Merry Christmas Last ML steam of the Year - CathEx 22nd Dec.

And so we come to the last steam of the year. Traditionally at this time of the year, having knackered everything else over the previous 12 months, it involves a Riley 5. (pity its not the twins)

Times on RTT

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54264/2015/12/22/advanced
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54265/2015/12/22/advanced

Even tho its the shortest day of the year, the Winter Solstice Special if you like, lot of daylight running.

 

Actually, with hindsight, one wonders why they didn't run a "Winter Solstice Special" to Salisbury. The 19th December one was three days early.

 

Salisbury Christmas Market finishes today, so presumably a tour run on 22nd December would have lost one of the main draws for non-enthusiast passengers.

Tom

 

You finish a christmas market three shopping days before christmas? Lord Sugar would fire someone.

 

Don't fire the messenger! Bath finished last weekend...

Tom

 

....If you can call the dull grey skies we're currently suffering 'daylight'

 

Yes the forecast for Tuesday is on the bad side of wet.

 

I'm not Donald Trump.

 

Should have gone to York instead.....

 

After six out of seven steam tours not taking place past me and the other one whilst I was on holiday, I'm looking forward to seeing steam climbing up towards Martin Mill.

Guess a black five is going to need quite a lot of shove unfortunately, but at least it's working steam.

 

Looks like there's no water stop on the return run, seems we will have a diesel shove-fest. But as Chris_Sav says, it's working steam and there's been a shortage of it in the South East in the last few months, so I'll be pleased to see it.

 

Hmmm . . . The outward run passes within a mile of me.

But I know what a diesel locomotive looks and sounds like . . .



If it wasn't for my Owl work I could have a Yeti open house for passing gricers. Cuppa and a mince pie.

 

LOL!

 

Yes - so us locals can get back into town! 400,000 visitors they expected over the 16 days and if you had to get into the city centre on one of the weekends it was hell. Went back in yesterday with a rugby game on, and it was like "Where is everyone". To be fair by the time you get this close people aren't so bothered about trips for shopping they are getting down to the essentials.

 

Photographers beware the equivelent Kent Coast working last year with two Black 5s had tinsel all over the handrails and smokebox as seen here at Wandsworth Road, I didn't bother to chase it any further.

 

Black fives were on BOGOF last year!

 

That was a black 10, an articulated 4-6-0-4-6-0

 

Because obviously ornately-decorated locos running an annual excursion were completely unknown in Southern England in pre-preservation days...



Come on Steam Dreams, pull the stops out for the last trip of the year

Tom

 

Set of battery powered LED lights mixed in with the tinsel would certainly make a lasting impression......