Steam Dreams 2018

I didn't get this email.

I'm aged over 60, my internet provider is Sky and the only device I use is iPad.

Stef.

 

No! Didn't work then, look at the date of the thread, and doesn't work now.

 

sorry for that, didn't notice the date in the rush to post it, hope you find a solution

dave

 

I didn't get this email either. I'm using a hotmail account.

Mind you, I am in my early 20s, but I'm not sure I've ever told SD my age?

 

We often talk about the misrepresentation of Stem Hauled Trains. Had this from Steam Dreams Email yesterday:

This one-off special express path from Liverpool Street up the Great Eastern mainline to Norwich should evoke memories from when the Britannias ruled the roost before dieselisation and eventual electrification of the line to Norwich.

 

Interesting letter from Mr David Ward published in Heritage Railway mag this month about diesel assistance.

 

The e-mail I had was also claiming that the 1st of March trip with 70013 this year was the first St Davids Day excursion they had ever done with 70013. Er..... Wait, what about the 2009 trip I mentioned in the other thread..... Hauled by 70013

Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk

 

Does anyone know what happened on tonights Windsor run? Seems the return was cancelled?

 

Heard a rumour that it failed at some point during the day. It had been clanking alot throughout the day, at Victoria, Shephard's Bush and Feltham, and a number of support crew members were checking over the fireman's side of the loco, looking at the rods and axle on the rear driving wheel at Victoria. Subsequently has been withdrawn from the Keighley Spring Gala as a result; not sure what's to happen with the rest of it's mainline work.

 

My video of the Valentine's Day tours yesterday...

 

Cromwell from usual spot on Martin Mill Bank, looked a treat and sounded good, nice whistle for us!

Only got the camera back from the repairers 15 minutes before she went through so quick point and shoot from on top of a post!

Tail gunner was far from passive.



[edit] Now that a dedicated thread has subsequently appeared, perhaps mods could move these two across

 

More trains now have a loco allocated to them. No surprise - more work for Mayflower and a few trips for Union of South Africa. Still a few trains with no loco as yet. I wonder if we will see a certain highly geographically appropriate green pacific down here if its teething troubles are sorted out by then.

 

Just hope we get more tail gunner free runs that the last 2 years.

 

Yes - totally agree with all that. I haven't given up on them completely but last year I only went on 2 of their trains, one of which to be fair was the very good diesel-free run to Bath with 70013 in December.

 

THE CATHEDRALS EXPRESS
Thursday 5 April 2018

LMS Class 5MT 4-6-0 no 45212

TIMES


Steam hauled: Willesden-Salisbury-Willesden



Yet another one without a box on the back today. This is a very encouraging development - I might start booking with them again!

 

There is a short piece in latest HR mag quoting Mr Robertson as acknowledging adverse customer reaction to the use of diesel assistance and is "intent on discarding diesels at the rear .... whenever practicable".
Also says 45212 will be reserve loco for 61306 throughout the year, stabled at Southall.

 

That's good news. My wife and I have had some good trips with SD in the past but have given them a wide berth in recent years for precisely this reason. Bring 35018 down south when it has been fully run in and I'll be more than willing to give them another try.

Was anyone else out for this? I use a film camera so can't share my efforts with the forum, but the weather was superb and 45212 was on good form apart from the perennial problem with Stanier engines of leaking drain cocks (and yes, no diesel on the back). 30 minutes late when I saw it hitting the 1 in 103 from Virginia Water to Lyne but it had pulled back over 15 minutes by the time I next saw it going under Battledown Flyover - in fact, I only just made it!

 

I was! Video below from Willesden this morning. Having never seen a loco change there before, is it a regular thing to occupy the South Western lines and shunt via West London Jn rather than use the South-West Sidings? Anyway, 45212 looks very nice, and if it is to be the backup for Mayflower, I look forward to it!