The Easterling 28/08/17 UKRT/A1ST 60163

Looking forward to finishing work tomorrow and having a stroll down to Baits Bite Lock to see it come storming past. Is there a better sight than than a wonderful peice of engineering, storming past at full cry? (Well, apart from maybe being on the train?)

 

Sadly, having checked the timings, it'll be a breakfast at Stevenage Spoons for me whilst the climb of Holloway takes place.

 

In plat 1 KGX. 60163 + 13 + 66 128 at rear. Have been advised diesel will not assist as its driver will be on footplate of Tornado for route knowledge purposes.

 

Standard at the front.

 

Checked on Holloway to cross to down slow following 09.04 ex KGX.

Max 48 after Hornsey then settled down to a steady 46 mph on the 1:200 to Potters Bar.

Away a couple mins down.

 

Nice clean start from PBR. 63 max after Hatfield then severe sig check due to late running service trains.

9 late away from SVG.

 

Thanks for the updates Sean. Thought about doing a late booking on this but a spell of ill health prevented that. Currently following it on Opentime maps. Enjoy your trip and hope you manage a bit of spirited running.

Dave B

 

KGX to PBR 25m 42s
PBR to SVG 27m 05s
SVG to HIT 9m 04s
HIT to CBG 41m 32s then fwd to Coldham Lane loop.

Took flyover line at Hitchin, checked out behind Lynn train not ideal, brief slip on viaduct but never in trouble.

Lots of noise. Max 70 before Meldreth then checked before and after Foxton with a 50 max in between.

 

'Flat' or not, there's certainly plenty of noise at the front! 75 between Thetford and Attleborough.

 

Hitchin Flyover:

 

Well I wasn't expecting that!More noise than Cockett, huge crowds and sunshine.

75 thro Harling and other 70 maxes. Solid work between the slacks.
Just crossed the top n tail 37s at Acle.

 

What is the gradient up to the Hitchin flyover?

 

Never doubted for one minute that she'd do it. Working at the NVR today but hope to catch her through 34D later.

 

Phil D on Railway Narkive posted:
1:289 falling
1:86 rising
1:99 falling
1:89 rising
1:136 rising

This is consistent with lineside boards. The dip after the viaduct is at MP 33 1/2.

Apparently Hitchin viaduct was designed to be used by heavy freight, so unlike the festival line at Reading.

 

Called in at Harling Road on the way to Whitwell & Reepham station and there were'nt that many around to watch it go through - certainly nowhere near the numbers I was expecting.
Only 4 people at the end of the platform, and one of those wasn't taking photos!

 

If it wasn't for some spectacularly poor planning on my part, I could have done this trip

 

Moi aussi. Volunteered for helping out with 34081 over the weekend. Was sure that I'd put my name down for Sunday but discovered I was on duty today so haven;t even seen her yet, let alone travel on it.