Saphos Trains 'Golden Arrow' - 26/10/19

70000 temporarily renumbered 70014

 

ECS at Ealing Broadway RT.

 

ECS on its way to Victoria and Diesel path back to Wembley has been activated, looking promising!

Let's hope the rain stays West of London during daylight hours

 

Anyone else heading for Coldblow foot crossing on Martin Mill Bank? not much room there if several

 

12 on no diesel. Jim Clarke driving first leg

 

Stalled on Bearsted bank.

 

Indeed yes. Through Maidstone East well below speed limit so never had a chance

 

Oh dear let's hope it doesn't cause too much delay, suprised it's gone out without a diesel tbh, it is slippy today

Matt

 

I'm astounded that it was allowed 12 without assistance in autumn, and it's not even got to the known trouble spot yet! Who approved this, when so much else is top and tailed even in good conditions? Unfortunately, this will again reflect poorly on steam (unfairly). RTT shows it as still approaching Maidstone, so I guess it has sat down properly.

 

At Turkey Court in 1 in 60 nearly two miles short of Bearsted

 

Indeed - 12 coaches for what is effectively a light pacific in heavy leaf fall conditions at 1 in 60! No-one likes to see a diesel at the rear, but some trips really do demand it.

 

Can we have information posts please, not endless 'I told you so'

From National Rail

TOC(s) affected Southeastern;
Description

A broken down train between Maidstone East and Bearsted is causing disruption to trains between these stations.

Trains between Maidstone East and Ashford International may be delayed or revised. Disruption is expected until 14:30.

What's happened?
A steam train has broken down between Maidstone East and Bearsted, blocking the line from Maidstone East towards Ashford International.

 

I Wondered what was going on - was planning to see it at Ashford. Guess I'll have lunch instead !

 

Aww, that’s no fun

James

 

It will be interesting to see how the situation is recovered - there is a SE service train in Maidstone East so no option to back down and have a second attempt. At least being air braked stock means a wider choice of rescue loco can be used, but where from?

Regards,

Dan

 

Apparently hand sanding?!

 

What's to stop the service train assisting? No need to couple. Or is something that simple and practical not allowed these days?

 

According to GPS we're 1.24 miles out of Maidstone E. Not far into the 1 in 60.