Cromwell to Folkestone

Wow what an amazing day, one of the best train days I have ever had, even my Mum was impressed with the noise 70013 made and the way in echoed around. I have 27 pictures on my website, far more than I would normally post but I like them all and it was a special day! 24 from the harbour and 3 from Wye on the way home...

http://ashleysmith355.fotopic.net/c1644660_8.html

 

Splendid day - even if the Class 47 was pushing on the last two runs up the bank.

Pics here:

http://simon71.fotopic.net/c1667127_1.html

 

A splendid outing and a good crowd!

Some pictures here.

http://phil-edwards.photobook.org.uk/c1667186.html

And one that has not been possible for many years!

[attachment=0:3j3eq2hl]P3140623f.JPG[/attachment:3j3eq2hl]

 

Great Trip, could not complain except for the weather... and no refreshments on the return journey. Had to drink scotch whisky straight! Got a sample of pics from the day. Thanks to stewards and everyone else involved for a great day, and to the girls running around the carriages which brightened things up whenever they passed by.

 

Nice shots eveyone.

Chased Cromwell around Kent today, seen near Ashford (twice), around Folkestone Harbour, at Canterbury West and finally at Sturry. A few of my shots can be found below

http://craigrailpics.fotopic.net/c1661366_30.html

And a video @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugxZYWMA ... annel_page

Thought my ears were going to burst when 70013 passed me on 2nd run up the Folkestone Harbour Branch. One of the loudest steam locos I've ever experienced.

 

\/ \/ What a show on the return at Farningham Road! What can I say??? Absolutely awesome! \/

Tom

 

Superb day, despite it being a bit of an effort to get to Folkestone (4 hours, changing at Gatwick, Redhill and Tonbridge just to get down the coast), the sheer noise from 70013 was enough to make it worthwhile, and i couldnt suppress a grin both times i saw her pass. Catching her leaving Ashford, completely by suprise, was another huge bonus - wha a sight, and what a sound!

Chris

 

Can't believe I got this shot. You can stand for ages and not see a Eurostar on the somewhat under used High Speed Link. But for one to come as Ollie roared past was amazing. I'd gone to my fav spot at Sevington but there was a tsr in place, and I obviously wanted to get the full noise and clag from Ollie. So I went, (in a hurry, but my speed on the M20 was still legal if you count it as in kilometres per hour!), to the main road bridge just over the summit of the climb up to Westenhanger. The wind was blowing from the West and it got brighter. So I had to shoot from the restricted side, (trees), which meant only using full telephoto, (35mm equiv to 200mm). Just framing up on Ollie and suddenly saw the Eurostar. So had to frame on that making sure I got it's nose between catenary masts, and just hoped Ollie would be OK. I think it worked. Oh. And for the only time that day in 8 locations I got to, the sun came out!

Both trains whistled/hooted at each other! Bless!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pFc6ktjKI8

 

Fantastic shot. Sometimes the Gods of railway photography smile - you couldn't plan that if you tried for the next 200 years, especially with the only sun of the day as well against that stormy sky. You just forget all the times the sun went in just as the train arrived, or something going the other way blocks your view, or something really good turns up 20 secs after you've put the camera away #-o

STEVE

 

Yes the 47 was pushing , but lifting 10 up 1 in 30 unaided isn't going to happen! But the 47 wasn't helping much, it gave a bit of a shove then backed off, it wasn't doing much more than idling most of the time. I was right at the back of the train and saw the same on the photo run-pasts. Well done to West Coast for letting 70013 do the majority of the work. The sound echoching the harbour was supurb http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSLaAp7AmaA

Also 70013 made a very good climb of Sole Street bank in the evening.

 

I think we all agree it was a great day. I did the first run up the incline and the noise in the window of the first public coach was awesome. Still to see my vid of the day on screen.
I believe the delay at Penge am was due to dragging brakes. Apart from that the whole day was spot on.
Congrats to all concerned.

 

Great pictures and videos of a great day. Really enjoyed the trip and would agree with all the comments posted so far. 70013 really is an impressive locomotive. My 4th run with her and again a stunning performance. The sounds at Folkestone Harbour were superb, the mighty bark from 70013 echoing around the harbour. I must admit there was a lump in the throat as we travelled up on the third run up the bank and I did notice a few others wiping tears from their eyes. I hope that the branch is saved but if it really was the end for the line it was a fitiing way for it to go out with a Britannia rousing the ghosts of the past. Thanks to all involved for a superb run. A few shots from the day:

 

A couple more of a sight we probably won't see again:

 

Great trip and a terrific noise from 70013 up the bank! The climb up Sole Street bank was equally good and the run down to Swanley was super. Thanks to all involved.

 

Video of the train at Shortlands on the return leg:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBcAc4WnU4U

Regards,

Dan

 

This vid supersedes the previous one I posted:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FM7k6yHmhJE

 

I'm hoping one of the many video cameramen en-route will upload their shots of the runs through Newington/Rainham, and the drop down the bank west of Sole Street...we were really flying there.

 

Good to see it at Waterloo,Green Five.Nice picture.
I was wondering when this would appear-the starting point.Thanks.