LE movements, ECS and test runs 2024

Looks like 44871 went main line from Rugby to Roade today due to flooding at Northampton, Glad I didn't go to Long Buckby this morning to see it.

 

Northampton has a population of 250.000 and strong RCTS membership, tour operators would be foolish not to go that way. You might have a long time to wait.

 

Working on it…

 

Or be lucky and be on one when some other train fails on the loop.

 

Your comment about Watford and Northampton is of course what happens on a CME. Did not London Midland as it was then have to upgrade the 350's for greater speed to allow them to go direct? I guess a 75 or even 60mph path for steam is almost non existent, other than a Euston departure around 05:15

 

Connecting trains are acceptable ( not ideal for me)if the trains run to time . I myself like to get on the main train and know what ever happens l will get there and back with not to much hassle.There is nothing worse than a late running train and missing connections on a cold winters night and having a long wait.Once on a SLOA trip I even had to use a rail replacement bus , getting back to Rugby 4 hrs late.The last train from Crewe to London before the shutdown,( what most of the tour participants were put on), didn't stop at Rugby ,B R refused to put a stop order on for Rugby although there were a number of passengers needing there and Northampton. What do you call silly o clock,last Saturdays train to Chester left Euston ten to seven.?

 

45407 currently en route Carnforth - Edinburgh Joppa with 47802 and 47826 and the Polar Express ECS.

 

I guess the main reason that charters are sent via the loop is to keep the main line free for scheduled trains. Dont forget, Northampton did not want the railway initially. Thats why it was built via Blisworth, to avoid Northampton, until they realised the folly of that decision.

 

T'was a shade nippy out today as Ian Riley's class 5 works the ECS 5Z49 over Docker Viaduct towards Grayrigg and onwards to Edinburgh Joppa (diesel removed in PS) with Mick Kelly driving and Cameron Overend on the shovel

 

47802 + 45407 The Lancashire Fusilier tnt 47826 seen from just below Shap Summit.

 

To a degree, true. Under the very high frequency timetable pre-Covid, you saw about 9 trains per hour (tph) between Hanslope Jn and Hilmorton Jn timed at 125mph. Now you see 8-10 tph timed at 110mph - 125mph. Now try pathing steam timed at 60 - 75mph along that route.

I believe I’ve found a path, and have requested it as part of a specification. But it’s now down to the TOC and NR to confirm, and more importantly be willing to approve. If we present ourselves late, there isn’t space for another hour…

 

Thank you for sharing Nige757, good to watch.
I did notice one of the newly acquired carriages ? - next to back which hopefully we can get on next years GB.

Also I didn't realise what a big multi timetabled event that is at 3 locations in the UK by the PNP event company.

 

That's just the mainline ones - if you include all the preserved lines then it's 14 locations! London, Birmingham and Edinburgh as mainline operations, plus South Devon, Spa Valley, Swanage, Mid Norfolk, Embsay, Wensleydale, Seaton(!), Churnet Valley, Caledonian, Telford and VoR.

 

With stopping services calling at Northampton and Long Buckby, and pretty well all freight going that way, pathing a railtour that way must be much easier, even one with diesel or electric traction allowed 90 or 100 mph.

 

Better still, if the Great Central mainline and the Derby - Manchester line had remained and been extended with shortish links to each other and to Birmingham...

 

Looks intriguing, private trip perhaps ?

Monday -- Crewe to Southall @ 75mph--
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U32890/2024-12-02/detailed
Tuesday -- to Canterbury and back @ 60mph
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...3/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt&toc=LS
Wednesday -- back to Crewe @ 75mph --
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U32895/2024-12-04/detailed

 

I have a feeling it’s 46100’s last outing.

I believe diesel on the ECS legs with steam inside.