Cathedrals Express to Norwich 22/02/18

As @Sidmouth has already posted elsewhere, the report of Ollie's failure was an exaggeration (to paraphrase Mark Twain). Since he's recently been checking Ollie's availability for a photo charter on the KWVR, he's probably well-informed on the matter.

 

But didn’t RTT report the return from Windsor to Victoria as cancelled?

 

Les, Train Manager for RTC, told us last Saturday that the engine wasn't failed. Pete Roberts had a family emergency and wasn't available to drive Cromwell on the return. No alternative driver apparently.

 

Thanks for this and let us hope for a good outcome to Pete’s Problem.

 

Two live videos on Facebook for anyone interested. Going live at 11 and 12:20 all being well:

https://www.facebook.com/AuthenticAspects/posts/852672051602384

 

Have been told there's been an issue, possibly with lubrication. Train to continue from Diss to Norwich at 20mph with the return to be diesel hauled. Termination at Stratford, presumably to avoid reversal at Liverpool St. Info is 2nd hand, but passed on from someone on the train. Doesn't sound promising

 

I'm on the train and thats what we were told.

 

Thank you for that info.

 

http://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/o...ks-down-and-causes-delays-near-diss-1-5405304

Found on NewsNow news search site.
Not a good way to end the mainline ticket for 70013.

Cheers, Neil

 

Just watched some of this Facebook livestream that BBC Look East did at Norwich, includes them speaking to members of the crew (see around 46 mins onwards) confirming that 70013 will be going no further than Norwich tonight, but they will try and repair it there before the Cardiff tour next week:

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1720601838020688

Shame, was going well when I saw it north of Colchester earlier!

 

Kelvedon

 

Here she is passing witham earlier today!

 

Diss, not doing 20mph!

 

We stopped in the middle of nowhere north of Diss. I think it was near Swainsthorpe.

 

Clearly it was Diss wot done it.

 

The headline on that page really does prove that the bigger the type, the bigger the balls-up!

 

We are talking about the "Ipswich Star" here, renowned for naff reporting standards since it was just the "Evening Star". However, the British Bucket Company excel in such things as well.....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-eng...omotive-breaks-down-on-final-east-anglia-trip

Used in service between Norwich and London for 30 Years from 1951 !!!!

 

I understand that the defective big end bearing should be at Loughborough by now for cheaning up and remetalling.

Cheers, Neil

 

My Picture of it coming up Bethnal Green Bank, it didn't appear to be having any diesel assistance