The Cristmas White Rose (ECML) 17/12/2011

Looks from above as though she was going to get back to Kings Cross an hour late ?? Seems conflicting ideas..brakes,, then fire (coal issue?). Certainly not jumping to conclusions, but appears enginemen had their work cut out. Any first hand info ???

 

Don't forget that too low a boiler pressure and the brakes will come on and a poor fire will cause the boiler pressure to drop so even if quoted separately as the cause of the delay, all three issues could be connected.

 

When my dad saw it at Stevenage in the evening the boiler pressure was down to 140 PSI and the fire was badly clinkered. Presumably there was a block on the North London line last night as 4492 and stock are currently sat in the yard at Hornsey. I guess 37685 is on the front, but can't see it from where I am.

 

Had a message from some friends travelling that the train finished at Potters Bar as there was no engine to pull the train out of Kings Cross. Not got all the details but a shame if so.

Stephen

 

Didn't this trip use 2 loco's, one out & one back? So 60019 would of been newly prepped?

 

I'm getting somewhat confused by these York trips. Isn't this run the one which was attracting all the flak a coulple of days ago for having one or more diesels attached? If so, where were they when the chips were down, or was it all just a dream?

 

It was a shame we were terminated at Potters Bar on the return, the info we were given was that we were short of steam. The outward trip with Ollie was a good one, a bit stop/start but got us there with some good noise along the way. The return run with 4492 between Retford and Peterborough was amazing. We were about 10-15 late off Retford meaning we missed our pathing stop at Claypole Loop and stormed through. If I hadn't of been on the train I would have loved to have been at Grantham station, must have looked incredible! Given the fast all the way down Stoke bank which was also good. Pity it ended badly but thanks all for making it happen.

 

No. That was the Norwich - York trip. This one is the London - York trip.

 

Thanks. Too many Christmas parties, I'll try and pay more attention in the future :fish:

 

These periods in time should (if needed) be used to clean the fire and build up a new one. 60019 has a drop grate which would aid this. I doubt a fireman would allow the fire to die anyway, certainly not in my experience/observations. I know of one mainline fireman who cleans/checks the fire at any given opportunity (waterstops, long pathing stops etc) and as a result has achieved some great performances on many locos.

 

Is there an issue with use of certain fire irons under overhead lines though?

 

Great sight as Cromwell thundered through Colton Jcn at lunchtime.

The second half of this joint clip shows how she performed in front of photographers from over 80 cars =

5043 and 70013 head for York 17th December 2011 - YouTube

 

Just went past hornsey on the way to work, 4492 in steam with what looks like a 37/4 on the front. I can only assume she's still being warmed up as there was a few drifts of black smoke from her.

 

No I didn't. This train was never planned to have diesel - UKsteam picks up his information from variety of sources but, more often than not, not official ones.

The irony, of course, on Saturday was, if there had been a diesel, the train wouldn't have needed to be terminated short of KX; that, however, would probably been lost on the die-hards, if not the long-suffering passengers.

 

Indeed James, the irony wasn't lost on me. I really don't know what the answer is, you're caught between the devil and the deep blue sea here.

I'm no die-hard, in so much as when I travel it's generally with the missus and friends, and they aren't amused if we're not back within a few minutes of the booked time. Conversely, as a steam man, whose pleasure lies in hearing the loco working hard and timing the runs up the banks along the way, I'd not book a tour if I knew it would include a diesel. Of course I'd then risk the flak from wife and friends if we came to grief. I really don't envy people in your position who have to make these calls and fill the seats. Good luck for 2012, and let's hope for a prosperous and reliable year!

 

A few photos from Saturday: steam on the main line network -  
Tried to capture two loco’s together although with today’s railway furniture and steam it wasn't easy. Pleasant surprise to see three light engine movements through the station although there was no clear opportunity to capture the castle and the A4 together due to steam and many people.

Richard

 

There might be some situations which can be foreseen, but I don't think a clinkered fire is one of them (I believe that was the issue). If that attitude was taken we would have all steam tours "assisted" by default.