Valentine's Day Lunchtime Special - Steam Dreams, with 44932

We got our tickets through for the White Cliffs circular tour on the 14th Feb.

Timings given are:

London Victoria (Platform.2) 0944 hrs
Bromley South (Platform.2) 1024 hrs
Sevenoaks (Platform.3) 1044 hrs
Paddock Wood (Platform.2) 1104 hrs
Paddock Wood 1404 hrs
Orpington 1444 hrs
Bromley South 1454 hrs
London Victoria 1527 hrs

 

I will be on this and will be sending text updates through RailTour Live regularly throughout the trip. Any requests for specific updates?

 

I see a slight timing anomaly on this tour, as well as the evening train 44932 is booked to do:

The Lunch Special is due to leave Vic at 1543, arriving at Southall at 1910, however the Evening train she is now on leaves Vic at 1822. Shall we break out the time machine?!

Anyway, I will try and head to Wandsworth Road in the morning for this!

 

I guess the engine move after the lunchtime trip was planned for when Tangmere was supposed to be on the evening trip, now it's not so 44932 will just have to hang around Victoria waiting its second journey!

 

It will have to be turned somehow - I guess that could be done on the triangle around Stewarts Lane. Guess it will also need watering before the second run.

 

Reprecussions from a fatality at Christchurch are delaying services from London Vic so half expecting late running; however just passed her at Plat 2 and she looks splendid gleaming in the sun!

 

Instead she left on time as I was stuck at Battersea Park whilst the silly staff tried to decide which train went to London Bridge or not Wasted morning for me so looking forward to some photos from down the line!

 

I don't know if you was using the Rail-Tour system, but it's a good way to keep informed, and keep others informed about the progress and delays of Railtours.

 

Passed Shortlands spot on time!

 

Left Ashford approx 14 down - behind late running service train. Looked good and was making a lot of noise

 

Returned through Ashford 13.55 - approx 20 down

 

Waited at an excellent lineside spot at Denmark Hill until 1545, then abandoned. Thought I heard 'chuffing' in the distance at about 1530 - is it possible the train returned via Herne Hill?

 

You're right, after being 20-25 minutes down at Bromley we were given a fast path back via Herne Hill. Apologies, I should have texted but I'm ashamed to say I didn't actually notice we were not on our intended route. Whoops. We were just wondering by that stage whether we were going to get back to Victoria before Clan Line! :redface:

Anyway, Happy Valentines Day everyone :love:

 

Many thanks for all your updates today Steve, much appreciated.

 

Here are three platform pictures of 44932 on today's trip, from Victoria and Paddock Wood

 

Just curious about this. This morning the train got dragged into Victoria by a 47 and a 37. Then, the red warning lamp was put on the rear of the last carriage, and both diesels detached. Oh good. However, the 37 was then on the rear of the train when we left Victoria. The 47 wasn't. Oh well, thought I, must be the gradients in the Dover area need the diesel for contingency. Anyway, ten minutes or so later I looked again and the 37 was no longer on the back of the train.

So, what was going on? Why two diesels into Victoria, when presumably only one was needed. And what about the vanishing 37, was it needed to shove us uphill out of Victoria?? I know we had a delay a short while after leaving, would that have been to uncouple it? Or can they just push from the back without being physically attached?

Incidentally, one amusing thing happened today. There was a water stop at Paddock Wood station on the return journey. When we got to the station, the bowser was already there, as you'd expect. Except, it was parked up outside the car park nowhere near the trackside or the platform, rather than inside it where it could have got within a few feet. Fifteen minutes later it was still there, and no water had been taken on by 44932. Mostly because I don't think they make hoses that long..... Anyway, at that point, someone apparently found the key that was needed to open up the height restriction barrier at the car park entrance, and let the bowser in....... heehee...... I guess Paddock Wood water stops are not all that common!

My pleasure! Glad it was useful.

 

Trains leaving Victoria are usually banked due the gradient 1 in 62. Do not recall having 2 Diesels bringing a train into Victoria before.

 

I hope I can offer an explanation - though a lot of it will be from experience in other trips.

The reason for two diesels is that in the servicing period between Daytime and Evening trips today, the 47 took (an) extra coach(es) that weren't needed on the evening train back to Southall. I heard it arrive back at shed, but didn't catch how many coaches were brought back. I'm just guessing that both diesels went in the morning to save a later light engine path, and also just guessing that the shorter evening train is perhaps down to platform lengths at Brighton.

As for the 37 and the tail lamp etc. the proceedure when leaving Victoria on a trip without the diesel on the back is for the diesel to push the train out of the platform, keeping contact for as long as possible, although not actually coupled to the train. There are then two possible scenarios:

1. The diesel maintains contact all the way up Grosvenor Bank, but upon reaching Signal V35 (I think its 35?), on the bridge over the Thames, the diesel must part from the train and come to a stand before the signal, regardless of the shown aspect. It will then be given the road once the steam is clear.

2. The diesel parts from the train - something that can be caused by many number of things - in which case, the diesel must be slowed and I believe obey all other signals. If the diesel loses contact, under no circumstances is it to attempt to regain it.

Having just made point number 2 - if the steam was to come to a stand through lack of power to get up the bank after the diesel had dropped away, then I believe the diesel could be requested to draw up and assist again, but only after contact with the signalman presumably?

As for the tail light, this was placed on the coach so that as soon as the train did part, the rear is protected in the normal manner. The diesels have their own tail lights built in, so act as the tail lamp of the train until splitting.

Hope this offers some explanation.

Incidentally, how close did 932 and the Merchant get at Victoria in the afternoon? I heard about the late running and thought there may have been a chance of both present at once. I know it's happened once before with Clan Line and Tangmere in Platforms 2 and 7 respectively.

 

Thanks guys.

44932 on its return arrived on Platform 2 at about 15.40, some 10 minutes late, and left about 15.55 pulled out by a diesel though I did not see which one. 35028 arrived a minute early at 16.04 and also went into Platform 2.

 

On the contrary - Paddock Wood water stops are very common and normally go without a hitch!