York Yuletide Express: 6/12/18

6233 has just pulled into York platform 11 with its support coach.

Whilst over on the other side an LNER-branded Azuma has just rumbled in - on diesel.

 

Unedited footage of No. 9 at Newark captured with a Samsung S7 mobile.

 

Some serious A4 pace there!

 

Two for the price of one today!

"Union of South Africa", 06/12/18.

"Duchess of Sutherland", 06/12/18.

 

Completely off topic is that a free app for your phone to record speed etc, been looking at downloading something for the same use?

 

Worth a diversion off the A1, my wife and I were suitably impressed.

 

Yes - it's called GPS Speedometer Pro by Cool Niks. Both free and paid versions - mine's the paid one.

 

Ta I will have a look, although as you are on the tour should you not be quaffing fine wines or something at this point?

 

We're on the move now - there have been some 'interesting' issues with getting the red engine on to the train!

However, I'm now seated near the front so I have got a glorious Duchess soundtrack, even with the windows shut!

 

Sparkling water and a bottle of Gravy Train Ale, actually. I have to drive at the end of the journey and I have a long drive at six o'clock tomorrow morning

 

Is that a new additional benefit that WCRC/RTC have introduced?

 

The last time I set foot on a footplate was 70013 at Bressingham in about 1979... I've not been on one since. It all looks very complicated and even harder work. And with my back...

 

Some of the info the speedo app also generates and uses;

 

March this morning, water stop and passenger pick up. Photos to follow...

 

Good to see the Semaphores still extant. Is the crossing still operated by a man?

 

With your back, you best not try the reverser on Britannia then.

 

Yes. A location with semaphores, a signal box and a manually operated level crossing that could be a time warp back to the 1950s/60s. The only anomaly being the presence of an A4 on this particular line!

 

However... the box at King's Dyke may not be there much longer as they've finally secured funding and the go-ahead for an overbridge. About forty years after I first heard of it!

 

"The men I want, Dr Beeching said,
Are strong in the arm and thick in the head.
Then maybe with determination and will,
They can turn this bloody reversing wheel. "

 

Cant beat an A4 in full flight