Saphos 2024

Oh no - my eyes!!! Just wondering - was this 'shopped? The second tender looks a bit too pixellated, but I may be wrong.

 

Nope, it was very much real:

 

Fair point Al, but if you go out in your car how many people will you have to compensate if you delay them? Do you have to sign for individual routes and car types? ‘Can’t take this Ford down the A14 mate, I only sign for Vauxhall’

 

While we all would like to see steam solo, it isn't practical for more and more runs these days. Of course, if your car breaks down, it is almost always possible to move it quickly out of the way of traffic, or at least not block the road completely and close the route. If a train fails, the route is immediately blocked in one or both directions. The onus is on heritage traction main line operators to ensure a reasonable chance of completing the journey without a hitch, just as it is on service TOCs, and both have to pay penalties if they do. On top of all this, sometimes the diesel is needed for shunting en route and locos may not be available to so at those locations (and for on-train hotel services).

 

At the risk of starting up the whole "diesel on the back" debate remember it is not just there for insurance against a failure. It's also providing power for heating and aircon. It's also going to assist the steam loco on certain parts of the route whether we like it or not. On the "Golden Arrow" route there is Bearstead Bank to negotiate followed by Martin Mill Bank later in the day. The Saphos rake is nearly always 12 coaches - can a Scot handle that up those gradient unassisted? I remember Saphos' first attempt at the Golden Arrow - Britiannia came to a grinding halt on Bearstead. I don't think they've run without a diesel since.

I've come to the sad conclusion that if I want mainline steam these days it's going to be assisted. I can't think where to find unassisted steam at the moment given that WCRC are running with aircon Mark 2s.

 

Bristol-Plymouth-Paddington with Vintage on May 10/11 is probably your best bet. Looks like one seat left in Standard.

 

Photos of the outward leg of the Golden Arrow in Kent from Tuesday. I am guessing same locomotive tomorrow(?) but a different route going via Redhill and Tonbridge to reach Ashford.
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U02301/2024-03-30/detailed


Racing up Hollingbourne Bank.


Passing a foot crossing on departure from Lenham Loop.

 

Think there may need to be a change of plan with today's run

https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service-disruptions/edenbridge-20240329/

What I would assume is the area of concern certainly felt very wobbly at 20mph yesterday morning

Andrew

 

Everything Eastbound terminating short at Edenbridge.

Signalling fault at Olympia until 1100hrs may be a nuisance as well

 

Yeah one line open on NNL and small landslip near Edenbridge line now shut for a while… Expect to go via Factory Jn - Bromley South - Sevenoaks either via Orpington/Swanley - Tonbridge back onto correct path.

 

Streatham Hill and Birkbeck to Beckenham Jn now?

 

Looking on Traksy, 1z46 has got to Petts Wood and so will be making taking that line down to Tonbridge.

 

It was making a lovely sound approaching Bickley, don't think the 47 was contributing much.

Only dropped 7 minutes on schedule by the time it regained it's route at Tonbridge.

Regards,

Dan

 

Not one of my better shots as no room to use tripod, but conveys a magnificent sight on Martin Mill Bank, Diesel was doing very little.

Still from the video.

 

The Golden Arrow, 46100 Royal Scot, 30th March 2024.
Filmed at Deal:

 

Good to see they have not used the Golden Arrow headboard that just looks ridiculous on a Scot.

 

I think that’s the way it went but is it gauged for a Scot?

 

46100 heading through Wandsworth Common, Chartham, Sturry and Hildenborough:

 

Bit late to the party but a few shots from Saturday, more at https://railwaygalleries.smugmug.com/MainlineSteam/Steam-Tours-in-2024

First is West Brompton, second is Folkestone West and third is Tonbridge.

 

Another one of those "short" days that Saphos seem so keen on. 05:53 off Poole back at 00:18 (20 late). It was even a 14 hour day from Basingstoke!
Even at those times pathed into Wallers Ash Loop both ways and had a pick up/ drop off at amongst many others Micheldever. When was the last time a railtour had that as a pick up? Strange with all the pickups they offered nothing after Reading, when of course the main event is the steam part.
We do not do local papers but no idea how this was advertised locally as I was not even aware it was running.