Christmas Sussex Belle, 6 December.

Les has announced that an obstruction on the line caused the fault. Been repaired, expected here by 1130

 

According to RTT, departed Victoria 1142, i.e. 59 mins late. Will probably run c. 1 hour late for the rest of the day, since that should be fairly easy to slot in amongst everything else.

 

Looks like a good run down the Brighton main line, now just 23 late approaching Coulsdon South.

Good run or a terrible path? Probably a little from column A and a little from column B.

EDIT: Looking at the path on RTT, there is lots of slack in the schedule and lots of waiting around at junctions.

James

 

Path must have been woeful as they made up over 30 mins in about 15 miles of running!

 

22L by Redhill - paths are always dire anyway. I tried to beat it from Victoria to CJ, but it powered past us on the down fast! Interesting train-to-train shots obtained. Can't upload here as the system won't allow me to (again!). Booked on the slow line, so has been allowed to make up time that way, and it had an almost uninterrupted traverse of the Battersea network, which is rare.

I wonder how tightly the 60mph limit is being watched!

 

They seem to be making a habit of clouting things lately after 44871 collected dinner on the way to Cardiff the other week.

 

Made up about 40 minutes by the time it passed me at a footpath crossing between Berwick and Polegate. Looked impressive, as always and the weather wasn't too bad - rather hazy sun - but better than the general murk both beforehand and subsequently. Sorry I can't load my picture up but I'm one of these old-fashioned types that still uses a film camera.

Pity it didn't run a week earlier - clear blue sky all day. Still, one has to say, particularly from the point of view of those on the train, at least it ran at all, which is a good thing in view of the recent problems with some other steam specials recently.

 

I must admit, when the ECS was over 80L, I did wonder if it would be able to run at all. Seems like a great effort by all concerned to recover so well.

 

In fact, following a slightly shorterned layover at Eastbourne, it's now running pretty well on time on the return to London according to RTT. I had planned to go out and see it at Stonegate, which is a bit nearer to my home than the East Coast line as I was expecting gloom and murk all day, but when it brightened up, I changed my plans (see post above) but I do have to earn my keep and can't have too many breaks from work.

Still, even on a very dull December afternoon, I'm sure those on board are enjoying the rare experience of steam on the Hastings- Tonbridge route. Some challenging gradients and Wealden scenery at its very best.

 

It was a particularly surreal experience to be overtaken very noisily between Pouparts and Clapham Junctions today by the two Black Fives, as our 455 trundled along!

 

at redhill

 

It was a thoroughly enjoying run. Plenty of chatter from the blackuns up front, but I think a few platform restrictions. Also useful for me as I'm trying to cover as many routes on Southeastern as I settle into my new role with them. Just Maidstone east, Bexleyheath and Greenwich left.

 

I seem to remember that this was all around the 150th Anniversary of Ashford Works and at the end of the weekend Clan Line also took a special to London and Network South East laid on a special electric service back to Ashford for those who had travelled who needed to return to there.

 

While the Black Twins were thrashing the rails out of London, I managed to pick a spot where they had calmed down a little.

Plumpton on the down, Frant on the up.



great effort by all concerned to recover this trip from the doo doo.

 

Certainly one time where what would normally be a crap schedule proved invaluable. Enjoyed the run around some fairly rare bits of the network- if only steam could go round the other way to take in Bexhill. Regardless, a good itinerary and worth the two year wait.

 

The Sussex Belle became, after a dodgy start to the day, a thoroughly enjoyable trip. Many thanks to all those concerned (at WCRC and RTC) who overcome the initial problems that caused late arrival of the stock at Victoria. It's worth noting the approximate timings of this recovery. A 1 hr 20 mins late arrival of the ECS was converted into a 1 hr late departure, which then, after a smooth run, became an only 20 minutes late arrival at Eastbourne. Watering the Black 5s was done rapidly, as the station staff were persuaded to allow this to be done in-platform (rather than shunting the train as it seemed was originally intended). This enabled on-time departures from Eastbourne and subsequently Hastings, from which the Black 5s made a good run back to London, losing a little time and then gaining it back again so arrival at Victoria was slightly early.

And all without ever exceeding the 60 mph speed limit; the 5s put in some good hill-climbing instead. No doubt the time recovery was partly due to the strikes on Southern (fewer of their services to take priority at junctions etc), and maybe to some sedate pathing in the original schedule. But full marks to the organisers and engine crews for taking proper advantage!

 

You do realise that you are now on the hit list of all the WCRC knockers on NP!

 

Not quite correct. At the time it was allowed on the third rail after dark. I remember the May event very well. A storming climb out of Hastings with 75069 and a brilliant night time run with 34027 from Ashford back to London Bridge. You are correct about the t/f running.

 

The run with 34027 back to London was advertised openly by BR as part of the event so can't see how David Ward wouldn't have known. 75069 and 777 then ran through the early hours down to Eastleigh with some hardy souls booking on that as well. Nice pic by the way. No idea what happened to the ones I took but the interval between the last arrival behind 75069 at Ashford and 34027's departure for London was spent in a pub and some carry outs were taken onto the train so I could well have been a bit unsteady by then.

 

I should have said the trains were organised without his knowledge by Steve somebody, can't remember his other name and by the time it was advertised it was to late to do anything about it.