4464 Bittern to do 90mph on ECML - 29 June & 27 July 2013

Coasting is indeed unlikely in this particular instance, but perfectly possible. Don't forget the time a WCML train coasted all the way from Watford, where the transformer tap change from 25 kV to the then 6(?) kV failed, all the way to Euston. And the regular coasting of Eurostars on the transition from 25 kV to 3 kV DC in Belgium before the high speed line was ready.

But this thread has crept far enough.

 

Sorry Henry - just picking up on Shep's "Earl Of Cramlington" thing...

More importantly - what's your source for this bad news and how well to you trust it? Any idea what's behind it?

 

LATEST UPDATE at 17:15 on 29th August 2013:
Railway Herald has just been advised that BOTH Bittern trips this weekend have been postponed. A new date is to be advised. Further details not known at the moment.

 

AHHH Forgot about that Mark lol
As you can see now my info backed up unfortunately

 

FFS!

 

Railway Herald has been advised by Railway Herald that both 90mph approved trains on 30th/31st August have been postponed.
Railway Herald has been advised by Railway Herald that both 90mph approved trains on 30th/31st August have been postponed.


Pathfinder's 'Tyne-Tees Streak' was due to operate on 30th August, from Bristol to Newcastle, with LNER 'A4' Pacific No. 4464 Bittern taking over at York, while the following day's 'Capital Streak' would have seen the London to York leg electrically-hauled with Bittern handling the return southbound working.
The late notification for the workings is unfortunate, but given the operating problems on the ECML on 29th August, after 600-metres of overhead line came down, together with the 'light steam policy' after two lineside fires on the York-Scarborough line earlier in the week, possibly not surprising.
The actual reason for the postponed workings is not yet known, and Railway Herald will endevour to update readers in our issue next week, with the full story.

Pathfinder's 'Tyne-Tees Streak' was due to operate on 30th August, from Bristol to Newcastle, with LNER 'A4' Pacific No. 4464 Bittern taking over at York, while the following day's 'Capital Streak' would have seen the London to York leg electrically-hauled with Bittern handling the return southbound working.
The late notification for the workings is unfortunate, but given the operating problems on the ECML on 29th August, after 600-metres of overhead line came down, together with the 'light steam policy' after two lineside fires on the York-Scarborough line earlier in the week, possibly not surprising.
The actual reason for the postponed workings is not yet known, and Railway Herald will endevour to update readers in our issue next week, with the full story.

 

Just got an email from Pathfinder Tours to confirm. Looks like the steam ban was more the issue than the overhead wires failure. Network Rail were not willing to allow 'pure steam' on Friday or Saturday apparently.

 

Indeed! (and I would have put an Oh at the beginning Lol! )

This is turning out to be NOT a good week for steam, through no fault of its own, 1st Tornado, now this!

Just what is the weekend going to bring?

Feel very sorry for those who were going on these trips,and I suppose a lot will have booked hotels etc..........................................

Amazing the knock on effect of a bit of copper snapping can have, so as NR can't guarantee things will be fixed in time, it seems the sensible thing to do in pulling the plug on the two trips as Bittern will probably have little or no chance of stretching her legs at 90mph, and that is what the paying public have paid for and probably wouldn't be too pleased doing stop-start along the ECML................................................................

 

Time of the month is it ?, I think you'll find during previous engineering work, the coasting distance was in excess of a mile which last time I looked was in excess of 600 metres, still don't let me stop you being sarcastic.

I'm unfamiliar with the ECML south of Donny, hence my point about if it's not near a station, which is what it does appear to be.

 

I see the Hymek amongst us has taken the red pill tonight.

 

Yes, just had the same phone call. Very frustrating.

 

Anybody know if the Steam Ban will apply across the UK? Torbay Express? Royal Duchy?

 

As far as we know at the present time, its purely London North Eastern region that has a 'light steam policy' in place - i.e steam can remain on the front, but diesel behind doing all the work. No other regions have advised of issues at the present time, although as ever, the caveat is that the situation is always under review.

 

Was on an area by area basis before, so same again ?.

 

I have had a message left on my phone from Marcus of Steam Dreams (who I booked through), and an email confirming cancellation. I was advised than in the phone message than new date is likely to be in September. Since the stock might be used for UK Railtours trip on the 14th, the 20th & 21st or 27th & 28th look the most likely.

 

Will Bittern stay in York until the next attempt? If so, can Tornado dep for her on 5th Sept?

 

Possibly not, its been mentioned elsewhere, she may well be stuck at the MHR until Friday, but that of course may change...............................

So if 60019 +60163 are both stranded, 70013 would be the likely candidate, or maybe 34046 or 45231 might make an appearance from Bristol!

 

had just paid an arm and leg to get these to runs and now its just wasted down the drain!!!

 

Steam Dreams use DBS rather than West Coast so that rules out 70013 or 45231.

 

From my point of view Network rail need to get their heads out from their backsides. I was booked to go on the Capital Steak on Saturday and informed that is has been cancelled due to fire risk. Fire risk my arse my office over looks the ECML in Essendine, and all the bloody line side foliage is green! The fact they've pulled this stunt when quite possibly some folks are already in hotels for the 2 trips is even more disgusting. I will add though I have no complaints to the tour organiser as this is obviously out of their hands.

Rob