Steam Dreams 2023

Yes, 70000 on the front and sounding good at St Mary Cray junction.

Regards,

Dan

 

Personally could not see the ORR agreeing to something like that. Plus to me there seems to be a wish that charter passengers remain in their seats for as much of the trip as is physically possible (personal needs excepted).

 

Yes, we did the NZ route as well! The creative public-facing thinkers all jumped ship with privatisation.

 

If New Zealand can allow it, why not here? Is it unsafe? I can't see how. Why would it be a specific requirement for people to remain seated in these circumstances (as opposed to hogging a door in a Mk1)? Mind you, as a railway photographer - please no, but as a landscape photographer - yes, please!!

 

Assuming 70000 is running today, it looks like the dreaded watering delays have struck again at Paddock Wood - 17 minutes late leaving there after a 2L arrival.

 

Britannia on todays GOE circular, seen at South Darenth and Knockholt:

 

The Garden of England Lunchtime Tour, 70000 Britannia, 8th August 2023.
Filmed at Westenhanger and Denton Green:

 

Tonight’s crew with 70000 ahead of the run over the Surrey Hills

 

What has happened to 61306?

 

My assumption is it’s backup at Southall whilst 70000 takes the reigns of the Steam Dreams work, 61306 isn’t due out until September 10th (unless it acts as cover for 70000 in any event the latter fails)

 

Popped out this evening for the Sunset (Sunset? no chance it was a filthy evening) Steam Express. I knew the GBRF gravel train was due through similar time, delighted to see it rocked up led by a 69 008, complete with its cute DMU whiskers.



There is a Britannia in the mix.......

 

Nice mix of old and new. It does make me wonder why the freight had to be brought to a stand before the road was cleared - to green - rather than being set up in good time and being able to pass through. Hey-ho - it worked out well for you!

 

Nice, I must have spoken to you up on the bridge at South Darenth.


In the rain at Hildenborough.

 

Indeed you did. Lovely shots David.

 

May be an approach signal, clears the signal as you approach it normally for diverging routes with a lower speed limit (as the white feather shows it was coming off at Byfleet jn)

 

I don't believe it is as I'm sure I've seen it cleared for through Chertsey trains before. An approach signal should only slow, not stop, trains anyway.

 

Having rewatched the video you are right it does seem to clear after it has stopped so I assume it was just the signaller being delayed in his response

 

Britannia on todays Garden of England circular in stunning sunshine, seen at Bickley, Selling, the Dover seawall and Dunton Green:

 

My shots of 70000 Britannia around on the Garden Of England Tour and the Sunset Steam Express, filmed at Gillingham, Hildenborough, Chelsea Bridge, Clapham Junction and Worplesdon