LE movements, ECS and test runs 2023

Sorry to disappoint you but in 2023 you cannot do this York - Edinburgh trip without it being top and tailed as there is no other way of shunting/turning at Edinburgh during the day. Besides at this time of year it is quite handy to have some heat in the train.

Peter

 

Sorry to disappoint you but you haven’t dissapointed me!

Funny that about heat, you’d almost think I’d know working on the railways! But I forget only you know everything!

 

While it'll be more likely to have a diesel to aid with keeping timings on the ECML too, in theory there is nothing to stop steam going solo to Edinburgh and a diesel then attaching to the rear within Waverley due to available permissive working.

There's even a Class 47 sat on the pit road at Joppa which could be used (currently the spare locomotive for the Polar Express workings).

Just very unlikely....

 

While you are correct in theory we cannot get the dwell time in Waverley during the day to add or detach a loco - it is just too busy. I cannot remember the last time I worked a train into Waverley from the south - steam or diesel hauled - that was not top and tailed.

Peter

 

I'm not sure what I've said to elicit such a response but I didn't intend to ruffle any feathers. I apologise if I have caused offence in any way.

Peter

 

On 3/3/19 the Auld Reekie was worked from Doncaster and Leeds to Edinburgh by 60163, returning with D9009 which suffered the disastrous flashover. It arrived in p20 and departed p8. D9009 ran up LE and dropped on the back to take the train out to Millerhill.

 

When you have spare resources (like locos and crew) available, anything is easier. Also, if it's a regular activity, then the knowledge and resources are more readily available.

When something becomes rarer, like changing locos in a busy station or watering a steam loco on a rail tour, it becomes a very different operation.

We've moved on.

 

Just a word to acknowledge and congratulate the hard work and dedication from West Coast staff to fix the problem and ensure this trip goes ahead. Looks like a long day yesterday for all concerned, I imagine they all slept well last night.

 

I was a tad tired last night, perhaps my response could have been worded slightly better. My apologies in return

 

Three phone pics from Friday afternoon at Hellifield.



10 minutes after its scheduled departure time 5Z51 sits in the loop and waits . . . and waits . . . and waits . . . . .




Directly behind Scots Guardsman, 47.245 "idles" away (the time)




Meanwhile, back in the naughty corner sits a silent 47.804. A few minutes later a couple of 10A's finest arrived to nurse the 47 back to life.

The train eventually departed (with both 47s) almost SIX hours late. Well done to all at WCRC for getting the show back on the road. By the time the train left I imagine that new objects for "I Spy" were becoming difficult to find.

The following day the train ran from York to Edinburgh (return) and everyone lived happily ever after (apart from the diesel-haters that is).

 

Brilliant! I remember buying that LP, a comic genius only ever matched imo by Robin Williams.
"Toothbrush Holesmanship"

 

If you like that one look up "A drop of the hard stuff"....another great Sellars record.

 

LSL home for Christmas ?

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U91910/2023-12-22/detailed

 

In the words of Chris Rea also "Heading Home For Christmas" is 46115 with the empty coaching stock from the Edinburgh Xmas Market trip.

A pretty cold, windy and dull December day but what the hell.

ere, I've been photo bombed!



"Scots Guardsman", 17/12/23.

 

45407 returning to Bury. Possibly 44871 too after Keighley.
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U91913/2023-12-31/detailed
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U91914/2023-12-31/detailed
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U91915/2023-12-31/detailed

 

Deleted

 

47.810 + 45231 + stock. [BJ]

 

47810+45231 pause at Stafford on their way home for Christmas.