The Tees-Tyne Express 7/10/17

The timings are up for this one:

Outward:
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U62960/2017/10/07/advanced

Shunts:
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U62962/2017/10/07/advanced
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U62963/2017/10/07/advanced

Return:
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U62964/2017/10/07/advanced

Looks like no Sheffield on the outward.
Lot of slow line between York-Newcastle both ways.

 

No Rotherham Central or Sheffield on the return, either. It's turned into the run of the mill, round the houses itinerary past Barrow Hill that's normal for tours heading through the area these days.

As people might guess, I was taking a gamble on Dronfield, but there was always a risk factor as nothing's gone that way for a few years. No matter, as there's still an afternoon in Durham to enjoy, and I'm sure there'll be some opportunities for high speed running.

 

So was I. Haven't done Dronfield for years and hoped with Tornado's ability to fit into tighter paths it would be acceptable to NR. Wouldn't have booked if it had been advertised as round the houses. Still hopefully we'll get some decent fast running on the ECML.

 

Same here, if truth be told. I suspect this could even be a candidate for a 90mph run over that section one day. Would probably have to miss Chesterfield to get the speed up, though.

 

Got seats in coach K so could be 13 as there will be a brake on the diesel section.

 

We're travelling posh class in 'B'. Pity about missing on the bank to Sheffield, but always the 'refreshments' in Newcy to look fwd too

 

Any idea why RTT gives northbound as "timed for 95 mph max, trailing load 455 tonnes" and southbound as "timed for 60 mph max trailing load 715 tonnes".

 

Good spot - missed that !!

 

Diesel hauled to Derby on outward.

 

Yes but that part is also diesel hauled on the return

 

RTT always states how fast the service is timed for as a MAX from when the service starts. I.e. the Cumbrian Mountain Express from Euston to Carlisle and return is genuinely electric hauled from the capital to Carnforth and is stated as timed for 100mph, however you won’t find the steam at Carnforth being able to achieve such speeds onwards towards Carlisle in this day and age. Likewise on the return it is timed for 60mph even though the electric takes over from Farringdon Junction. Despite the slack timings the electric section is still required to run faster than the specified 60mph that RTT states it’s timed for.

Hope this long winded way of describing it is understood and helps a little?

 

Ticket now booked to get to Derby in the morning. Decided to bail out at Chesterfield on the return as the section to Derby is fairly nondescript in the dark, and I've done it before. Also saves a fair bit of money and there is more margin for error to get back to York if there's a problem.

 

24 late into Derby. Caused by DB Freight allowed through Dorridge before train. It stood at Landore for crew change. Chaos here . Now 0908. Tornado just backed on. Station Announcer called 0916 York so presumably we'll follow that. Away 41 down.

 

33m 46 to Chesterfield. Max 59. Left 34 down.

 

Arr York 1106; 22 down. Total of 80.64 miles in a moving time of 1hr 43m, Moving Average 46.9. Max 73.5. A veritable thrill a minute.

 

Depart York 1125

 

Checked before Darlington STH Jn. Darlington pass at 29, now 29 down. Max 75 NR mp41. Arr Durham 17 down. Point to point timings bit of a joke. Hardly any 70+ running. Arr Newcastle 1319, 17 down. Unusually muted outward run.

 

What's the load?

Was on wait list, and got a call last week, but by then committed to Ffestiniog. Mizzle here this morning, slippery rails. Prince took 4 mins for first quarter mile out of Port but made it to Blaenau with 4 bug boxes, 2 bowsiders and the curly roofed van.

 

13 including support coach.

 

Cruising past Croft in the gloom........."The Tees-Tyne Express"