Sunset Steam Express. Selected Tuesdays, July/August 2022 (Windsor trips cancelled)

I was on today's afternoon Windsor Express and I was underwhelmed with the experience. We crawled and lost time all the way to Willesden, which I think was down to signalling not loco, and didn't get to a decent line speed until Brentford. Arrival in Windsor was 29 late, when we first heard anything from onboard staff - someone came round to tell us to move forward if leaving the train or stay on board if returning. Departure was again 29 late, but 47772 stormed along keeping time until in the Barnes area when we started making up time and arrived at Victoria 14 down.

I was very disappointed that the staff made virtually no contact with the passengers, no ticket checks either way, made no announcements welcoming us or updating us until we reached Windsor, except for the lady selling refreshments. My end of the train was less than 50% full. I was considering booking again when Bahamas is on, but I'm having second thoughts now. Perhaps I'll just go for free on the day!

 

Got back to Victoria only 12 late, giving an idea of just how slack the schedule is!

 

Either that or Lewis Hamilton was driving it!

 

I think it's reasonable to discuss whether this schedule is reasonable or excessively slow. Steam tour schedules are mostly slower than when steam was the usual traction, because of water stops and pathing to fit in with other traffic, so it seems a pity to set a schedule that is even slower than necessary.

 

But in order to discuss that you need to know the pathing opportunities at key points like CJ, Woking, Redhill and E Croydon/Norwood J. The planners are probably working back from that and padding the intermediate schedule to fit.

 

But this is the second season of regular running of these trains so surely WC and the planners have got a feel of what's possible and what isn't?

 

For clarity - your word "chunter" - is that to be taken to mean pointless/worthless, or even negative? If so, are you saying that speculation about the details of schedules, etc., is to be dismissed as unworthy of us? I believe that such discussions are harmless and actually quite interesting, and not intended to be negative per se. It would be a poorer forum if idle speculation and discussion of various aspects of operations are frowned upon, I think.

 

Yes, otherwise there would be no trains. But let's wind the clock back a couple of years, maybe more.

Someone at Steam Dreams has an idea that a half day trip to Windsor and an evening Surrey Hills trip might be a marketable proposition. They put it to WCR that here's a way of getting some use out of the rolling stock. There is a deal to be done with the B1. So there is a proposition. Can it be made to work?

My guess is that the TOC will be going to NR with a plan which looks as if it works. That includes getting the stock into and out of Victoria. There will then be a to and fro process at the detailed level. There will be a risk assessment on the NR side, some what ifs. There will be some timetable padding to make it all fit at the key junctions. And finally there is a result across one of the busiest railways in the world with how many flat junctions to cross. No doubt there is review and lessons learned.

It doesn't really matter exactly who does what at the planning stage. What matters is to create something which is feasible in operational and marketing terms.

 

A Black 5 has been used in the past and presumably can be used in the future. Correct me if I'm wrong aren't Black 5 locos limited to 60mph whereas the B1 is limited to 75mph.

Sent from my SM-A125F using Tapatalk

 

Correct.

 

On that sort of route threading the way through many junctions and intensive electric suburban services there will be little chance of working up to 75 mph.

 

Just noticed from one of my shots that Mayflower blew a nice smoke ring!

 

Thoroughly enjoyed the run on the SSE and the noise from the B1 from coach A was cacophonous! Particularly climbing out of Shalford. Excellent eats and plenty of booze with missus, daughter and prospective son in law who was most impressed and will be recommending the SSE to his colleagues and contacts.

 

Another screengrab so excuse the quality. Looking stunning in the Surrey hills climbing through Shere this evening: