SD TO Winchester 26th July

Through Apsley about 10-12 down. Running behind a stopper.

 

Just for you lot (I usually take ages to post new pictures!) here is 60163 this morning.

60163 at Old Linslade

 

That's a nice shot. Better than my efforts today. Sun in slightly wrong place and horrible mixture of bright sun and heavy shade.

 

Reported about 17 late at Clapham but on time by Winchfield and no diesel attached. Thanks for RTL updates from Farnborough. A few minutes earlier 34067 made a fine sight in the sun at Basingstoke, on time with the DCE.

 

The line between Whitton and Feltham is now closed due to a line-side fire near Feltham. As both steam trains (34067 and 60163) took this route this morning, I fervently hope that neither was the culprit! It would be a cruel irony if, after all the wet weather this summer, a few hot, dry days sees a potential blame disaster emerging such as this! If both/either had been stopped at Feltham Junction, I fear that the re-starting effort may have thrown the odd spark around. Let's hope the steam movement is not blamed here.

60163 working hard near Woking, given her head on the fast line.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/deepgreen2009/7649772514/

 

Hence my "Gone the Other Way" thread on here. Unfortunately too much of a coincidence. From what I have seen, the ground (not railway related) has gone from a muddy mess to hard & dry in less than a week.

 

Two quick shots from Brentford of both 60163 & 3406734067 Tangmere & 60163 Tornado, passing Brentford. 26 July 2012. - YouTube

 

What happens with these tours during the rest of the day is usually a pretty good indication if there were anything to do with the fires or not, particularly in urban area's fires can also be down to arson, electrical fault or goodness knows what else so lets wait and see.

 

Fires are very common on the southern from arcing from the third rail.

 

And on holiday children throwing lighted matches about. If I lived in Feltham I'd probably do the same. Apologies to inhabitants, I'm sure it's lovely.

 

A view from Potbridge today:

 

I can assure you it isn't!

 

Ah yes, Feltham, home of the young offenders offenders institution that was in the news a lot a few years ago. Lovely part of the world !

 

Very interesting, and illustrates nicely how quickly the effects of weeks of record rainfall can be turned around by a few days of "Sahara" style sunshine !

 

60163 running on time @ Richmond.Mainline Steam 2012 - Stephen Leek's Photos | SmugMug

 

I managed to catch up with 60163 at Woking, Basingstoke (just!), Shawford, Eastleigh and Micheldever. The video link is below. Fortunately, everything ran to time, as I decided to use the train in the morning to get to Woking and Basingstoke. 60163 sounded good, even after her 900 odd miles this week.

The link to the video is here: 60163 - The Cathedrals Express 26-07-12 - YouTube

Feel free to comment

James at SVN

 

Fingers crossed.

But here has been incredible vegetation growth and whilst the roots at or just below ground level may still be damp I suspect the bits waving around in the breeze have become rather dry this week.

Cheers,

Bryan

 

A bit like some of mine Bryan!

 

Nearly forgot about 7 minutes down at Apsley after the Watford stop. Going great guns.

 

My video, outward and return legs at Worting Junction:

60163 Tornado, The Cathedrals Express, 26 July 2012. - YouTube

Dave