No.9 on Edinburgh Christmas Market 08/12/18

Surprisingly, no reports so far on today's lengthy outing for No.9. RTT tracking for northbound leg is shown here http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54766/2018/12/08/advanced

So far, the highlight seems to have been a decent run over the 56 mile stretch from Cramlington to Tweedmouth PSB in 51 minutes pass-to-pass. Does anyone have anything (else) on progress? This must surely rate as one of the day's more significant excursions, and a precursor to something closer to a grand main line finale when No.9 will be performing the same itinerary on 23rd March.

(Return leg 1Z11 shown at http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54769/2018/12/08/advanced)

 

Yeh lads im on this 1 it missed a water stop at morpeth and out on berwick nearly 15 late we watered at berwick at 10:10am off at 11am odd 10 late and at dunbar wait 4 lner trains 4 path.

 

And arr in edinburgh supposedly 12:36pm

 

What's the load?

 

In strong winds and plenty of cloud around, to get lucky at the lineside today almost encourages the purchase of a lottery ticket this evening!

Two from today, firstly at the Royal Border Bridge in Berwick Upon Tweed and then a few miles further North at Burnmouth. Fantastic to have No. 9 return home again, if only for a day.

Gresley A4 No. 60009 'Union Of South Africa' - Royal Border Bridge, Berwick by Jonathon Gourlay, on Flickr

Gresley A4 No. 60009 'Union Of South Africa' - Burnmouth by Jonathon Gourlay, on Flickr

 

Absolutely superb images!! Maybe answers 1020 Shireman's earlier question too. Looks like Load 11 plus something on the back??

 

Light in your first shot is something else...

 

Looked at all the moves in and around the Edinburgh Area today and it looked nigh on certain that there would be a diesel on the rear to shunt the train.

 

As you say a load of 11 plus 47854 on the rear.

 

Excellent shots Jonny,we were at Spittal and watched the train go over the bridge with smoke blowing all over the place but you nailed it pal

 

Edinburgh Xmas Market by Henry Elliott, on Flickr
Edinburgh Xmas Market by Henry Elliott, on Flickr

 

Acklington. Going like the clappers. About time we had something along the ECML north of Newcastle. The last one was 60103 in May on a one-way trip.

 

Nice. An A4 and two Castles in that top shot.

 

Approaching Acklington, 4 minutes down. By Belford it was one up.

According to the times on RTT it took eight and a half minutes to do the ten and a half miles (approx) from Widdrington to Wooden Crossing. That's an average of 74.2 by my reckoning, so it's safe to assume it might have topped the 75 at times.

 

Travelled on the tour yesterday,had a great day with some decent running,pushing at lower speeds but mostly unassisted,and personally didn't dissuade from the occasion at all. In fact I'm pleased the diesel helped when it did,meaning we kept to time and weren't taking forever and a day getting up to speed on such a long steam hauled trip. Over 400 miles with steam in one day on a core main line such as the ECML is fantastic,and it's great to see paths such as yesterday's instead of the usual stagger,ample time in Edinburgh too,be nice to see such a tour become a more frequent part of the calendar if the paths were available?

I've put a couple of my photos below,thanks to all involved for a great trip,the only downside was that we were at the back all day,but I've learnt not to be bothered by these things as it's happened so many times over the years!

An A4 at Waverley by Mark Walker, on Flickr


Legends of Steam by Mark Walker, on Flickr

60009,Edinburgh Waverley by Mark Walker, on Flickr


Cheers,
Mark

 

My efforts following No9 on Saturday

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/hbq5r4uq2d210bk/AAC5B_7hHQG_WAiYNCFidayga?dl=0

 

Thanks for that and it shows how far Castles are behind an A4

 

No. 9 steams north on the Royal Border Bridge

or at least she would if i could get my pictures to upload!