LE movements, ECS and test runs 2023

Not sure what was going on, seen a video of 45699 at Lancaster and she was slowing to a halt on the DM, with adverse signals ahead. Not sure how she could have held that much up for any great amount of time as they regularly hold stuff on the main and allow stuff to pass on the slow there, unless they released her and she stopped again further up?

 

I think it’s a little nod St Rollox (?) they used to line out the back of the tenders.

 

70000 Swanage- Crewe April 11.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U66127/2023-04-11/detailed

 

Nope, a trio of locos on a move has happened a few times before.

 

Not tender first though I would have thought .

 

raise you ........
71000, 5029, 6023, 3440 - plus POBs - 81E to 81A and return for a open day

 

We need photos!

 

I can't find any pictures but I did find this report of the five loco positioning move on the 6024 website:
"15 August 1991
No. 6024 made its first trip in preservation to London. In a remarkable 5 locomotive convey (with 71000 Duke of Gloucester, 6998 Burton Agnes Hall, 5029 Nunney Castle & 3440 City of Truro) the locomotive made its way to what had been the GWR’s principal depot for express passenger locomotives in London at Old Oak Common. Here No. 6024 and its fellow travellers were star exhibits at the depot’s open day before repeating the locomotive convey back to Didcot."

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Those at certain levels at BR could be seriously arsed when they wanted to be!

 

Photo taken earlier in day as we waited for 3440 to arrive from up't north. And apologies I forgot 6998, and yes it was 6024... I remember the crewing arrangements were flexible on the two trips...One BR crew and lots of owners reps .. I am sure that technically some engines were in light steam.... ;-)

 

Found a video of another convoy in 1991: 70000, 34027, 777 & 80080 from Lovers Walk depot to Southall:


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Just found this video of the convoy passing through Pangbourne in the early hours of the morning with whistling from the crews:


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Chester, 01.04.94, enroute to Llandudno Jcn.

 

The first day of the privatised British Rail when representative locos of the 4 Grouping companies worked Llandudno Junction - Holyhead charters.

 

Yes, Ian, a remarkable day and I remember it well! As I recall, we all waited in the sunshine at Didcot for Ray Towell to arrive with 'Truro' from York and no sooner had he watered, he was summarily attached to the rear of the convoy and off we went!

6024 was leading, as it was booked as the 'King''s triumphal return to London, but it didn't go quite to plan. The water valve on 6024 got stuck open and the contents of the tender tank had pretty much been emptied by the time we reached Reading. Luckily, the lads in the fire station, alongside Reading station, came to rescue and refilled the tender.

Now very late (well past midnight) and not wishing to risk a repeat, 71000 was deputed to provide main traction, although still second loco in the convoy. With the late Dave Davies driving (latterly well-known on steam and ex-Nine Elms and on his first post-end of steam driving turn), we 'took off', running FL from Reading gasworks. An extraordinary run ensued, with one of the support crew firing - I merely stood behind the driver and enjoyed the ride! I've never seen any pictures of the run up, except for a couple at Reading; there were still a lot of people about, especially at Slough, but it ewas pre-digital.

The open day equally enjoyable and some aerial pictures (taken by my brother, Richard, who was senior pilot at the London Air Ambulance at the time) were published in Railway Mag.

JS

 

11th April 2013 60009 61994 48151 Engine Move - YouTube

A 3 loco move from York to Hellifield on 11th April 2013.
At Hellifield 48151 detached from the train and ran to Carnforth. 60009 and 61994 then continued north to Scotland

 

Not sure where they'd set out from, but this was Braunton, Tornado and Britannia heading for the October 2013 Mid-Hants Steam Gala as a tender first main line triple header. Great fun to watch!

 

Think this was new for last season on the Jacobite's. Not done by BR but makes sense for the Jacobite as it at least gives the general public a slightly more interesting view given that the locos are tender first 50% of the time. 45407 also has an 'interesting' whistle.......

 

Returning to the present day, here is an interesting move tomorrow:- https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U54571/2023-03-17/detailed. Rumoured to be 44932 running tender fist (see the Bluebell Railway thread) Quite a curious move as the Bluebell is currently not operating passenger services north of Horsted Keynes as some track panels at Vaux End are due to be replaced to allow four-wheeled stock to operate the full length of the line. Is this working returning the Bulleid coaches to the railway after the filming job? Also, I haven't been able to find a return working back to Southall for 44932. All most intriguing.

 

Started at Southall, seen here at Hanwell and Wandsworth Town October 22 2013. By chance 45231 also went from Southall to the Bluebell shortly after this move on that day.