46233 King's X - York 14/08/16

Through Hornsey a minute early, load 11 (I think) plus dead 47 on the rear. Checked just before Ally Pally station, and sounded nice at the start of the climb to Potters Bar.

 

So I wonder what the operational reason is for the Class 47 today.

 

Looked good passing Lindsells in Biggleswade earlier, I believe John Daniel is again at the controls up until Peterborough.

 

Brookmans Park.
Not a sound from the thing on the back:

 

Going well on the approach to Claypole north of Newark.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/10257146@N05/28689115630/in/dateposted/

 

Because it's Steam Dreams!.

Seriously think vacuum braking?

 

And you could also think: what time does it arrive at York, and what time does it depart. Does this have enough time to shunt the stock to Holgate, then go to the NRM to service, over to the turntable to turn, and then go to Holgate to fetch the stock out, and still depart on time. If you came to the same conclusion as me you may think 'send a Diesel to shunt the stock', and we may just have time to service, turn and depart on time. As Don says, it also includes a serious contingency plan for vacuum brakes, where a failure without any recovery plan could spell the end of steam on the ECML. I will leave you to decide whether the decision to use a Diesel was driven by a serious consideration of the operational facts, or just to pxxs off the inhabitants of NP?

 

Sorry, assumed air braked stock would have been made available for this one as it was only a 10 coach set.

 

Duchess of Sutherland approaching Newark

 

Obviously to upset the photters, can't think of an operational reason ;-)

 

If it had been given decent timings then it would have had time

 

Please define 'Decent' for me. If it left much earlier, nobody could get there for it. If it gets back much later people cant get home. I can assure you that hotel prices in the St P/KX areas since the opening of StP Int would make it a VERY dear day out if a stop over was needed. Then the 'enthusiasts' would be moaning that THEY had been priced out of the market. Unfortunately the business is what it is, either be grateful for what you've got, or take up fishing!

 

Over 5 hours to York and 6 coming back for a class 8 pacific on a light load? Do the non enthusiasts really enjoy that? 4 hours max each way, leaving at the same time and getting back at a civilised time with enough time to have lunch and enjoy York. That's what I mean

 

I think you would need the Starship Enterprise to do KX York in 4 hours. Yesterday I was on 5043. We took 156 minutes to do 121 miles from Droitwich to Hereford. I would defy anybody to do it quicker. We were 4" late from Droitwich, and about the same at Hereford. All very hard running. For a Steam Loco to maintain an average of 60 mph is very difficult, and was exceptional in steam days. (Cheltenham Flyer, Bristolian, Coronation etc. all limited loads)
So: KX - York 188 miles, say 190 mins. Two water stops 1 of 15", the other slightly longer. I suspect water and then pathing. there were 14" worth of station stops (promoters request) As we all know, a 2" station stop actually equates to more then double that in scheduled time (Braking and accelerating.)
So 190" (running) 30" Station stops, 51" water. That comes to 271". Or 4'51". The 60mph average doesn't take into account departure from KX or the run in to York, or any gauging restrictions en route. The only way to improve the timings would be to knock out stops, but then people cant get on or off. I admit that the second water stop could have been reduced by 21", but that would probably need Mr Virgin EC to cancel or amend a train or two. (They're not keen on that for some reason).
As said before. Be grateful for what you have got, and don't chase utopian dreams.

 

Tornado could do it .
If memory serves we were very close on one occasion when given the option to get out of Grantham DGL to York in a rush or wait a couple of hours because of service train issues. We appeared to be the only train on time and the TI (bless him!) took option one.

 

Now now Adrian. As a senior West Coast man, there is no need to have a pop at the NP posters. They are made up of a wide range of types from the fun loving (me) to the ultra serious who cannot accept the odd pop at why the smelly is on the back (not me). As they say up north, NOWT AS QUEER AS FOLK - especially on NP, it seems. But ultimately, there is room for all of us. Queer or otherwise.

 

Still operational reasons are bound to upset a few, Doesn't bother me if there's a diesel on the back for that or any other reason,

 

Left York 41 late and now 21 late at the Connington water stop.

 

Climbing Gamston Bank in some fine evening light

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