The Fife Circle - Tweedbank 9th October 2016

Times have popped up on RTT for this. A bit later in the day than the provisional ones that Uk Steam has been showing:

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U53833/2016/10/09/advanced
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U53834/2016/10/09/advanced
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U53835/2016/10/09/advanced
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U53836/2016/10/09/advanced

Thought there might have been a bit more discussion on this one by now with it being the first steam both ways run over the Borders Line.

45407 coming from Fort Bill the day before?

 

I'll be out as usual, No. 45407 is down as allocated loco. Preferred the earlier timings, and I suspect many on the railtour might have too including some family members I have booked on it.

Interesting to note that on the return from Tweedbank to Dalgety Bay, the train goes round the sub and diverts back in to Edinburgh before heading out to Fife, rather than a path straight through Portobello Jnc in to Waverley and out via the Gardens.

 

Sadly it was one of those days where you either got it or you didn't. Only one, very brief, moment of sun on the borders at Stow for the steam hauled Northbound run. Various bits of sun throughout the rest of the day, but appeared to dodge me!

As usual, No. 45407 sounded in fine form. A little bit of aid for the Class 37 here and there, waiting to hear from those I know on board exactly how much shoving was involved. As discussed elsewhere, a tailgunner is sadly a requirement for any runs to and from the Waverley route.

Anyway, here's the shot just North of Stow at Galabank Junction :

Black 5 No. 45407 - Galabank Junction, Stow by Jonathon Gourlay Photography, on Flickr

 

We were very lucky to get that sunlight at Stow Jonathan. Here's a closer in shot at the same location.


https://www.flickr.com/photos/iancawthorne/30186605476/

 

Lovely shot Ian, shows off the Borders countryside very well.

Steven

 

Just a touch up the road from Jonny and Ian, here is my effort from the Borders line today

https://www.flickr.com/photos/23006205@N07/30222077035/in/dateposted-public/

Steven

 

How much would a black 5 be limited to on that route if there were run round facilites ?, 10 seems on the heavy side to me, so would prob attract a diesel anyway.

 

Depends on what situation you put it in. With a run round loop, you'd still be subject to a 45mph tender first restriction in one direction so to fit in with traffic you'd still resort to a diesel tailgunner.

In an ideal world, where we have a turntable and run round loop at Tweedbank, the main consideration would be the ruling gradient from the North to Falahill. While a Black 5 could slog up with load 10, I'd say to be comfortable and fit in with the timetable, you'd limit the run to between 7-8 vehicles. Maybe not too cost effective for a single run, but a repeat path for Sundays as per the ScotRail operation would be suitable.