LE movements, ECS and test runs 2024

According to this article, 44871 will be at Crewe Heritage Centre this weekend:

https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2024/07/steam-locomotive-1054-to-join-44871-to-celebrate-crewe-day.html

Having said that, there's nothing on the CHC website about it.

 

@Gladiator 5076 will probably know a lot better than me, but from the web cam, it looks like 44871's support coach is still at Swanage, so the loco is likely to be there too?

Bryan B

 

Yes the loco is attached to the support coach, so out of view of the webcam.
A Thursday path has appeared since 18:00

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U18026/2024-07-04/detailed

 

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U18289/2024-07-03/detailed

Timings for 45596 'Bahamas' from Worth Valley to Peak Rail overnight Wed/Thurs

 

44871 Swanage to Crewe
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U18026/2024-07-04/detailed

 

Believe this is the move for Thursday: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U18026/2024-07-04/detailed
Tender-first to Southampton Up Goods Loop then run-round support coach before running chimney-first via Millbrook, Romsey, Salisbury, etc.
Loco currently in light steam keeping it warm ready for the trip to Crewe - and providing steam heat for the support coach if needed I suppose.

 

Class 47 Southall to Swanage at present to retrieve the errant Black '5'. <BJ>

Realtime Trains | 0Z47 1004 Southall Wcr to Swanage | 03/07/2024

 

Guess NR not prepared to even have an engine and coach move on its own at the moment.

Rained for about an hour this morning which is now all evaporating in the sunshine.

 

44871, having used the main platform and loop to run round its support coach is now over the inspection it (ash dropping area too?), and at the correct end for being pulled by the diesel when that arrives. Meaning the support coach will be in the middle before the run round by the diesel at/near Southampton.

Bryan B

 

In RTT :-
for tomorrow - Railway Herald has this as a test for 45118
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:C03773/2024-07-04/detailed

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:C03774/2024-07-04/detailed

and Friday Crewe to Bristol

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U17047/2024-07-05/detailed

 

Good to see a sensible limited speed from Swanage. ''Starts planned at 75mph max''



Photo c/o John Riding. <BJ>

 

An image from slightly earlier of the ensemble approaching Afflington Bridge. at the start of the 11.5 hour journey to Crewe.
47812 for anyone interested in such things.
Hope the Black 5 enjoyed its enforced week at the seaside.
I too had noticed the apparent ever more random RTT (hence I assume NR timings). I can only assume with such a light load all to do with acceleration away from stops.

 

Peak performance !
Back on the main line, with 10 coaches of the Statesman set as a loaded test 45118 (built in 1962 at Crewe as D67).
County Lane Albrighton.

 

We saw it passing Brockenhurst at a good 60 mph one minute late. Having stood on the down platform for half an hour with the sun out it went in just as the train appeared!

 

60007 Crewe to Bishops Lydeard. On time approaching Wrexham. <BJ>
5Z46 08:25 Crewe to SPM https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U17047/2024-07-05/detailed#allox_id=0
5Z47 17:37 SPM to Bishops Lydeard https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U17048/2024-07-05/detailed

 

The A4 at Stokesay at lunchtime today, the hope is always to find that Network Rail are maintaining the trackside vegetation but frustrating to find them doing it just where you'd planned to be !
60007 left Craven Arms 28 minutes down largely I suspect due to a late running TfW Manchester to Carmarthen service (49 late at Craven Arms) - not a train to have been on as RTT reports it cancelled due to trespass after Newport - and not a steam engine on the network for miles !

 

Clan line - if you cant beat'em join em.
That sure is one posh support coach...

 

It hasn't got a kitchen though. I don't know how the support crew will survive without being able to make endless pots of tea!

 

60007 Sir Nigel Gresley in very heavy rain near Cogload Junction en route to Bishops Lydeard

 

Mercator does have a kitchen to produce cooked meals for the support crew when 35028 is working tours. Not certain about the LSL support coaches apart from 35317 which did have a kitchen fitted for work with 850 many years ago.

Cheers, Neil