The Nigel Dobbing Memorial Train 17th March 2019

Was a diesel added to the train or did it set off just with 35018?

 

On it’s own Jack but it’s still at Hellifield due to flooding in between Hellifield and Skipton.

 

I see, that's a long journey for a steam engine by itself, especially over 3 days, but i'm sure WC know what they are doing, that's if they get going of course.

 

Why? Galatea, Scots Guardsman,and the 8 freight have all done the same journey out and back trouble free,without an oil burner tagging along!

 

Oh Yes! Totally forgot about the triple header to the Mid Norfolk.

 

Plus Galatea,. Carnforth to Kings Lynn and back, with a railtour in between,hauling the vintage stock unassisted.

 

Didn't realise that was unassisted too. Just seemed odd for an outing such as that to not have a diesel, but clearly it has happened before.

 

On the move 268 mins down.

 

4hrs 28 mins late...... WOW!

 

4 hours, 28? pfffft thats nothing, waited longer than that for a steam train to appear, and that was in the days b4 RTT and Twitter, who knew WTF was going on!

 

And 46115 did Carnforth to Kings Lyn and back plus Nigel's birthday special a few years back, all without a box on the back.

 

With the rain pouring down this was not a night to be out but just had to be done to see 35018 this far south. Running 211 late but making a fine sight through Newark Northgate station

 

Watched this yesterday in driving rain in a flooded field. As 35018 stormed through 4 hours late I realised how much of a debt of gratitude we owe to all at West Coast. The footplate staff and support crew deserve medals for what must have been a horrendously long hard day. Well done to all concerned.

 

Agree with @68923. Everyone involved on 35018 yesterday must have been absolutely exhausted at the end of the day. Well done to the crew for reducing a 270 minute deficit from Hellifield to a 163 minutes at Ely, helped no doubt by NR signallers.

West Coast get a lot of stick on here at times when things don't work out right or to some peoples satisfaction, but very rarely do they get praise for anything good. Yesterday was a praiseworthy day IMHO. Not only the ECS move for this train, but they also had their Northern Belle running yesterday plus the Cumbrian Coast Express, so a lot of resources used. So well done all at West Coast.

Dave B

 

Top marks to all involved yesterday getting BIL across country.
As Mr Groks says, WC get a lot of criticism because of the way they run their business, but without WC and ALL their staff and management, we'd be stuffed.

 

Train away from Kings Lynn on time. Hope all on board have an enjoyable day remembering Nigel and the good trips he ran. I'll raise a glass to his memory at lunch time.

Dave B

 

Late out of Grantham, is there an issue?

 

Totally agree. There was so much water coming down and on the ground an Ark would have been the most appropriate from of transport! Well done to all at NR.