Brief Encounter Special - 14th Feb (Evening)

Yeah I jumped the gun I just saw the Tangmere thread. Be nice to see 34067 haven't seen it since 2006 when I rode from Penzance to Exeter and she was in Golden Arrow regalia.

 

Times now up on uk Steam http://www.uksteam.info/tours/t11/t0214b.htm

Via Stewarts lane junction on the return.

 

44932 Now doing this trip in the absense of 34067.

Mike M. ( 70c)

 

Howdy all,
I'm living in the Haywards Heath area, not free until the return run tonight, but want to find somewhere good to go and watch it. Would rather find somewhere where it'll be working hard, any ideas of good spots?
Thanks,
Dan

 

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Hi Dan, she has got quite tight timings for the return run, 16 mins standing start to Haywards Heath, the electrics only stopping at Burgess Hill get 14 mins so she should be working hard most of the return leg. I am going to head for Preston Park on the return as she should be accelerating away nicely.

 

Should still be going out to see this mainly because I can get my weekly ticket and see if its 2nd time lucky in trying to see 44932.

 

Was bang on time outwards between Victoria - Clapham Junction - East Croydon. A decent head of speed through platform 6 at E Croydon.

 

Was 4 minutes late at Haywards Heath but flew through. Tried to get some pictures but when I tried to get the loco I got the support coach. Doh. Had a Class 37 on the rear but must have been added for this trip presumably to drag the train out Brighton to go on the triangle

 

This might be a bit late but ... it's uphill from Brighton to Clayton tunnel (between Preston Park and Hassocks) - downhill to Haywards Heath - uphill to Balcombe Tunnel - downhill to Gatwick Airport - uphill to the quarry line tunnel - downhill to Croydon - almost all at 1 in 264 (these are approximate gradient change points). 73 mins for a class 5 with 10 on plus a diesel (= appx 430 tons) is not bad given it will take 24 minutes in from Croydon - that leaves 49 minutes for the other 40 miles which are largely speed restriction free. Enjoy if you get to see it go by - nothing like steam in the dark

 

The 37 was doing nothing of any use at Clapham or East Croydon outwards - just being dragged - as far as I could tell...

 

Yeah as I said 44932 flew through Haywards Heath and the 37 acted like an extra carriage.

 

Bang on time through East Croydon on the return at reasonable speed (I hung out of my front window and drank the sound effects - no light for photos!)

 

Did this trip sell well? Its hard to tell from vids but i hope so - it would be nice to see more steam under the roof at Brighton.

 

The train was just about full, as far as I could tell. I was in the leading coach on the way down and rear on the way back, and can confirm that the class 37 was assisting at times - at least on the return run.

 

Did the train take the Battersea Park route, and, I assume, Pouparts Jn to Clapham Jn?

 

It headed through Battersea Park on the slow lines.

Saw it at Streatham Common on the way back as well - impressive but brief!

 

Yes it went through Platform 3 at Battersea Park on time, the station was well lit aswell.

Mike M. (70c)

 

Thanks for the tips on where to watch... Waited on Balcombe platform for it, sounded and looked great, light from the firehole playing on the underside of the exhaust, good times!

 

I had a nice evening following 44932 yesterday, saw the tour at Hassocks then got the train to Brighton where she stayed in the platform for half hour or so. Then saw the turning move and the tour return through Preston Park. My Dad has put his video from Preston Park on Youtube already, I am just going to edit my photos and videos now!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYcn6SrWIic