6233 Victoria To York 19/12/15

Sorry, got no control over the closing page that's a you tube controlled option, still at least I will get a whole 1 cent click through fee!

 

For anyone interested here are some pics I've processed from today's run. Weather conditions challenging to say the least, dark with bright backlighting, will probably look better as b/w conversions when I get round to doing it. Taken at, Oakley, Souldrop and Egleton near Oakham. Diesel only ticking over at Oakley and Egleton, not sure at Souldrop

 

The Duchess seen at Souldrop getting an almighty shove, then followed by a speedy pass at Harrowden Junction & finally Cossington. Have trimmed off the end of the first & penultimate scenes due to unwanted thrash.

 

That last shot - Power of the Duchessses!

 

My efforts of 'The Duchess' climbing up the 1 in 119 at Sharnbrook.

 

A couple of shots at Clapham Junction this morning at 06:50
It was quite dark!


Week 51 - Living (Steam) : LMS Princess Coronation Class : 46233 - Duchess of Sutherland by Tim White, on Flickr


LMS Princess Coronation Class : 46233 - Duchess of Sutherland by Tim White, on Flickr

 

Like the first shot with the exhaust catching the station lights.

 

Here we go Ralph. Cop an earful of Sulzer power.

 

There may be a good reason for the assistance at Souldrop, there was a pathing stop at Sharnbrook Junction where it switched the the Fast Line. There was a service train about 15 minutes behind so a quick getaway was essential. The diesel was definitely not working at the other two locations I visited, I didn't wait around to hear it at Souldrop wanting a quick getaway myself!

 

I was viewing a PSOV Mainline Steam 2003 Jan-June this morning and was struck by the absence of diesels giving rear end assistance. Of some 40 or so trains shown, only 2 had diesels on the back. Ian Riley sponsored some tours on consecutive days out of Manchester Victoria up Miles Platting bank with 45407 and pocket rocket. Due to dry weather conditions, rather than have a diesel in the consist, the load was reduced to just 4 coaches which was increased to 5 after overnight rain. This was done clearly so as to not overload the locos and start throwing sparks. How times have changed since 2003. How I wish we could turn back the clock and book a tour in the almost certainty that steam would prove master of the job without having the pull and diesel around all day with the inevitable need to shove because of load factors.

 

I think the assistance from the rear could be due to missing out the water stop at Brent Curve ? London to Kettering must be tight on the water front !

 

Was exactly the reason given to us for the shove 46115 got last year, water concerns.

 

06:50 on a Saturday morning at Clapham is quite unlike the the same time on a weekday.
Mind you, to catch that shot I had to be on the first London bound train of the morning via Richmond.

 

Rather late in the day, thanks to it clashing with my birthday and various other things! Not my first choice of spot, thanks to the grey and murky conditions, but there you go....


46233 Harpenden 19-12-15 (V26237) by Tim Easter, on Flickr

Cheers,
Tim

 

Some photos from yesterday. Chased the Duchess around the midlands before taking a train up to York to see her arrive and then paid a visit to the NRM. Ended up seeing this tour twice more from the car without having time to get a photo - pulled up to the level crossing at Rearsby seconds before she passed, then again a few minutes later driving towards Sileby station.

Irchester, coasting towards Wellingborough


Glendon after departing Kettering, bridge was full of spectators.


York, leaving to be serviced at the NRM.