The Robin Hood - Sunday 9 November 2014

Three of us have just booked this so fingers crossed we actually get a St. Pancras departure.

 

Letter from RTC: timings changed, now St Pancras d 09.40, KX a 22:40. This does imply that (a) the trip is still on, and (b) NR has found a path for it.

 

I'm thinking of booking me and my dad onto this train for his Birthday as he's a Nottingham boy and waxes lyrically about Royal Scots on the MML. I've got some slight concerns with the steam ban in the NE area, RTC's reputation of customer service and not refunding if anything happens, and the fact this tour is effectively breaking new ground. I don't want to book us on it and make a song and dance about it only for it to be cancelled/run diesel/run with Tangmere at the last minute.

I appreciate that a lot of things are in the hands of the gods, but I don't follow mainline steam to closely and was wondering from those who do, what their thoughts are on the chances of this tour running as advertised?

If the chances are between sod and bugger all, I'll save 50 quid and book on the Panniers around the West Midlands the day before!

 

The chances of Tangmere being on the Robin Hood are extremely slim.

 

The main risk is cancellation due to WCR and NR dispute. Approx times have changed since it was first advertised so implies a platform has been found at SP.

 

In my experience, RTC will refund if the tour is cancelled for whatever reason and you receive a letter from them noting a series of options- its always best to phone because at least you know it is done there and then. However, they won't refund easily if you want to cancel the tour just because its not running the way it was originally advertised. There is a debate surrounding this with valid points on both sides, but on balance, it is up to the individual and what they are willing to put up with. Its always worth remembering that it seems that steam is increasingly living on borrowed time on the national network. Speaking for myself, I won't now be booking this tour due to some friends coming up to visit on that weekend.

 

Thanks for the feedback guys. It was certainly appreciated.

When I put the options to him, he chose the Panniers and a day around Nottingham spotting the Scot on the Sunday!

 

I see all Midland M L southbound trains are being diverted via Corby until the early afternoon on the 9TH Nov'. There is just a gap about the time when The Robin Hood is due ,details are a 11.25 arrives at Kettering (ex Nottingham ) and a Sheffield train is due to pass Corby at 11.41 . Kettering to Corby with a Scot should be OK in 15 mins, or a bit less. There doesn't seem to be any other gaps in the timetable to slide a special in on the single line. Corby to Kettering service and vv is by bus. Even so with a 09.40 departure from St Pancras there is to be no hanging about to depart Kettering by 11.25 after taking water.

 

Although it seems to be usual for charters to run via Corby, is there any reason why this particular one can't stay on the main line through Leicester?

 

Lack of line capacity through Market Harborough has been cited.

 

No reason since the steam ban due to a tight bridge near Kibworth was lifted in April ,the last steam this way was Standard tank 80098 in Sept 2000.However most tour operators like to go over Welland Viaduct , Harringworth ,and last time a special was operated to Lincoln this way the tank was topped up at Melton Mowbray .This is again in the tour brochure.
I wish it would go via Leicester ,6 miles of about 1 in 125 from Kettering to Desboro 'with a Scot would be well worth waiting for. There is only two trains per hour on a Sunday morning northbound over the Leicester line so capacity should not be a problem.
However at this moment of time there is a TSR (30mph I think ) from Kettering station to North Jnc on the slow line ,and of course if going via Mkt Harboro' ,30 from slow to main at North Jnc.

 

Rethink, I see on realtime all diverted trains via Manton/Corby call at platform 1 at Kettering. ,except one at 12.51( ex Leeds) that's down for plat 2.Water is always taken from a tanker next to plat one, in fact with out laying hoses over tracks its the only choice. So the Scot could be occupying plat 1 at this time.
Wow ,If its 09.40, as provisional times suggest from St Pancras ,two and half hours or so to Kettering that makes it a average of 25-30 mph.I hope my first suggestion is the right one. Any one for Victoria ?

 

any timings for this tour yet?

 

Nothing sighted on RTT yet... I suspect they would come up this weekend.

 

Anybody know what the gradient is to Sharnbrook Summit ?

 

I bloody hope not. Steam has climbed Sharnbrook unaided on previous trips.

 

Wind up merchant !!

 

Anyone getting the Scot on sharnbrook bank? Found a nice little place outside of Souldrop to film her pounding the bank.