Cathedrals Express, 61306, 21 November 2015

It's more loco's with 4000 - 5000 gallons or less on board I'm thinking about, a water carrier woulden't be much help to a class 5 such as 61306 as that's a serious portion of it's total train weight, basically somewhere workable for a water stop between Euston and Rugby needs to be found.

 

In 1965 35022 went from Waterloo to Yeovil Jct, 123 miles, twice without taking water. Spot King even managed a 90 mph max. Mind you not pushed on the hills and an ace fireman, Dave Dropgrate Wilson

 

The special from the SVR to the Bluebell on 2-11-2013 with 70013 filled up at Bushey.
Another possibility might be somewhere near Brent New Junction, where must be road access to the biscuit factory. Unlike the main line, the underpass from the yards on the north side of the line isn't all that busy, so a stop for 20 minutes or so should be possible.

 

Are you honestly telling me that there are no stations other than Rugby between Euston and Chester where a train can stop and be filled up (in 10 minutes or so) from a road side tanker? If not, then what is the issue? I know it is on the southern, but water has been taken over the years at many stations enroute such as Brookwood, Fleet and Winchfield to name but three and that is on a very busy mainline, albeit on the slow. Odd. Very odd and such a pity because I presume that it is the watering situation that has necessitated the diesel?

 

I am visiting Steam Dreams today on business and so I will get it from the horse's mouth!

 

No ! It would be risky letting it loose up Camden Bank, given the engine is cold and I'd expect it would be 10 coaches minimum tomorrow.

 

I think most steam out of Euston now has a diesel at the back, the financial implications of a loco sitting down on the very busy southern end of the WCML is probably seem as to risky

 

Maybe look at it from another point of view. In todays MODERN railway environment why would there need to be the provision for anything other than a tap water supply at many stations.

Throw in the speed of trains on this particular route, the mass palisade fencing in of the WCML & its not that unbelievable

 

Fortunately, Bells & Two-Tones and their ex-fire brigade road tankers mean that water can be provided at a good enough speed, provided the tanker can get close enough to the track to run a hose to the loco tender. More of a problem is finding somewhere away from the overhead wires for those locos not fitted with a platform-level hose connector. Understandably, loco and support crew are not allowed onto the top of the tender under 25kV wires.

 

That does not seem to be a problem in this case if there is a water point at Lichfield TV as that is under wires.

 

I think low level fillers for under the wires are pretty common now so shoulden't present too much issue, I think even Tyseleys Panniers have them as I've seen them with a hose hooked on the underside of the tank, with the wires spreading, it may not be a bad idea to make it a requirement for NR certification.

I suspect the problem is finding somewhere that has a combination of:

1) Ability to stop for 15 mins without getting in the way
2) Within range of somewhere a tanker can be parked easily
3) Within range of a suitable hydrant that works properly (plenty do not)

 

I don't know how many steam starts out of Euston in recent years have been without a diesel on the back, but there have certainly been some, such as with Tangmere (not noted for its reliability on banks) on 9-3-2013.

 

Through Berkhamsted on time steam going well diesel pushing hard. Weather awful!!

 

Just about to set out in Staffordshire - weather beautiful, except the sun in in the wrong direction for WCML

 

Weather awful, SNOW! at Apsley, (defeated my autofocus) and a notch or two of shovage, but good to see steam down south!

 

Just north of Lichfield going well and on time. Coming straight out of the sun whichever side of the line. Not a lot of help from the back.

 

61306 at Wardle and Waverton

 

Shutting off just before I hit the shutter at Rugeley : http://daviddepperphotography.zenfolio.com/p383784518#h6f38b593

 

I thought about going to that spot at Rugeley but it is usually 'popular' and difficult to get a spot with a view without people.