LE movements, ECS and test runs 2024

Chairman's train is the stock I understand.

 

46100 Royal Scot on the move to Southall this morning
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U32890/2024-12-02/detailed#allox_id=0

 

46100, load 8 (chairman’s train), 57002

 

Getting up this morning I did wonder whether to bother with this working given the early start needed. Some overnight drizzle was still with us but I had a niggling feeling that fewer LSL ecs workings are piloted than those that aren't, and RTT already said 'worked by 46100'.
The failure to leave Crewe on time raised some doubts but nothing else was planned this morning. Eventually the train started it's journey and the light was improving with the sun even trying to appear as the Scot passed with the Chairman's train between Colwich and Rugeley.



Some locals were out to keep me company.

 

If I had known the diesel wasn't on the front I might have turned out to see this through Headstone Lane. Ah well, never mind.

 

Look out for what seems to be the return to Crewe on Wednesday
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U32895/2024-12-04/detailed

 

Last run for 46100 for a while I think. Mr H giving her one last spin before her ticket is up.

 

Is 46100 likely to lead the ECS back tomorrow does anyone know?

 

Yesterday morning the RTT schedule said 'worked by 46100' & didn't mention the diesel at the rear, I'd look there.

 

If anyone cares, the outing today is the Christmas Do for Hosking Partners LLP (his investment company). I'm on the Midland Pullman at the moment and asked the staff what it was about.

 

'Royal Scot' powering through Apsley with the return 'Chairman's Train' ECS to Crewe from Southall today. The previous stopping service and subsquent Tesco freight train having just cleared and signal turned to green..


https://www.flickr.com/photos/alts1985/54182093207/in/dateposted-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/alts1985/54182093247/in/dateposted-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/alts1985/54183250998/in/dateposted-public/

 

If this three day outing has been 46100's swansong then this afternoons brisk run up the WCML marked the end of an era in fine style. A five minute early departure from Rugby had grown to 18 mins by Rugeley Trent Valley with the pathing stop at Brinklow being missed out, and that grew to 21 minutes ( RTT ) by Colwich.
Adorned with the Irish Mail headboard and a Nottingham (16A) shed plate (1959 to withdrawal in 1962) the passage through Rugeley on this dank late afternoon was a spectacle worth seeing. Sadly a still can't record the noise !. Perhaps someone else was there and can share a video.

edit :- forgot to add that when I returned to my car I notice the mileage read exactly 71000 - end of one era and the start of another ???

 

46100 heading back to Crewe, going full pelt through Tamworth just ahead of sunset. Nice surprise with The Irish Mail headboard too!

 

Possible steam movement to York 20/12/24 for Edinburgh Christmas Market train on 21/12/2024:
Realtime Trains | 5Z58 1130 Carnforth Steamtown to York Holgate Siding (Flhh) | 20/12/2024
Realtime Trains | 5Z59 1741 York Holgate Siding (Flhh) to York N.R.M. | 20/12/2024

 

ECS back from York on 22/12/24:
Realtime Trains | 5Z57 1057 York N.R.M. to York Holgate Siding (Flhh) | 22/12/2024
Realtime Trains | 5Z58 1214 York Holgate Siding (Flhh) to Carnforth Steamtown | 22/12/2024

 

Suspect that’ll be diesel.

44871 hauls the York Yuletide on the 18th outbound only. Seems to then stay at York.

 

Hang on is 44871 not still needed in London on the 20th-23rd with the Polar Express?

 

Well in that case not sure what’s going to haul the Edinburgh job!

45407 is in Edinburgh, comes back Xmas Eve.
45212 at Wensleydale, goes to NY Eve.

44871…Booked for the Xmas White Rose on the 18th December to York, diesel on the whole return…..So one could only deduce from that it was going to stay for the Edinburgh job…..

 

Looks like the Edinburgh is steam hauled both ways. There's also a 60mph move from Holgate sidings to Carnforth the following day, which would make sense if 44871 is going along. No steam for Polar Expresses for the last few days?

 

I noticed some moves from Orton Mere (NVR) on Thursday, which I assume are to do with 60007?

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U36943/2024-12-12/detailed

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U36944/2024-12-12/detailed