Steam Dreams to Portsmouth & Salisbury, 20/7/19

Lots of operational interest to this trip. The London portion is Waterloo-Portsmouth Harbour and back, with different, intersting routing in each direction. The afternoon jaunt to Salisbury starts and ends at Portsmouth & Southsea.

Full times are in RTT now: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/sea...0/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt&toc=WR

 

Also top and tailed steam, which is unusual

 

What's at the tail end then? (I assume the B1 leads)

 

44871.

 

Ta!

 

I have been wondering about the practicalities of 'tailing' tender-first ; is tractive assistance able to be provided, for example? What is the maximum trailing speed, tender-first, permitted? 61306 is passed for 75mph, but 44871 only for 60mph (as traction) - is this lower limit lowered still further if tender-first? An unusual loco arrangement, and it piques curiosity.

 

It has got to be timed for the lowest speed locomotive which is the Black 5 as not permitted to go more than 60mph. 'B1' wil have to stick to 60mph - RTT confirms this. As tender first operation, usually 45mph but may be different as part of a complete train, so therefore 60mph for this railtour.

 

Black 5 leading through Dunbridge and going well! Feel for B1 crew as must be very smokey and drafty back there!

 

Yes, that's much as I supposed. However, don't rely too much on RTT's indicated timing speeds - they are far from definitive. Many a time I have seen main line workings along 125mph routes shown as timed for 60mph with a single 75mph-cleared loco at the head. In other words, the timing speed shown doesn't necessarily indicate the maximum permitted speed. There's much to be found on this on the 'sticky' thread.

 

Does that 45mph limit reflect the blowing of coal dust, the possible instability of a tender leading, or something else/both?

 

It is along with with the limited view ahead available to the crew

 

well at Weybridge, all the 5 was doing was hanging on the back, winking, clanking and doing a good impersonation of a caboose.

 

Departure from Salisbury this afternoon, about 20 mins late.

 

Yesterday's run to Portsmouth and Salisbury passing Factory Junction with the ever changing London skyline in the background. I don't think I can remember a top and tailed steam run for that distance before.

 

Some shots and a video from the day, more at https://railwaygalleries.smugmug.com/MainlineSteam/Steam-Tours-in-2019/

 

Great shots! Where were you located to take them?

 

However, the Black 5 is only allowed to travel (in theory) at a speed of 60mph anyway so it is applicable. As RTT and information provided, I don't rely on it, I use it as a guide when partcipating in my pastime of photographing freight trains.