Saphos Trains 2020

Interesting.....
I understand that the Special Traffic Notice for Thursday shows route clearance and speed restrictions for 45231 or 34046.

Cheers, Neil

 

More waiting is required by the looks of things. Either way, will be nice to do a bit of line bashing again.

 

I wonder if it could be 45231 as we've not heard or seen the Bulleid recently, although they do advertise 34046 as the motive power for Thursday.

 

I see that RTT has it on the fast line all the way to East Croydon. Previous runs have seen it cross to the slow at Balham, but presumably the lack of GatEx means a clearer fast line at the moment.

 

The idea of 46100 being allowed between Tonbridge and Hastings takes some believing! I cannot believe that Saphos will be sending down a loco that isn't gauged for the route as the tight clearances on that line are legendary and, of course, the reason for the building of the Schools class. The worst tunnels were singled in 1985-6 but I think that the two tunnels either side of Tunbridge Wells and Bopeep are still a bit tight.Still, we'll have to see what heads south from Crewe on Wednesday.

 

RTT shows two workings from Crewe to Southall on Wednesday, one being the loco and support coach and the other the ECS - why two separate runs, I wonder? Seemingly looking more likely that 46100 will do the Thursday run. Was really hoping for Southern on the Southern, but beggars can't be choosers. Hey ho.

 

'Saphos' don't have a good record at loco rostering - remember the unassisted leaf fall season 'Brit'-on-12 farce at Maidstone?

 

When they ran 46100 and 70000 to Bristol they did it separately from the stock. It was the crew on Saturday that thought 46100 was going to Southall but there does appear to be some last minute choosing of loco subject of course to gauging.

 

Remember they are running a Paddington to Worcester on Saturday as well as the Hastings/Eastbourne job. 34046/45231 running on Thursday then 46100 gets used on Saturday isn't unreasonable.

Andrew

 

Railway Herald's tours page, updated today at 1113, shows 34046 set for the positioning move.

 

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U53351/2020-09-09/detailed

 

RH tour page updated again today confirming 34046 as moving tomorrow and heading both Thursday and Saturdays trains.

Phew.....

Andrew

 

Does anyone have any details other than timings of the four-day private charter to Scotland including the Kyle line 25th to 28th September? Who is it for and which locomotive(s)?

 

Can confirm that 34046 is on the movement today and operating Thursdays and Saturdays tour subject to the usual caveats

 

10:40 5Z69 Crewe to Southall.
47.805 leading, full rake of stock plus 37.688 at the rear. <BJ>
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U53352/2020-09-09/detailed

 

Can anyone recommend any good locations to see the train on the return, somewhere between Hastings and Tonbridge?

Many thanks.

 

Bear in mind it's not going back directly from Hastings to Tonbridge but via Ashford. To see it going flat out Headcorn ain't half bad as its got four tracks through the station.

 

Sorry, yes. I should have clarified that. I was wondering whether there were any spots in the Appledore area, but I may just end up going to Headcorn.

 

It's shown on RTT as routed via the loop (UGL - up goods loop) there so may be quite slow (and not through the station itself) - of course it may change on the day, but just a warning.

 

I understand that the Special Traffic Notice shows the train via the UM.

Cheers, Neil