9th July Cathedrals Express to Swanage

I wonder of the steam crews are told beforehand about particularly high fire risk areas and ease occordingly?.

...Or 30777 just out of puff by then!

Whatever, not at present an ideal situation for steam operation in many areas of the country.

 

Both trains seen by my elder brother at Worting Junctin and both working without box help.

So taken along with the reports so far here on Nat Pres it seems both trains are getting box help, but not, (so far, and with all fingers crossed), anywhere near the levels we saw on those dreadful video clips of 5029 and 30777 a week or more ago. I just hope for all on board and for those involved in running the trips today that the mix continues all day with no lineside fires anywhere.

Mixed use of box and steam is an unsatisafactory state of affairs for us 100% steam guys, (for instance, the timing logs mean absolutely nothing). But hopefully will keep enough of those on board happy today and allow Tour Promoters etc to keep running trips until the rains come.

But I'm just gonna have to keep kicking my heels for a while yet, until pure steam returns. LOL!

 

Went through Wareham on Time. Back in Dorchester now to see 46115...

 

30777 leaving Woking this morning on time, working harder than the 47 behind at that point...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/alts1985/4776784945/

Video to follow.

 

Here's my video of both trains, and both kettles putting in a reasonable shift it seemed to me.

First spot is between Egham and Virginia Water with 30777 still pulling, though I heard it let off steam not long after it passed us. Second spot is for the arrivals and departures from Winchfield water stop.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkD6iP2Epuw

 

Return Cathedrals express top of Parkstone bank at 1736 with 47 leading doing most of the work and 30777 tender first behind the 47 doing a little bit and whistling to the crowds DH

 

I guess that means 30777 + Box will head the train back from Soton UGL. Which I presume makes it easier for the box to help? And with that combined load the Arthur will certainly need help up Porton bank, and possibly up Enham Bank as well, (the climb from Andover to MP 62½). Be nice if the box is switched off at Basingstoke so the Arthur can take the whole load to Woking unassisted.

 

Through Virginia Water this morning

http://simon71.fotopic.net/c1869919.html

 

Looks like it was pointless 30777 being there with the box captured doing most of the work. Not a bad location though simon.

 

Thanks, it s a good location but I go there a bit late and there must have been half a dozen or more at the bridge hence why its a bit too head on for my taste but good to see two steam engines within 20 minutes of each other.

 

Some kettles at Putney and Barnes this morning.....
http://50031.fotopic.net/p65847819.html

 

Video from 30777 at Woking at 1min 23 sec (46115 is in the first part)...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asmPr0G3tRE