Cath Ex Southend to Salisbury 3rd December

If I had been booked on this train I would have stuck with it as, whilst I do have many gripes with the way the railtour business seems to be run these days, I don't think anyone involved with the tour could have foreseen the problems with the booked loco. For me, at least, a pair of Black 5s seems a very acceptable substitute.

The change of destination is a trickier question. Again I wouldn't personally object on this occasion and certainly arranging an alternative has to be preferable to outright cancellation, of which there have been far too many this year. Assuming what has been already posted about the change of mind regarding the availability of Eastleigh is correct that too seems to be not the fault of Steams Dreams.

Where I must again take issue with you is the tone of your posts, in my view they are unnecessarily aggressive. "Stan the Man" is entitled to his point of view & may well have booked with the original destination in mind. As that has changed then I don't think anything in terms & conditions could prevent him from legitimately cancelling his booking.

I am happy to accept that what you term as "bashing" Steam Dreams is not always justified, but then neither is your blanket & somewhat all-forgiving defence. Like you I too want to see Steams Dreams run popular, well-filled & profitable trains. It is only by doing this that they will continue in business and provide a service to us all in the future. However you seem to be rather missing the point when you talk about ignoring the "petty". Stan the Man was a customer and to ignore them is always a mistake.

A company makes a profit by the quality & reliability it delivers to customers, not by how water tight you perceive it's terms & conditions to be, or how often they are increasingly relied upon.

 

I assume you hold high hope that hell will freeze over one day as well....

 

You clearly relish uncertainty of the magical mystery tour, get what you are given approach.
Most people are a little more fussy in that when they choose to buy something it will be on the basis that it is pretty much provided as advertised or, if not, they can obtain redress.

 

Didn't BR run very popular mystery tours at one time? Maybe the mistake is advertising a destination!

 

Do you want to start a riot when it pulls up at Newport ?

 

Crossing the Solent will be interesting or have I got the wrong Newport?

 

Moving on, it's time to return to the main topic (Cath. Ex. Southend to Salisbury. 3rd December).

The weather for Salisbury looks good and so for punters and photographers alike, it should be a good day. <BJ>

 

TIMINGS UPDATED as of 3/11/2016. <BJ>
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54759/2016/12/03/advanced
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U10624/2016/12/03/advanced

 

SD website has different outwood route via Hanwell and timings.

 

The outbound timings have now been updated by Realtime Trains.
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54759/2016/12/03/advanced

47.760 has arrived at Southend with the ECS. <BJ>

 

There are still two train paths on the system. A mystery tour indeed. Or is there a choice of with or without the 47?

 

I guess that the answer is here: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54760/2016/12/03/advanced

It's a good job that the Southend stock didn't suffer the same fate as the 5Z33 Southall WCR to Kings Cross this morning.
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55159/2016/12/03/advanced
A problem has been reported regarding the stock. <BJ>

 

So looks like Steam Dreams are actually going to run a train without a DL stuck on the back. The timing of 41 minutes for the 35.9 miles from Basingstoke to Salisbury will take some doing with 60 mph limited locos. Maybe the Inspector will hang his cap over the speedometer as Arthur Jupp used to do in the real days of steam. I am tempted to try to hitch a ride from Basing but will probably go lineside at Hurstbourne (sun out ) or MP 63 bridge (sun in).

 

Seems people will be disappointed train now reported as cancelled from Kings Cross. http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55157/2016/12/03/advanced

 

this did happen on Thursday 46233 to Lincoln, no dl on the back.
mark

 

Filmed at Twyford:

 

Going well about 4 down at Andover

 

Doesn't get much more pedestrian than this