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

Tornado, Christmas 2011, at about 1:30

 

I wasn't objecting to it just didn't want to photograph it any more. The fare paying passengers are the ones who count, they had parted with good money for their trip I hadn't.

 

Oh come on, John. That's actually rather tasteful decoration and in no way spoils a good photo of steam working hard out of a London terminus 50 years after such things were supposed to have ended. My eye was caught by the high-shine paintwork and quartered buffers, signs of the pride taken by the support crews and their attention to detail. A credit to all concerned.

 

See my last post, I wasn't complaining, I took one shot but didn't want to do any more and my warning was for those photographers who don't like this sort of thing.

 

And I thought it was just the owner who likes the Bah Humbug thing.....

 

How about some New Year's resolutions for posters to this forum

1. Be amazed, stunned, thrilled, delighted and happy that, despite all the challenges there are still main line steam specials running
2. Be even more amazed etc. when the odd one of these gets close to what a few of us can still remember as the real thing pre mid 68
3. Do not complain if in order to be thrilled, delighted etc. there has to be a diesel included for all or part of the journey - most of the time no diesel=no train
4. See 1
5. See 2
6. Do not complain when some aspect of the new railway gets in the way of a steam special - try to understand the new railway's priorities
7. Do not complain when engines that are at least 55 years old since they were built/rebuilt and rolling stock nearly as old is not perfectly reliable
8. Appreciate the absolutely amazing job the volunteers do to prepare and run these trains and try to understand they don't always get it perfectly right
9. Accept that Clan Line is the nearest to perfection any of us are going to get (OK so that is just my humble opinion)
10. If you cannot post something at least a bit positive then don't post at all (or just read 1 again)

Best wishes for a 2016 that brings you everything you wish for (unless it's GWR of course - OK just kidding)

ThickMike

 

Meanwhile, some of us wait news/photos and video of the last main line mixed traction train, (that includes a steam loco), of 2015.

Not due off Vic for 45 minutes or so. Hope it all runs well today for all concerned.

 

Blowing a hooligan and chucking it down on the high stuff above Dover in East Kent, watching tiles moving on the roof with trepidation! not sure the footpath crossing downstream from the aptly named Coldblow crossing is going to tempt me today!

 

Went to Battersea Park to take advantage of the newly-available view there with the gas holders having been demolished, only to see it dive under on the far track - RTT had it taking the main/viaduct route as far as I could tell, so this was a disappointment. Odd, too, because there was little other traffic around to delay it, or for it to delay. Managed a few shots with 65x zoom as 45407 and train were pushed up Grosvenor Bank - blowing off and without a trace of exhaust, so presumably not even working). I suspect there will be a lot of this during today's 'steam' run!

 

They quite often go that way, best location for a guaranteed shot is the footbridge at Wansworth Road or if you want to risk it the top of the tall block of flats but having seen some of the residents it's not the place you'd want to be wandering around carrying expensive camera gear

 

Through the West Malling area a couple of minutes down it seemed. From YTT, (Yeti Train Times).

Put my feet up for ten minutes with my bedroom window open and heard it greet a train coming the other way.

Bit late making the report here as I had to rush round to all my neighbours and tell them it was a traction engine passing by. Wouldn't want them to think that whistle was normal for a steam railway locomotive in this part of the world! .

*Yes, yes, I know.

 

Sounds like day to keep your head down Chris!

 

I know, but I was passing via Battersea Park station anyway and wanted to try the new view, and I've done the Wandsworth Road bridge so many times before. I couldn't see any reason to route it 'down and up' as it was already a couple of minutes late and there was no other traffic around. Other trains used the route before and after, so points failure seems extremely unlikely.

 

Bearsted Bank.

 

I can't remember seeing that location when I investigated Bearstead Bank a few years back, have they cut some trees down? The one I've done is off the footbridge west of the station

 

And here it is. If you read and believe the WCR news thread, the last steam in the history of the world, and those who dislike festively decorated locos, better look away now.

And those who hate diesel, laugh at the humiliation of the square wheeled 47

Seal Crossing Kent,

 

The A20 road bridge is in the background, was stood on Weavering Street.

 

Thanks this was overgrown, I think so they must have taken a lot of trees out.

 

Thanks. Yes, and a new noise for the diesel gricers to absorb!

As for the WCR thread you mentioned I thought that had been banned? Oops, no, sorry, I'll do that correctly:-


Normal forum members post

As for the WCR thread you mentioned, I thought that had been banned?

 

Pretty much true to form. Ian manages to scramble his 5 at the last minute when all else has fallen by the wayside - and look at it - spotless, quartered buffers and with the extra mile done on the decorations for the travelling punters (most of whom will appreciate it). The less said about the mismatched duff Duff on the back the better. Roll on 2016 and lets hope for better things (from those with room to improve - so not Ian's 5's obviously!)