Cath Ex - Surrey Hills Circulars - 25/05/16

Booked 7 minutes at Hounslow (should be enough daylight for some photos) and 15 minutes at Shalford (flash photography only).

 

Well, with 15 mins to go Worplesdon is pretty quiet. About 15 people here 3 customer service assistants. It's all been pretty low key round here, little in the local media

 

No flash photography allowed on the railway please

 

Oh dear..... Water tanker is running late for the Shalford water stop

 

You can't rely on road transport. Now 21L at Chilworth. Cloudy but at least cool - should allow some visible exhaust.

Re. flash photography - I agree, but for a stationary train with no other train about it might not be a dire crime. Both provisos not optional, of course.

 

Slowed down aporoaching Worplesdon, clearly an issue with gauging. Opened up half way along platform

 

Kensington Olympia this morning no huge crowds for the staff to control and note the person in the greenhouse oblivious to the passing celebrity.

 

Cool weather helped with exhaust on the climb to Betchworth but the A3 had obviously been helped significantly by the 47.

https://flic.kr/p/GzFj6s

 

Opened up nicely after passing through Chertsey Station.

I thought the footbridge would be heaving but only about 10 people were there, and no-one to control us

 

Tanker never did turn up at Shalford,apparently broke down on M25. Hoses on train were used to link with hydrant in road outside,which all took time and it left around 20 late with 47 pushing mightily(fair dos,delayed service train right behind). More people than I have ever seen at Shalford,maybe around 200/250 . 4 BTP and extensive NR presence,all very calm and friendly,nobody seemed to be doing anything remotely silly.

 

Approached Worplesdon Station as though Network rail had warned that Boudicca's spikes had been installed along the platform edge, which is strange considering a MN and an A1 rush through there at 60mph+!!!!!

Anyway it opened up nicely halfway through for a good departing soundtrack, the '47 doing next to not much to help.

Then I catch it again up the hill into Reigate, for another nice sound track (service train permitting), where very large crowds were waiting to see it.

 

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Today and 12 years ago at Gomshall. Includes whistle and chime

 

interesting comparison

 

Sounded fine to me, unlike the current one (imho)

 

Just looking at mrKnowwun's excellent video, it does look tight on the short straight bit of the platform at Worplesdon, maybe that's the bit that causes the concern?

 

60103 races past Hackhurst Farm a bit earlier...



James

 

This is the real whistle test

The Spanish City mentioned has only been partly demolished the Dome area is going a massive makeover. Unfortunately the Sands Club is gone but will never be forgotten

 

It was even more cautious through west byfleet according to local rumour.

Edit, and tippy toe through Ashford as well. Is it wider than an A1 and a MN?

 

I've just seen large plume of steam at Stewarts Lame when I went past on WAT to WNR few mins ago.