6201 and the Jubilee Pageant

http://uksteam.info/tours/t12/t0603b.htmTimings now on uksteam for the tour from Tyseley to Kenny O, and 6201's movements in London. Quite a lot of reversals on an interesting tour of West London lines for the footplate crew! I guess Lizzie starts the Pageant at the timing point shown as "Imperial Wharf - 14.05"? Also only allowed three minutes to get up Hatton Bank on the return!

 

The whole schedule from Oxford north is tough. It's around 50 miles from Hinksey to Hatton and the timing calls for 54 mins inclusive of two 2 min. station stops and a standing start up Hatton.

 

COUNTDOWN TO THAMES DIAMOND JUBILEE PAGEANT - News - Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant

[FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]The Pageant will officially start at around 14:40 as the Royal Jubilee Bells start ringing and the floating belfry slips its moorings in the Battersea Park area and takes its position as the lead vessel. [/FONT][/FONT]

 

The lack of coverage of 6201's involvement in this has been disappointing. GWR176's post quoted from the official website is even more so.

 

Perhaps because it is difficult to guarantee that 6201 will be in the right place at the right time? To be stopped on the bridge just as Her Majesty is passing below is quite tricky as a 5 minute delay by either party could blow the whole thing, much to the embarrassment of all involved had a lot of press been made about Lizzie "starting" the Pageant.

 

Tony Streeter did a big double-page spread in Steam Railway a few issues back. It's also been in Heritage Railway, the BBC national news, BBC Radio (this afternoon), The Express newspaper, etc.

It has sold very well. We haven't been keeping it quiet - honest!

The routing is going to be great fun - into Clapham via Ascot and Stains is a new one for me.

We have been coordinating with The Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant Pageant-Master for months now, in conjunction with WCR, NetRail, BTP, LT etc.

It is planned that 6201 will be alone on the bridge – no coaches at all.

 

Glad to see that the message has been getting out to the public at large - just seems to have passed me by! Sounds like great efforts are being made to get Lizzie in the right place at the right time - after all it is a royal appointment!

 

Ben.

Any danger of a whistle/hoot as you come through Ashford - next station along from Staines?

 

Any whistling that day is by Royal Appointment only.

Just kidding - I will see what we can do.

Cheers!

 

It should be a great tour and one to remember if all goes to plan! I haven't seen Lizzie in over 2 years, the last time was another VT tour - The Britannia Banker at Didcot RC. I might be out for this, depends if I have the time. I see on the timings that there are quite a few stops on the turning movement, but the one that stands out is Imperial Wharf - I take it this is where 6201 will park up for the Flotilla?

I will post my video on here if I make it!

James at SVN

 

Nice one!

Thanks Ben. - Tell Bob I'll send him some photo's for his collection!

I'm sure that I won't be the only one there, never mind anywhere else, I can see you being rather popular for the lineside gallery on Sunday, and can I assume that Lizzie will be decked out in some way as well?

 

"Lizzie" will have some decorations. The 6201PELS are arranging it all.

 

Because of the significance of this event, I am sure the West Coast drivers were queueing up to do this duty. I wonder who the lucky one was? Got a hunch that the Rays, Churchill and Poole will play a part!! Equally I wonder how on earth West Coast's decision on who to allocate the duty, works. Do they draw lots perhaps? Would be great to know!

 

What Bridge shall Lizzie be parked on?

 

The railway bridge at Imperial Wharf Chelsea -> link

 

I believe their first choice is who signs the route!

 

I hope the signals are fixed at tysley soon

 

Incase anyone wondering, Snow Hill/Moor Street to Stratford/Leamington is currently totally knackered due to suspected light fingered Pikeys.

 

According to chiltern rail's twitter, everything is back running now
Matt

 

We are heading over to Ascot tommorrow to see 6201 on her way up to London. We were going to go up to London to see 6201 and the boats but decided against this due to the amount of people expected up there.