Charing Cross?

We have in recent years seen steam out of almost all London Termini, including London Bridge and Cannon Street. The exception is Charing Cross, and I was wondering why this should be. I would guess that it has something to do with Hungerford Bridge, but perhaps someone could confirm this.

 

When was the last steam from Cannon Street or Fenchurch Street ?

 

Didn't 76079 & 45407 work out of Fenchurch St on LTS specials a few years back ? the Mogul was ex works at the time.

 

Ah ha.. 1999 and 2001...time flies though That's 11 years ago !

 

Maybe it is more to do with capacity? There are only 6 platforms (AFAIK) and the section of line to London Bridge always seems pretty crowded - there is a very heavy commuter traffic. So maybe it's just not feasible to have a platform blocked for a considerable period with an excursion train; there is a need to get trains in and out rapidly to keep the platforms clear.

Tom

 

Past Time ran a tour 'The Man of Kent' with 34067 on 4 November 2006 which started at Cannon Street and returned to London Bridge

 

I think Hungerford Bridge has a weight restriction on it. Having said that, I have seen loco hauled track recording trains in there between the peaks.

Regards,

Dan

 

When they were operating Days Out advertised a train from Charing Cross, but it never happened - can't remember the reason.

 

I remember leaving for Hastings in the '50s from this station by Southern steam...those were the days.

Unfortunately over the years this station has had a lot of re-development and resembles being down a pit with all the platforms covered over (like many at London's Victoria station)more so Charing +.

You might find this the case,too much traffic on this line and no time for steam trains to hang around.

But the thought is appetising to say the least in such an important year as this for London.

 

It may also be due to any fire/smoke alarms fitted....????
I am aware that steam and diesel locos are prohibited from using Victoria Central (platforms 9-19) due to the fire/smoke alarms have been fitted. Since the construction in the 1980s of the shopping centre over the platforms those platforms are classified as underground.
Within the old station roof at Charing Cross offices/ shops have been built classifiy that as "enclosed".

 

...but things like that can change - at one time, steam wasn't allowed into Euston for similar reasons, but now it's fairly common. Similarly, is it only a matter of time that steam is allowed THROUGH Birmingham New Street? Vintage Trains have run some tours which started from New Street with steam and have dragged steam locos thriough the station behind diesels. Never say never!

 

I seem to recall that back in the late '70s early '80s the weight restriction was such that even a cl73 EDL could only run over Hungerford Br under possession with no other train permitted to even be in the siding on the bridge. The development over the platfoms has redued headroom such since that there would be serious ventilation problems for a steam loco.

 

Interesting thread. I suspect that the key issue is track congestion, although the weight restriction is an interesting point. I take it that there have been no repairs to the bridge since the 1970s to alleviate this problem? The runs from Fenchurch Street, Cannon Street, Marylebone, St. Pancras and London Bridge were either before my time on the mainline or I couldn't afford the trip when they did run. I would like the opportunity to tick these off one day. When was the last time steam used Blackfriars?

 

I think the short platforms at Charing Cross/ the "Old" Blackfriars would be a problem for many charters. If the steam locos were on the country end then they would be over the river and maybe not a problem for fire alarms, of course returning to them would not be possible

 

From memory, Metropolitan Jn to Charing Cross is RA 4 so class 73 EDL's need special authority to work test trains to and from CX. It's not just Hungerford Bridge, Alaska Street opposite Waterloo station is also restricted.

In the final years of the Hastings DEMU's they were restricted to two platforms which had the most effective ventlation.

Cheers, Neil

 

Correct, EDL's, 31's, 37's on test trains have to have dispensation to run London Bridge to CX

 

Mainline the Q1, the loco weighs 51t 5c, the tender 40 tons.

 

I think another problem with Blackfriars is Snow Hill Tunnel leading from Farringdon, my understading it steam and diesel (under normal circumstances) are not allowed and droplight stock is a bit of a no no too.

As for Charing Cross, how about suggesting it as part of a Pannier tour round London ?, they are probably light enough and with inside cylinders woulden't have gauging trouble, may be some other reason preventing it, but may be worth a look by someone.

 

There was a diesel railtour which did this a few years ago with 37s...

Ive suggested several times to have a pannier tour on pannier routes, which include freight lines and lines with semaphores,.. Sadly it fell on deaf ears.. That or the costs of bringing two panniers to London for a railtour are too uneconomic.

2013 it may happen, after all there's steam underground between Edgeware road and farringdon being planned !