VSOE Christmas Luncheon Special Dec 17

Is it known yet whether this will be running via Hounslow or Twickenham?

 

Thanks. Have found that to be the case on weekdays but on Saturdays the VSOE British Pullman has often gone via Hounslow, at least in the summer months. Usually get the info from the UKsteam Info site - and I appreciate all the work that goes into that - but, unusually, the timings are still to be posted. No criticism intended whatsoever. As a "layman" I just wondered why the timings are still not there?

 

Via Hounslow 13:06. For a change it's leaving from platform 7 at Victoria.

 

Has anyone got times off Victoria?

 

Thank you. UKsteam Info has this morning finally posted the unconfirmed timings and they list it as going via Twickenham today. Know nothing is guaranteed and routes can change at the last minute. But is Twickenham now more likely than Hounslow. Or?

 

Anyway,better outlook viz Twickenham,too many back gardens v.Hounslow with old bikes thrown around.Nice view eating your 400 quid meal v.Richmond.Let's have a bit of class here.

 

Through Barnes station at a crawl about 12 mins late but then speeding up and heading for Twickenham.

 

It passed through Brentford at 13:15.

 

Apologies. Was told Twickenham at Barnes station and it appeared to be heading that way when it came through. Sorry for the incorrect info.

 

Today has been just like the good old days, back when 4472 was working the VSOEs. you'd not know if you had missed it on the Hounslow/Richmond line untill another steam photographer spots you on the platform and shouts "it passed Putney 20 minutes ago". There was also a signal stop at Barnes on the timings (something like 12:53-12:57), and people would turn up just to get a view of the stationary 4472, trouble was the train would always just arrive slowly at the latter time and crawl through instead.

 

Arriving at Barnes station:

 

I waited nearly an hour at Addlestone mostly in sun.Photographers luck no sun when 35017 appeared.Mainline Steam 2011 - Stephen Leek's Photos | SmugMug

 

I was travelling through Clapham Jct at 1545 and was surprised to see the train pass through Platform 12 heading for Victoria. I thought it usually went back via Herne Hill, Brixton etc... but it must have come straight up the main line from East Croydon today,

 

I saw a photographer waiting for her leaving Victoria then caught a glimpse of some of her smoke and her support coach in the Battersea area but looked more like she was back at Stewarts Lane but this wasn't long after you saw her which was about 15.50.

 

Went out to Gomshall Bank to see her this afternoon, as is the way with this hobby, gorgeous evening light shone on the line......5 minutes after she passed. 35017 Belgian Marine on the VSOE - 17/12/2011 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

No usually East Croydon - Selhurst - Clapham Junction - Victoria. :doh:

 

A short video of her climbing Gomshall bank. Got there a bit late so didn't have time to set the camcorder up in a sensible position, so excuse the camera clicks. I'll probably go out that way again in the new year and have another go. 60163 Tornado & 35017 Belgian Marine - 17/12/2011 - YouTube

 

Pulling away from Virginia Water....

Neil's Photos | Steam..... | Photo 87