London Explorer, 46233 14 November 2015

On RTT:
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50722/2015/11/14/advanced
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50719/2015/11/14/advanced

 

Are we sure 46233 will fit?? Getting fed up with never ending gauging issues!

 

It certainly fitted last year and was a fantastic day out - the run back down the WCML in the dark was unforgettable!

 

Yes it fits on the WCML, because they have to ensure there is room for those tilting things, and we know it fits on the ECML because its straight. Anywhere else? WTF knows, because NR dont.

 

some years back it ran the Surrey Hills circular on a VSOE charter,very hard to see anything like that happening now!

 

Timings are very slack on the outward. I feel a chase is on the cards !

 

Looking forward to this trip to London. 350+ miles behind a Duchess, timings on the return journey look good, almost non stop bar the water stop at rugby.

 

UKsteam says "Diesel at rear" both ways. I'm wondering why. Are they worrying about leaf fall? There shouldn't be too many leaves on Camden Bank, and once past that there isn't anything very steep, is there?

 

Shunt release at Euston perhaps?

 

I think that is the case as I am booked on the trip and the accompanying letter that came with my tickets says the train is made up of nine coaches.

 

Probably makes sense to have a diesel on the back on what it basically the busiest railway line in Europe, especially after everything else that's happened this year

 

A Duchess on 10 coaches should not need any assistance irrespective of leaf fall, inclines etc. They regularly pulled 15 coaches over the 1 in 100 of Shap in the days of steam. The irony is that if the diesel is attached for shunting moves, I bet you all the tea in China that it will be shoving a fair old bit as it stops the diesel driver getting bored and gives him something to pass the time.

Another reason why I don't do mainline steam these days as much as in the past. The guarantee of steam only is what steam buffs love, and the only safe bet is when double headers are booked such as the trip around the Kent coast last year from Victoria with a couple of Black 'Uns. That was great and the diesel at the back was dropped at Grosvenor Bridge and we never saw it again. Wonderful.

 

In the 1960s crawling over the top of Shap at 40mph was fine because the likelihood was that was the fastest thing around. When you've got a Pendolino up your jacksie capable of 120mph it's a major issue. Which is why "it did it in the 1950s and it was fine" doesn't really work as an excuse in 2015.

 

If the tour loses a decent portion of time off it's schedule, it's odds on, the diesel will be pushing after departing there pick up points or operational stops.

 

A fine example of your post, was Tornado on the Belmond, last Friday, hauling 12 pullmans & a dead diesel over the Surrey Hills in the pouring rain & the diesel was just ticking over. If WCR was in charge of last week's Belmond, they would of had two 47's on the back, giving it a right go !

 

Once went over the top of Shap northbound at 50 mph behind 46229. Wonderful! By the way, Shap is 1 in 75, not 1 in 100.

 

Don't forget the stop at Tebay for a banker up Shap. Also could I refer you to my comment regarding rear assistance, in Weymouth Seaside Express 20/07/2015 ,posted on 27.07.2015.(Sorry only a one finger slow typist ,too long to rewrite )