Borders Railway Steam Services - Autumn 2015

Probably only for the 'Royal Train' its back on the Belmond 11/9 Darn Sarf.

 

60007 is heading north as stand by is my understanding.

Sawdust.

 

Let's hope for top n tail A4s then, steam hst!

 

No. 7 is no longer heading north it seems.

 

A4 60009 & A1 60163 at killingworth with the 1048 Tyne Yard to Millerhill

 

Was up for the public opening on Sunday. Presumably the Borders line has been gauged for the A4?! There are a couple of tunnels and Gorebridge and Stow both have curved platforms. So if the effectively new Borders line can take big steam locos then what's the problem with GWML, particularly as the loading gauge is supposed to being enhanced?

Anyway, my third trip of the day behind a 6 car rake of 158s struggled up to Falahill, speed falling to 32 mph at one point and 43 at the summit. Interesting to see what No.9 can do, if given the chance.

Mileposts are on the East side and there is a board also on the East side marking Falahill Summit at 18m 04ch.

 

One for the track bashers amongst us no doubt!

Left 2 late according to RTT.

Strange that a train that has an obvious very gentle meander is timed at 75 mph.

Interested to see yesterday that it didn't look like there was a run round facility at Tweedbank? I suppose no reason to have one for normal operations?

 

Good one.

But some new station names and really new track now Al!

 

All 6 weeks of trips now sold out again with the extra coach! 60009 does the honours again on the first public train today at Bowshank Tunnel:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/insearchofsteam/20677688923/in/dateposted-public/

 

A superb photo. I think that there will be lots of Master Shot material coming up over the next few weeks. That scenery , with that railway running through it, oh so heavenly!!

Cheers

Alan

 

I was on the train today being continually harrased for taking photos out of the droplight. Apparently enforced by scotrail, SRPS staff agreed that it was ridiculous but it was out of their hands. They might as well go back to the late 70's and stick bars on. Disappointing.

 

Sadly, so far, no contributions from any of our videographers ? looking forward especially to any 'fallahill' shots.

 

Rostered loco for Sunday 13th Sept 'Tornado'

 

There had been talk of Cumbrian Coast-style restrictions on window hanging due to tight clearances, so this may be unavoidable I'm afraid.

 

The best I've come across is from Waverley Wanderer

 

Many thanks for that, that rasping kylchap luckily drowns out most of the row from the '67' , nice piece from the producer, hope there are many more like these to come ?
Thanks
Andy

 

Fala

"Nae bother".

Fala by newshot., on Flickr

 

On what I am led to believe is the only date rostered for A1 No. 60163 'Tornado', here she is at Fushiebridge on the climb towards Tynehead and Falahill this morning. Attractively, this part of the line is the Northern 'Dynamic Loop', allowing for an attractive shot!

Peppercorn A1 No. 60163 'Tornado' - Fushiebridge by Jonathon Gourlay Photography, on Flickr

 

Pictures of the mid week events here:

http://www.blackhatrailwaypictures.co.uk/f553066263

I did notice the charter slowing for certain bridges on the line quite significantly. Most of the time I was tracking it the train seemed to be making about 40 mph. Having been on the line on a 158, the gradient out of Gorebridge will certainly test crews, even if the banker on the back is required to push. In future a loaded tour over here will certainly make things interesting.

While the suspension of services by Scotrail was to allow one of their own charters to pass through, getting other trains in the short term might prove problematic. However, there was talk of the service frequency mid-day being looked at again as its more than frequent enough given especially when compared to other lines. This might allow paths to open up, but Tweedbank with its two platforms eventually might prove more problematic. It will be an interesting case of wait and see, otherwise your looking at an early start and run on the line.

I did also note the infrastructure was very impressive. Hopefully, this can be the case for further re-reinstatement in the future.