60007: The London Christmas Express 28/11/09

Probably about 5 minutes down at Welham Green, south of Hatfield.

http://www.penguin-web-solutions.co.uk/images/60007_Welham-Green_28-11-09_5847.jpg

Going well on the up fast - and the sun shone ½ minute afterwards - naturally!

 

2 shots of the A4 now up at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETUH4h0i98E

Going very well.

 

Well I stand corrected.Well done to everyone who fixed the generator car for todays train.Lets hope we see more of this BG during the heating season,especially if the ECML or WCML are being used.
A very happy Palace Gates.

 

"Sir Nige" is certainly batting on in both these clips, thanks for the links.

 

Seen at Hadley Wood earlier today:

 

60007 was on excellent form today. The schedule Newcastle to York was always optimistic and with heavy mist and fog from Newcastle to York care was needed when accelerating. In the circumstances Chris Cubbit’s handling of the Loco on the difficult departure from Durham was superb, one small slip, which was quickly caught, and power reapplied. It was no surprise however that we were 10 down arriving at York and 12 down departing as we had to wait for a Leeds train as watering could not be completed in the shorten time.

But now No.7 really flew, excellent running to Doncaster and although we didn’t stop we were heavily checked to allow a Leeds service to overtake. On to Retford ,again in fine style.

We were late away from Retford as well which meant we were looped at Claypole. This worked in our favour as 60007 accelerated away hard and we touched 75 mph as we roared through Grantham, but the stop had just taken the shine off the fire and speed dropped to a still very creditable 65 mph into Stoke tunnel. The Claypole stop meant we were given the fast down Stoke in stead of the booked slow line. Once again 60007 made good use of it and it was only the severer bridge restriction at Peterborough that robbed us of an ‘even-time’ section, tantalisingly close at 59.8 mph start to stop average.

The path was now on the slow but at Woolmer Green Junction we were given the fast which we retained all the way to Holloway South Junc. This mean we rolled into Kings Cross almost 21 minutes early! OK the schedule from Connington was ridiculously easy but a fitting end to an excellent performance from No.7.

With 60007 on this kind of form I look forward to the upcoming runs. Thanks to all.

 

No 7
Thanks for your report.One question please.Was there any change of crew on route to London.Thanks in advance.
Thanks also to Spindizzy and Alberta (that Jub) for the clips of 7 going like smoke with no Box!

 

Yes Chris Cubbit Newcastle - Doncaster and David Blair Doncaster to Kx. Pete Hanson firing throughout.

 

I can only take the credit for the link, not my film unfortunately.

 

only managed one shot as it was so early it caught us out with the underground playing silly bolloxs, anyways as it was being towed out the station :

http://www.flickr.com/photos/matthewtomsphotography/4141530162/

and one with a cheeky but ultimatly rubbish edit to take out the lamp lol:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/matthewtomsphotography/4140772907/in/photostream/

 

No7
Thanks for your reply.Very greaful.

 

From what i'm reading there have been some 'issues' tonight? People on buses?

 

Return was terminated at Peterborough due to brake problems with 47851.

Coaches forward to Newcastle.

Full report to follow.

 

Thats not very good.For RTC it is the second time recently.

 

Well finally got home at 3.30 this morning.

Had a fantastic run with 60007 to London, her performance was a credit to those who look after and maintain her to mainline standards. A chap in the coach had gps and we saw 79mph, at one stage.

The return trip was a different matter altogether.

Departure was on time, but we only managed to make it into gasworks tunnel before a heavy brake application brought us to a halt.

Around us looking out of the tunnel entrances, traffic was moving freely, both northbound and Southbound, however our tunnel was out of operation, probably due to train crew being lineside, trying to resolve the problem.

After spending nearly an hour in the tunnel, we moved away again, and made it to within a mile of Alexandra Palace when the same heavy brake application happened.

Again the traincrew tried to resolve the situation, but to no avail this time, in the end the loco on the rear was ran around, connections made and away we went, probably 2 hours down.

During our time stationary various East Coast, local, and even a Grand Central service all passed, using the platform slow road to pass us.

Rumour on board mentioned an engineering possesion at Grantham, then another north of York.

Unfortunately, the train was stopped at Peterborough, and passengers to Darlington, Durham, and Newcastle were told to leave the train, and use the replacement bus service.

Those going to York, were informed that the operators were hoping to continue to York, to allow them to depart there. We left, and i dont know if that happened, looking to the front of the train, a possesion was definately in place, with lights etc.. set up in the running line.

Then had the pleasure of 4 hours on a bus, without any WC facilities, although they were promised by the on-train stewards, we did stop at Wetherby, however the drivers tacho meant this was manditory, got back to durham at 3, home at 3.30am.

I certainly do not blame RTC for the return trip, i let you draw your own conclusions to who provided stock and locos for the trip.. When a 80 year old engine outperforms equipment ran by a mainline operator, says it all really. Our stock had heat on leaving Durham, all of the first and dining did not however, after York, heat disappeared, only to return much later in the run south. On the return our coach had almost no light (buffet car for those on board), however it had plenty of heat. A comment was made earlier this week on a thread as to whether the operator was spread a bit too thinly on the ground with the number of trips that were running, obviously proved to be true.

In hindsight if the tour operators had offered to defer the trip, due to concerns over the stock etc, i would glady have shelved it, to do a job correctly first time should be everybodys prime objective.

For those normal passengers on-board, parents with young families, the elderly, you wonder what they make of this return trip, unnaceptable comes to mind.

 

And thery are most unlikely to make another booking after being treated like that !!!!!

 

What a shame for all involved as the run south seemed to be pretty good. Such a real downer when things go wrong like this......

 

One thing i would question is a reason why the train left KX at 18:55,with the knowledge engineering work was taking place further north? I can only assume there wasn't a path earlier?

 

I think it was originally due to go at 17:55, but times changed to give more time in London.

However you do not expect a 2 hour delay due to equipment failure.

Would not mind knowing what the fine for all of the delays caused was.

 

Anything is possible.