35028 Clan Line to Exeter - now 10/08/19

The return working is booked FL Worting Jn to Waterloo. No weave at Queenstown Road.

Cheers, Neil

 

Various people have asked me (not on NP yet though) "how have MNLPS/UKR again managed to get a fast line path from Waterloo via Surbiton, whereas other operators have to go the slow route via Staines"? Well, without giving away our 'industry connections' the short answer is you don't ask to leave and arrive during the busiest time - which is the most of the day/evening at Waterloo. But that is certainly not the whole story. Even the 07.52 departure path that we identified for Saturday's run requires a fair amount of flexing of SWR services. So that means working out what those various re-timings should be, getting them agreed by SWR and the new schedules input into 'the system' at least 18 weeks beforehand. In other words, "if you want it, you do the work, and we'll decide whether we agree or not". In theory, all this should be done by the charter TOC, but as we all work well together, and there are 4 ex train planners within the MNLPS operating committee, we did the legwork and submitted it through DBC and NR. It also does help to know the right people of course! Simple requests to leave at 9 or 10 0'clock in the morning and go via Surbiton will be rejected due to no paths available. Yes, we did it mid-morning from Waterloo on a weekday with the Bournemouth Belle two years ago, but that was a unique occasion which required shedloads of alterations to be agreed, and SWT were very co-operative.
So we look forward to Saturday and hope for a great trip. Nearly 400 miles of steam behind 'London's locomotive', lots of fast running anticipated, no silly advertising board on the front and no diesel on the back - what's not to like?! There's only a small handful of seats remaining (as of last weekend) so get in quick!

 

No debate Don. If you have a Woking pu stop - which on this trip you really must - then there is absolutely no FL path onwards to Basingstoke. We knew this from the outset; too many fast services bearing down on us. As Neil has said though, FL all the way back from Worting to Waterloo.

 

Yes of course when you think about it. But is the Basingstoke stop needed? Without it the charter could stay ahead of the 905 Bournemouth and 920 Exeter. Being picky though as it looks really good

 

The weather is being kind too plenty of rain Friday and Saturday !not sure holiday makers would agree though!!

 

Yes but gales which usually means trees down

 

Are any changes being made to the 1850 Poole to Waterloo which as it stands leaves Farnbrough two minutes in front of the charter?

 

Yes I would agree this country shifts from fire risk to Autumn gales and all the associated issues in the blink of an eye. Even the BBC weather described the Friday and Saturday forecast as October weather at lunchtime yesterday.

 

Yes indeed when I booked I was concerned about heatwaves not gales!!

 

What is the issue Don? I understood from post #64 and looking at RTT that it is FL all the way back from Worting Junction

 

Sorry I had missed that Al.

 

It is bound to be checked even If on time as the gap is only two minutes

 

An SWR train on time from Poole or Weymouth Don whatever next!

 

Well yes I know it’s unlikely but miracles can happen. Anyway I am just going to sit back and enjoy the day

 

Why would they do that just to benefit 300 people being hauled by a kettle?

 

It's called cooperation. Two parties working together to ensure that both the service train and the steam charter are not delayed.

It's also called common sense. Something that's not often found in the modern world. <BJ>

 

Well start from now Don, enjoy the day and let others take the strain.