RTC 2025

Nice sequences as usual. From the 03.50 onwards sequence, it looks like when coaling 34028 and the diesel for their day's work, Eddystone got all the decent stuff and the box was left with the dregs.

Bryan

 

Heading south on Saturday for a Christmas meet up with family gave us an opportunity to split our journey catch both the railtours running on the GWML that day. 'Eddystone' is seen powering away from the Slough passenger pick up through Langley Saturday morning...

 

Four photos of Eddystone at Langley Saturday morning…
https://flic.kr/p/2rKuTyu

 

A couple of attempts at Western Jn & Goodhews Crossing half way up Bobbing Bank before and after using the Sittingbourne triangle. Hopefully Eddystone will be a frequent visitor going forward, having missed the first tour and been a little unlucky with the sun on this occasion.

 

i was at York today 10th Dec to see Tornado, and a rumour was flying around that Eddystone will be doing the York trip next Wednesday any truth?

Thanks

 

Just out of interest how busy was the train?

 

I rather doubt it, it's booked to come off the Bath and Bristol trip this Saturday at Salisbury and head back to the Swanage Railway. 44871 is currently rostered for the York trip on RTC website. But there's a chance plans have changed.

 

To be honest I couldn’t say I was on the opposite platform so didn’t see how many people got off it

 

Anyone know why the edinburgh Xmas market trip for the 20 December 2025 has been rerouted via carlisle after a reversal from newcastle over the gateshead triangle? I see that on The E.C.M.L. north of Newcastle via Berwick is not closed for engineering works as service trains L.N.E.R. T.P.E. all are running. Is it operational reasons to get the steam loco traction back to carnforth is it quicker for convenience for W.C.R.? Its only steam on and off at carlisle to Edinburgh thus effectively only giving passengers 156 miles of steam 76 via Beattock and carstairs each way respectively.

 

With the lighting and angle you took the first shot from, I could almost think 34028 was hauling a parcels train!

Bryan

 

RTC update re 20th Dec tour York to Edinburgh

Steam now from Carlisle to Edinburgh and return only not from York


The Edinburgh Christmas Market 20/12/25: Route Update

Step aboard on Saturday 20th December for a festive rail adventure from York, Durham, Newcastle AND NOW Carlisle!

Due to operational changes, the trip will depart York diesel-hauled, calling at Durham and Newcastle, then via Hexham to Carlisle, where our steam engine Tangmere joins for the scenic run to Edinburgh.

Arrival at Edinburgh Waverley is around 1pm, giving 3 hours to enjoy the Christmas Market, shops, restaurants, and festive fun!
Book your tickets - https://bit.ly/4q0q1j7

 

Given the unusual nature of having 3 steam locos (61306/71000 on today's Saphos trip and 34028 on tomorrow's RTC trip) visiting Haywards Heath within 14 hours, I've decided to head out to see 34028 tomorrow morning, so I can finally see her on the mainline.

 

Less than 12 hours after the double headed exploits of 61306 and 71000 last night, it was 34028's turn to visit Haywards Heath. Came in on Platform 2 today, rather than the usual Platform 1 that stopping steam tours use. The second was a screenshot from a video I took of the departure.

 

Left Fareham early ahead of the London train, that of course meant that the London train was stuck behind 34028 and was delayed 20 minutes while 34028 took water at Hedge End. The steam should have been held at Farlington Jct or Fareham N Jct. No doubt steam will be blame for a major signalling error. Very sunny so not the best of shots from the bridge before Botley as sun wrong side

 

Having looked on RTT, I can't see any service train having been delayed by 34028 around Fareham/Hedge End.

 

RTT shows 34028 arrived at it's booked stop at Hedge End almost 7 minutes early and departed over 5 minutes early so not sure which scheduled service might have been delayed in those circumstances.
Eddystone currently awaiting it's booked path over Bathampton Junction to follow 1C14 Paddington - Weston-Super-Mare [currently around 2 minutes late].
EDIT
Looks like it's also having to await the passage of GW's 1C52 as well

 

That SWR train appears to have been scheduled to leave Hedge End before 34028 arrived.
I would be more than somewhat surprised if a signaller held up the scheduled service for around 20 minutes so that the excursion could cross over to the Up line to water - especially as '28 was running early.
Its a shame that RTT has no times for the SWR service at Hedge End. Might it have been held up at Eastleigh awaiting for Platform 2 to become available?

 

Everyday Occurrence? Warminster December 2025.