Steam Dreams 2024

Yesterday's tour at various locations along the ECML including the ECS move the day before at Cheddington:

 

My nostalgia moment. (see Flickr description)
Rain pouring down unfortunately.

"Sir Nigel Gresley", 02/03/24.

Better weather later in the day for the return at Great Heck.

"Sir Nigel Gresley", 02/03/24.

 

60007 Sir Nigel Gresley makes its debut in BR Express Passenger Blue livery on the East Coast Mainline on its voyage from London to York and return, seen at 7 locations on its journey back on home turf

 

Here are some of the photos I took yesterday at Huntingdon (where I joined the train) and York:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/200104535@N06/albums/72177720315217449/

 

60007 working hard through the usual crowd at Welwyn North on the outward leg getting away from the Welwyn Garden City pick up, then charging through Brookmans Park on the fast line on the return. Was due to be switched to the fast after the Welwyn Garden City set down but held on the slow until Marshmoor Crossover to let an Azuma by, made for a lovely sight as she came through, just me and one other on the station to witness it. My video...

 

Two from Welwyn North yesterday...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/alts1985/53564614222/in/dateposted-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/alts1985/53565786489/in/dateposted-public/

 

Sunset Steam express trips announced. Further down the email confirms the traction as 70000 'Britannia'. Right in line with it's test runs today!

"What better choice to lead one of our most popular tours than the esteemed '70000 Britannia'? This iconic steam engine holds a significant place in British railway history, as the inaugural member of the "Britannia" class built for British Railways in 1951."

 

Nice. Is the Great Heck shot from a drone?

 

The first time I saw SNG in operation on the main line it was with a full rake of crimson and cream behind it (late 90s?), and I think this is the first time I've seen that since then.

 

Thank you, yes it was from a drone, sorry I forgot to mention.

 

Have some further trips been added? Just noticed a trip from Haywards Heath to Oxford in July, diesel hauled from Haywards Heath to somewhere in West London, where 46100 takes over.

 

I would imagine Hanwell loop or Southall for the loco change.

 

I wonder if anyone knows whether the Southend to Bluebell Railway trip on 9 April has been cancelled, or has it just been removed from the SD site because it's fully-booked?

 

Rumoured to be cancelled due to low bookings.

Cheers. Neil

 

Very unfortunate

 

Not surprising as the steam leg from Southend was going to be diesel. I spoke to Steam Dreams ;ast week and they said there is to be no more steam tours starting off steam hauled from Southend on the old LTS.... very sad.

CL

 

Thanks for confirming my suspicions. Steam in the south-east is gettting rarer.

 

I wonder how many people didn’t book because of the loss of the Southend-Hanwell steam section, the return legs of Southend tours have always swapped steam for diesel in London I believe. Would imagine it’s more destination surely and/or that when I last looked they were charging £15 per person for a bus trip from Sheffield Park station to the National Trust property a journey of 1 mile.

 

Yes unless you are into railways or are happy coughing up that extra £15 not exactly a destination for the average traveller.