Steam Dreams 2023

Britannia at Samphire Hoe, 15/08/2023

 

Not certain, nothing ahead of the Western Docks to Tonbridge West Yard Gypsum train on the line via Chertsey.
The only other thing is the last Woking signal is on the Byfleet curve before entering Feltham / Basingstoke ROC control.

Whatever a nice film of 70000.

Cheers, Neil

 

An unplanned visit to Newington station, thanks to being stuck in traffic on the M25.


Then back on the plan of heading to the white cliffs once again.

 

From this Tuesday. An extract from my compilation of the 2023 season's SSEs.

 

70000 Britannia seen on 3 workings of the Sunset Steam Express at 9 locations during July and August

 

A quick query - can anyone tell me if 70000 has a speed restriction through West Byfleet platform, please?

 

Cannot find a return on any loco being restricted at West Byfleet

 

35018 was through at a steam-only 5 or 10mph a few years back. Things may have changed but I just wondered.

 

The Garden of England Lunchtime Tour, 70000 Britannia, 22nd August 2023.
Filmed at Hildenborough.

 

Five shots of Britannia on todays Garden of England, seen at Beckenham Hill, Selling, Bekesbourne, Sandling and Knockholt:

 

The SSE left Cherstey 15 late for some reason and regained much that, but seems to have been stopped near or at Chilworth for over half an hour now. Level crossing failure, perhaps? Looking bad as the following Reading to Gatwick service train has now reversed at Shalford. Hope it's not a failure of the SSE itself. Edit - NRE now talking of a broken down train. The SSE is the only one on the line - oh dear!

 

We’re currently onboard and stuck. Mention of a mechanical problem with one of the pistons (message from the onboard Stewards).

Edited: originally Stewards said left side piston, now updated to be the right hand side.

 

Doesn't sound good. Turning around potentially?

 

Been informed Britannia has failed. Faulty part being removed and will return via Guidiford under diesel power. A shame but non the less the LSL/SD staff onboard have been absolutely spot on and kept us up to date every step of the way. Drinks have been offered whilst we sit and wait and we are being looked after to the max. Top job all round.

 

From earlier today, passing Swanley Village and then seen from the footbridge near Capel-le-Ferne.

 

Still at Chilworth - what a terrible thing to befall the SSE. Oddly enough I went to Worplesdon tonight to film it and it was going very well there. Only owing to the darker evenings did I not go to somewhere on the NDL! Hope all get home OK once it gets underway.

 

Several people on here do slate LSL somewhat but…

Jeremy Hosking himself has just walked through this train. He’s stopped at every table. He’s spoken to every guest. He’s ensured everyone is ok. He’s told us what’s happened. He’s removed the bar bills from the tables. He’s told us anything we want is on the house. Absolute service and from the top man himself.

10/10

 

I think it might of set back some time ago, earlier on I was looking on open train maps when it hadn’t updated for half hour or so and there was a move from Chilworth using the cross over at Shalford and heading back to Guildford. These things tend to not show on Real Time Trains etc. Or maybe that was on oddity showing up on the maps! Perhaps it was looking at it further as the next Redhill train is still at Guildford.

 

That was probably the Gatwick train. Still showing on Traksy in the same place with a block on the other line, could be to allow the support crew to take down the motion on the left side.