Cathedrals Express to Alton, 2/12/17

Some timings for this are up, and it is fair to guess that it will be a Black Five (advertised as 45212, but you never know) from the beginning, judging by the maximum speed used to produce them. Providing these timings are not tweaked any further, its doing Forest Gate-Canonbury-Willesden West, then going the usual way via Chertsey, where it looks as though water will be taken, and then Pirbright Junction.

Not having done Southend East to Forest Gate, nor Carpenters Road South Junction all the way to Willesden West London Junction, and Pirbright Junction to Alton before, I think its safe to say that 'Operation Bust a Gut Getting to Southend and Back in One Piece' is going to take place after all, so will be booking asap. If only it started from Shoeburyness station, but one can't complain if things do get quieter down south next year.

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54180/2017/12/02/advanced

 

Interesting. The latest issue of Heritage Railway arrived today and an article about this trip in the Main Line news section has the route being via Ascot to Woking and then to Alton via Guildford. I did wonder if the train would reverse at Guildford on the 2nd December so that the Black Five would be the right way round for the Bath trip on the 5th December.

However, it seems the route in HR has been abandoned and the Black Five is now being turned after the Railtour gets to the MHR http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54182/2017/12/02/advanced

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It makes more logistical sense this way, as following HR's logic, there would need to be a tender-first run from somewhere around the junction near Ash Vale to get from Ascot to Woking, then a run from Woking to Guildford, and then another tender-first run to Alton, presumably with passengers on board.

 

T/F running and reversing at Guildford all brings back very happy memories of the much lamented "Daylight Railtours" operated by the MHR back in the 90's. What a great series that was, no fuss, convenient timings,nearly always on time and usually unassisted.

I completely understand why the MHR got out of that market but what good memories!

 

Happy Days!!
The tender first section from Guildford back to Alton was always a highlight with 73096 in charge. She really made a wonderful sound tackling the bank out of Guildford.

 

According to Steam Dreams web site timing page the rail tour is diesel haulage on the return trip back to Southend. I also see looking on Steam info that 45212 is also working another rail tour from Alton to Bath on Tuesday 5th December.

 

Correct, so there will be two Black Fives at Ropley between 2nd and 5th of December

 

Hence why I'm bailing out on the MHR and returning back to Stevenage to collect my car and drive home. Not quite sure what the usual drill is upon arrival at Alton, though.

 

Not sure what will happen either. Santa specials will be operating on the MHR so don't know what will be taking the Railtour to Alresford. Class 50 or 33 I guess. Depends on the brake situation with the stock.

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Hmm. If it's diesel to Alresford, will probably bail at Alton. Santa season is not really the best time of year to hang about for a trip along the line, and it'll save me the bus fare back to Alton to catch the service train.

 

Advertised as resident steam locomotive from Alton to Alresford in covering letter. Still not sure what the arrangements will be at Alton, but my stab is that the trip will cross the boundary, then get dragged into Platform 3 for a locomotive change.

 

A wee bit of a farce is brewing with this one, with a serious delay at Acton Wells. Stewards currently anticipate that train will still depart from Southend East, but station announcements earlier suggested that passengers should head to Barking. Excellent stuff!

 

Overrunning Engineering works somewhere or other

 

Well the ECS is not that far from Shoeburyness CSD - I wonder what the servicing time there is now going to be?

 

On the CE Twitter feed: Latest updates telling passengers the train would be departing Southend at 10.00 and Upminster at 11.00.....

Still no activity from Shoeburyness though where the train is at the moment.
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So this is expected in late now? RTT doesn't show anything as yet.
Not a great day to be too late. Santas during the day and the Belle & RAT in the evening if it ends up running really late at the MHR end.

 

Must have been a bit galling to watch the ECS pass through Southend East at almost 1000hrs on its way to Shoeburyness and servicing after being told to be at Southend East for 0900hrs!

 

I assume it will be at least two hours late as it hasn't even reached its start point yet! I had intended to cycle to near Pirbright for this (from a train at North Camp from Dorking) - looking pointless now, as I want to be here in Betchworth for 'Tornado' passing the house at 1500!

 

RTT showing first pick up was Barking, 111 down. Ran as 5Z50.

 

RTT showed 5Z50 got to Shoeburyness CSD 110L, and has only just left to go back to Southend - 129L running as 5Z51
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54179/2017/12/02/advanced