of Owl action, but some very interesting information for my book). But the years will make that harder and harder so I just have to get the really physically demanding parts of the Owl work done while I can still undertake such days.

 

In the latest issue of Heritage Railway which came in the post today it is reported that 60007 will be moving South to Southall to work some CE trips this year and act as a standby loco for the CE. Might be tempted to a few of these if I can afford them.

 

Oh, Goodie!!

 

Fantastic, first the Duchess now 60007, looks like 2014 is shaping up a bit, will Galatea settle old scores with Eastleigh too, 2014 is the 50th anniversary of its withdrawal a long way from LMS territory

 

It would be good if 60007 was rostered for the trips to and from the Bluebell on 3rd and 5th July - a blue engine on the Bluebell would be rather appropriate. Sadly, I would expect that there is probably a bridge or platform edge somewhere between East Grinstead and South Croydon that will rule this out.

 

I think 60007 will most likely be rostered for trips between NNR Gala 7th - 9th March ( where it is due to appear subject to gauging) and NYMR Gala 25th – 27th April & 2nd – 5th May. It will probably be required on the NYMR in the summer months.

 

I forgot to add yesterday that the full loco roster for SD's 2014 trips will be released in February.

 

Well it's not February

March 15th Braunton
March 29th Sir Nigel Gresley!
April 8 Oliver Cromwell
April 10 Sir Nigel Gresley to Kingswear!
April 13 Braunton
April 23 Brittania
May 1 Oliver Cromwell
May 22 Union Of South Africa
May 29 Bittern
June 1 Braunton
June 12 Oliver Cromwell
June 21 Oliver Cromwell(both Trains)
June 26 Braunton
July 10 Oliver Cromwell

 

10th April appeals, but it would be helpful if SD actually put how much of the trip is booked to be steam hauled. Phone call in the morning I think.

 

Based on the approximate times steam will be from Westbury.

If this is the case, the approx times look realistic ( based on previous trips for various sections) although I had an initial concern over Woking - Salisbury, until I remembered a Bath trip last December was Diesel hauled from Sailisbury via Portmouth Direct line on the return ( due to engineering works), which I could check against.

 

No John, not a bridge or platform edge, but a fanatical SR man sending the route co-ordinates to a USA mate with control over a cruise missile.





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From the SD website: "This trip will be diesel hauled between Woking & Westbury in both directions"

This trip was tempting until I saw the price: £115. No thanks. RTC are doing the same trip from Guildford with 70000 (from Westbury and back) for £89.