RYTC Sussex Belle 27th September

Anyone got the new route and timings for this tour? Looking for route down from Bromley.

Thanks

 

The Sussex Belle that no longer goes anywhere near Sussex! Only seen the return which is on Uksteam, I am heading Hildenborough way after work for the return.

 

Yeah I was thinking along the same lines, surely they could have found one route along Sussex to run the train. I know it's really short notice for the route change but what's the point of calling it "Sussex Belle" if it's not even passing through Sussex!:doh:

 

I was thinking that actually but wouldn't every route need a reversal somewhere? As it is Hastings that is the problem that rules out anything through there, and there is no way off the Tunbridge Wells-Hastings line towards Eastbourne is there? Even then that would need reversal at Eastbourne. Something like down the Brighton line, Hove to Littlehampton or Bognor Regis would need to reverse before heading up towards Horsham unless it ran back through Eastleigh. I can't think of the last midweek daytime tour using the Brighton line, it is pretty full I guess so the only possible route is the one chosen, its a regular steam run so the paths I guess are in place.

 

Ok, Timings published,

t0927b.htm

Its the standard Kent Sevenoaks/Tonbridge/Ashford route

 

Looks like there will be an oily box on the back, no doubt to avoid a repetition of Tangmere's misbehaviour on Martin Mill bank last year.

Does anyone know what the problem with the Hastings line is? I've been down there with steam a couple of times in the last 2 years so something must have changed.

 

I think it would be fair to say that Tangmere didn't 'misbehave' on Martin Mill bank - the loco was in good working order, but it was faced with circumstances beyond its capabilities - a standing start at the height of autumn towards a 1 in 70 bank which had been allowed to become overhung with trees through the decades and no RHTT beforehand, as I understand it. I'm not trying to be pedantic, but I think we need to distinguish between loco/train failure and 'force majeure' or poor planning in these cases.
Autumn's not underway yet, but the recent weather may have put a few leaves down, so I suppose the diesel is only to be expected.

 

Today is dry here in deepest East Kent with a clearing sky and the sun is shining. That said, Martin Mill bank lineside is still full of trees so there will again be a risk of loss of adhesion. However, as one of those who was (lucky to be?) at the crossing where Tangmere came to a stand last year I can say that the railhead then was awful and nothing the loco crew could have done would have changed that. Better a diesel on the back of the train than no steam on the front!

 

There is engineering work booked for this weekend on the Marsh Line so it may be prep work for that has caused the change of route.

BTW, just noticed a report that Dover - Ashford is stopped due to a person being killed at Sandling. Network Rail expects that line will reopen about 1100 but the disruption may have an effect on the Belle.

 

Hope to see at Ashford

 

Train was early heading for Minster and did not seem to stop for the layover mentioned in t0927b.htm

It's now anybodys guess if it will stop before Folkestone!

 

Climbed Hildenborough bank this afternoon very nicely, did not notice the diesel helping at all. My video from the top of Philpots Lane Crossing using my handy gorilla pod and a photo from the bottom...

BOB no.34067 'Tangmere' with 'The Sussex Belle' Thursday 27th September 2012 - YouTube

BOB no.34067 'Tangmere' | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

The train arrived at Tonbridge up fast line a few minutes early and crept to a halt while waiting for the road behind the 1620 departure to Charing Cross. Having waited for the road to clear (all the way to green before setting off), Tangmere got away unassisted with a slight slip and appeared (i.e. sounded) to remain unassisted into the distance to start the assault of Hildenborough bank.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/deepgreen2009/8030641523/

 

Filmed at Chelsfield on the outwards leg, running about 5 minutes early at that point.

34067 Tangmere, 27/09/2012 - YouTube