Steam Dreams Valentine Trips with 60163 14/02/09

Just noticed on UKsteam that the first of the above trips has now changed route. Instead of a Trowbridge circular, out via the Berks & Hants and return via Swindon & Didcot on the former GW main line, it is now doing an Andover circular on the former L&SWR main line. I don't know the reasoning for this, but many people in the Thames Valley(Reading) area were looking forward to going out for this. Seeing 60163 through Reading would have been something! Also to note is that the London departure station has also changed. I suppose 2 steam locos in one day was asking too much, what's the betting Tangemere's trip the same day gets cancelled?

 

A far better route for me.
\/ \/ \/ \/

 

From what I heard at the Bluebell's East Grinstead open day last Saturday it was because the departure times for 35028 on the VSOE and 60163 were too similar, both out of Victoria. I am sure someone more in the know will be able to provide a full reason soon! Four steam tours in the south out of London on one day isnt too bad however!

 

Should still be able to see it i think? We are doing the evening one.....

 

Yes, I was, but if Tangmere still runs it is still possible to photograph both - Tangmere is due through Reading around 09:45 (provisional times on RYTC's site), Tornado doesn't leave Waterloo until 09:40 (also provisional times from STDR's site) so it should be possible to shoot Tangmere somewhere west of Newbury, then catch Tornado between Basingstoke and Laverstock and also further round the loop back through Eastleigh

STEVE

 

If people from Wakefield can see it i'm sure people from Reading can!

 

And still have time to see Tangmere again at Salisbury in the late afternoon before catching Tornado one last time under some station lights on her evening trip. Assuming everything runs to time, of course!! It will be a busy day...

 

Times are now available on UK steam info

http://www.uksteam.info/tours/t09/t0214b.htm

 

Now that is unsual - stabling the train at Grove Park sidings during the afternoon and early evening :-k

That will be the first time an A1 has ever ventured onto the former SR Eastern section. I would assume that it will be turned on the Hither Green triangle at some point, unless the turntable is working?

Regards,

Dan

 

Whilst freeloading a couple Tornado shots today at Bowes Park, i heard that there is a gauging problem in the Grove park area. So they may be keeping it around the Battersea area.
Can anyone confirm this?

Mike M. ( 70 c )

 

Easy, Pewsey for 11.30ish for Tangmere, then off down to Grately (or even Andover) for 12.20 (or 12.12) with only a 20 (or 25 minute) drive between the them. Before the mention of Tangemere on the B&H, I was considering Overton, as seems to be a timetabled stop there, I presume for a top up.


(or instead of Pewsey, try Wilton Water, by Crofton for Tangmere. 30 mins drive to Grately as very rural at Wilton Water, but you have Crofton engine the background see http://www.croftonbeamengines.org/Crofton-ImaN.jpg from Croftons web site and http://www.mattallenphoto.co.uk/crofton-01-lowres.jpg from PhotoMat.)

 

I notice from UK steam that Tornado and Clan Line pass through Clapham Junction within 10 minutes of each other (assuming they are both on time). Tornado due 1546 and 35028 at 1535. :-k
Des

 

We'll be on the Southern main line somewhere.......

Traveling on the evening one though.

Cheers,
Mark

 

More detailed timings on the SD website http://www.steamdreams.com/content/view/47/50/
does steam normally return to Platform 19 at Waterloo? I thought that the signal prevented the diesel being re-attached in this platform

 

As I'm busy doing P-Way work during the day I'm hoping to see Tangmere at Reading then hop on a Turbo to see Tornado duing her water stop at Shalford. It'll work quite nicely if everthing runs to within 10 minutes of booked time. - fingers crossed!

Does the engine usually stop in the station for the water stop at Shalford?

 

At Shalford there is a little footbridge you can stand on, near the station and get a perfect view of the engine being watered.
I am going to be out and about during the day, although according to the timings there is no water stop on the daytime trip, so its going to be a quick dash from location to location with little time to set the cameras up.

 

yes - steam normally runs behind the FGW unit so that can clear the station.

It will then stop at the station and be watered from a tanker.

There is a foot bridge that crosses the east end of the station (not linked to the platforms). Unfortunately, although you can get close to the loco, the scope for photos is fairly limited.

A few photos to show you what I mean:

http://simon71.fotopic.net/search.php?txt=shalford&t=p

 

Cheers Simon and MParker - sounds good. I'm not really very good at photography so it doesn't really matter about poor locations (especially as it'll be dark). It does seems from your photos that I should be able to get up close to the engine, which is my main interest.

Looking forward to Saturday now!

 

Or, if you want to see and hear her working, try the next station along, Gomshall. There's quite a climb from Shalford to Shere, a mile or so downhill to Gomshall and then another uphill stretch to Deerleap Wood a couple of miles further east.