THE SILVER JUBILEE 30/9

Looks like the enemy are taking us on the York-Newcastle-York leg.

For me it adds some historical interest in the trip. Having the two major express locomotive of the 30's haul a train in one day is great.

Now will they replace the valences, repaint and renumber Bittern for the day?

 

Presumably in unlined black and No 19, to match the postwar livery of the interloper?

I'm on it, and looking forward to it already.

Peter from Manchester
http://pjhrailpics.fotopic.net

 

I hope nothing has gone wrong with 60019 as RTC's "White Rose " scheduled for this saturday and due to be hauled by "Bittern" has been postponed at less than 48 hrs notice. The reason given is circumstances beyond the control of RTC!

 

Oh No, is my highlight of the year in trouble, lets hope not.

Anyway the second tender is not part of the locomotive so they can hitch it up behind the Duchess and off we go all the way to Newcastle

 

From what I understand ‘19’ returned from its two runs in the West Country needing some TLC. I think the hope is the work can be completed in time for the 30th but the loco will need a test run / running in before. I am also on the train so fingerscrossed.

 

She sounded a little squeeky on the Mayflower, similar to the Brighton Belle run last year when there was a problem with the middle cylinder. A steward onboard reported that 19 was having work done at Southall the day before the Mayflower, fingers firmly crossed she will be ready.

 

The cancellation of Saturdays White Rose is no great loss.The shedule for this one would have been nearly 5 hours on the outward 4.45 coming back and would have been very boring to say the least.Lets hope for a better schedule next time.

 

What is the matter with you? What about the people who have booked on this, paid good money, maybe hotels booked? Ask them if they think it's "no great loss". I speak from experiencing one of these late cancellations. Return rail travel Leeds to London (booked, no refund) hotel in London (booked and prepaid, no refund). Cancelled railtour that took 8 months for a refund to be made. (Kingfisher). It's a sickener for all the people involved with this (or any) tour when something like this happens. And YOU think "It's no great loss"
You really do have a strange way of thinking palace gates.
.
.
Sorry folks, the topic is The Silver Jubilee, I got sidetracked.

 

Brian,
There is nothing wrong with me except I expect value for money and to pay GBP 80+ just to get on for a five hour trip to York is not value for money.I hope that the schedule for the Coronation is much better than five hours or you won't get back to London before midnight.
Lets also hope that they fix 19 and that the Coronation runs.

 

So you think £80 is not value for money check out the price for a normal service train with out any special offers.

 

The schedule isn't always a guide to how good the run would be anyway. The signallers on the ECML, particularly between Peterborough and York, do seem pretty good at allowing a steam train to run, rather than adhering strictly to the schedule.

 

With respect, all you are thinking about is yourself, It seems as though you didn't book on this tour, neither did I, you are very free to choose what to and what not to do, but to come out with a statement as you did seems to me to be a bit selfish. Have you ever experienced one of these late cancellations? Many people, myself included, and I consider myself to be a railway enthusiast, go on these tours to have a good day out, point to point timing is, to me, of little importance.
Oh, and I think it's safe to say, we all like value for money. We went up to London on The White Rose a few weeks ago, (Scots Guardsman), first class, table for two. We had a wonderful day, money well spent. As has been said the signalling lads on the East Coast do a pretty fair job, very rarely do they get thanked for it.

 

Tickets arrived today, so no indication as present that the trip will be cancelled (or 19 withdrawn).
However, it is very annoying the NR still havent solved the situation with regards to the computer timing system - they are to be sent by Tuesday. So I cannot take advantage of advanced fares and must purchase an expensive ticket on the day.

 

Oh that achilees heel of the A4s, the middle big end!

Don

 

No. 19's test run is tomorrow so fingers crossed.

Its confirmed as 8.07 0ut of Kings Cross with a 2.30 Arrival in Newcastle.

Return times were handed back as not acceptable, new one should appear tomorrow.

If Bittern does not run there are two replacement loco's that can be used but there will be no non stop York-KX on the return.

 

Thanks spindizzy for confirming the outbound times.
I eagerly await the return ones.

 

They are not pretty, 5.30 departure from Newcastle, 11.30 return to KX

 

Thanks for that, got chance to go to Uni on Thursday now and just capture the return Hope everything goes Ok with the test run for 60019 and hope people enjoy the trip on Thursday. Simon

 

Times now available to travellers are:
KX dep (Plat 6) 0807
York arr 1221
York dep 1301
Newcastle arr 1430

Newcastle dep 1726
York arr 1918
York dep 1948
Kings X arr 2322

A long day indeed!

Anyone any news on the result of Bittern's test run today?

Peter in Manchester (for a bit longer)
http://pjhrailpics.fotopic.net