RTC 2023

Looks like a long stint after the last water stop on the way back assuming that the long stop at Morpeth is the last one since there seems no others for more than a few minutes after it.

 

Indeed it is Steven and 46115 is on its way to York shortly.

 

44871 on this mornings Bath & Bristol express from Three Bridges (nice to have that route back again after many years!) captured at Hassocks and Shoreham:

 

Minus 1°, no wind and nice light for Scots Guardsman making its way through a winter wonderland on the York-Edinburgh Christmas Market special this morning.

A repeat of last year's conditions for the same run, with added snow.

 

Just had a message from my son. Somebody posted a picture on a local Facebook news page of 46115 in the loop at Wooden crossing, with exhaust rising in a column from the chimney, just a few minutes before it passed me. The caption (quote) 'Stopped train smoking on the track near Alnmouth Station. Looks serious.' He wasn't joking!

Sometimes you just feel the need for a library to retire to, a final glass of nice whisky and a pistol.

 

44871 in the fog at West Dean.

 

looked and sounded nice climbing away from the River Hamble bridge at Burseldon. Couldn’t hear much from the DL. Locals turned out in force despite -2C and mist . Needed 1600 iso on my Canon EOS. Also nice video clip. My first steam outing since the Bluebell Gala

 

It were brisk up on the bridge at Copyhold this morning for 44871

 

Pic from me of 46115 between Ayton and Reston today (not far enough east for the sun).

 

My two from today at either side of the border, first at the Royal Border Bridge itself and then up to Marshall Meadows.


Royal Scot No. 46115 'Scots Guardsman' - Royal Border Bridge by Jonathon Gourlay, on Flickr


Royal Scot No. 46115 'Scots Guardsman' - Marshall Meadows by Jonathon Gourlay, on Flickr

 

Who's a lucky boy?!

Tonight I left the house with plenty time to get to the station to set my gear up for the return run and I was expecting a cold wait of about an hour before SG was due. Checked RTT as we left the house, and it was on time at Reston, north of Berwick. No further reports.

Got to Alnmouth, only 10 minutes from home and put my vid camera on the tripod and set it up ready, passed my stills camera to my wife while I got the mic etc, out of my bag. Heard a train approaching from the north in the darkness and even though the mic wasn't attached I set the camera rolling to get an exposure test shot of what I expected to be a service train. It's a good job that I did!

Instead of the expected express, Scots Guardsman was hurtling towards me, 49 minutes early, having missed out the 40 minute loop at Tweedmouth because the train it was waiting for was cancelled because of the strike. I just hope it's enough in focus to make it useful. I hadn't even had time to set the focus.

No stills though. My missus still had that camera, waiting for me to take it back.

 

Absolute stunners!

 

I was just up the line from you at Dunbridge. Looked great coming out of the fog and hammering through the station. Great to see steam at speed!

 

Sir, take a bow. Wow! What cracking photos

 

Scots Guardsman heading through Northumberland yesterday, with a cameo of Sir Nigel bolted onto the front.

 

Always a joy to see your work, but you might want to correct the video title (Stainer!).

 

Woops! Have corrected, thanks. My hands were obviously still recovering from the freezing temperatures that morning.

 

Sometimes so many factors come together! Gorgeous work.

 

Easily done - I seem to always type 'platfrom' and have to check it!

 

Many apologies for not having noticed you following our meeting at Alnmouth when D9000 called there a few months back, even worse my bulk standing beside the containers is intruding on your opening shot of Sir Nigel passing through!