End Of Southern Steam 9th July

This trip is West Coast not DBS.

 

Sure, Bill, but can you see WCRC hiring a DBS diesel, even for a short section? I suppose they might send the DL light from Southall to Westbury in the afternoon, and if so, then that would be great.

 

I don't gamble, (except for the LOTTO), but if I did I'd put money on there being a box on the back of the train all day. Except when it is on the front.

Please anyone, come back on the 9th and tell me that was a crap comment for me to have made. I'd be even happier that normal about being told I post crap here!

 

Ah, my mistake. That changes the situation completely. <BJ>

 

I did not book onto steam dreams swan age trip as they usually put standard class at back and it would have meant being nearer a 67 than the steam loco all day! so let's hope etc do the decent thing and bring Ollie down and leave the box off the back that way both std class and premier class get a spell on the front even if we have to go via westbury

 

Looking at the times for The Yorkshireman on Saturday on UKsteam.info, I see that Ollie is returning to Southall L/E the same evening - this is also discussed in The Yorkshireman thread. UKsteam also says 70013 will work the outward leg on 9th July, and Tangmere the return, though David hasn't updated the route yet - probably because NR and WCRC haven't agreed the final details yet ;-) This is looking like quite a promising trip after all.

 

fingers crossed after sunday!!

 

Times for Steam Dreams trip out http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54900/2013/07/09/advanced, and back http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54901/2013/07/09/advanced.

Time for RTC trip out http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54904/2013/07/09/advanced. No times for return yet.

 

OMG.

I am almost speechless at those times Al.

But remember the last few July 9th SD trains when GB, SWT et al. really did us proud. And I am sure they will again when they can.

Looks like a chance of a steam even time Basing - Woking start to stop. But with the wrong class of engine for the 9th July! So no begging by me for a last minute ticket just for that bit.

Aah yes, three figures near Fleet Al. What days they were indeed.

 

I don't see this happening mainline steam is banned on Sunday and the heat expected is the same maybe wrong but don't hold much hope here.

 

Do you have the source of the ban please?

 

Taken from nunney castles website I'm on my phone so can't quote but the le for 5029 was cancelled on NR request the full quote has been posted on Torbay express thread.

 

From Nunney Castle website:
"Rather sadly, as we understand it, Nunney and other steam engines have been banned from operating on the main line due to the fire risk. Nunney was passed 'fit to run' on Thursday and the support crew allocated for the transfer to Bristol and Torbay Express on Sunday. A lot of time and effort has been put into preparing our loco for the weekend and although disappointed, we respect and understand the decision made. We sincerely hope that we are permitted 'out and about' soon to show you how well Nunney is running! In the meantime we will stay at Tyseley and focus our attentions on the support coach." http://www.5029nunneycastle.co.uk/

 

Not a total ban, though. Ben from Vintage Trains has posted elsewhere that the Shakespeare Express is going ahead as planned. Looks like it Western Region only - so far. Mind you, that doesn't necessarily help this tour...

 

So; we have a likely steam ban on Sunday owing to the expected hot and dry weather. The weather is forecast to remain the same all through next week, so I can see no logical reason why the steam ban won't, unfortunately, be extended indefinitely thereafter, until significant rain falls. This would mean no 9 July steam either, which may simply put the remains of the two trips then out of their misery, given the steady tearing apart of the more usual good efforts on this date. RYTC's site says that their trip will now start from Victoria rather than Waterloo (because of the Hampton Court Flower show - why was this not foreseen properly way before now?), thus removing one of the main points of the anniversary run, then sending it round via Putney instead of down the main line - another important feature gone. The Steam Dreams run has also gone from the main line to a painful crawl via Barnes.
Previous years have seen good runs, but this year's workings look like 'standard' runs out of London, now likely to be diesel-hauled. A great shame and frustrating for the tireless organisers.

 

Tuesday's trip is postponed, Tangers has a problem........................................

http://www.railwaytouring.net/latest/end-of-southern-steam-postponed

 

Perhaps a blessing in disguise. We seem to be celebrating the 'end of steam' on an annual basis now, surely that's a bit of overkill?

 

At least they have done the right thing & not just stick a box on it like SD's Exeter trip the other day.