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Kent Circular - November 11th

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by Big Al, Nov 2, 2013.

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  1. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Is this a case of "Here we go again?". I see that UKSteam, that is seldom wrong on these things, now has this trip routed via Swanley and not Dartford as advertised. And it's not as if the website publicity doesn't make a big thing of the North Kent route that arguably makes it an unusual circular and a reason for booking. The RTC ticket info says nothing about the route change so I assume that this is all a surprise for them. Although isn't this a trip that they have tried before to run along north Kent and I presume that there were assurances given this time to allow them to advertise it?

    I am surprised as at least they have had a loco rostered for the trip that shouldn't have presented a gauging problem - if a Black 5 won't fit then nothing will. So it looks like NR has, at the last minute again, decided that whatever they agreed in principle a while back just won't work any more. So whether it's gauging or pathing, it really is quite frustrating for all.

    I hope that WCR/RTC are jumping up and down about it.
     
    Big Al, Nov 2, 2013
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  2. 5944

    5944 Resident of Nat Pres

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    The RTC website now states "This tour will now run via the North Kent Line."

    I hadn't looked at this tour till just now. £40 standard! Would be rude not to at that price.
     
    5944, Nov 2, 2013
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  3. 45305

    45305 New Member

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    Yes, but it was very much expected. Both the 2011 & 2012 trains very advertised via Dartford but did not run via that route. I think it has more to do with RTC 'Copy & Paste' advertising than Network Rail. It still offers 180ish miles of steam for just £40, can’t grumble at that.

     
    45305, Nov 2, 2013
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  4. Bulleid Pacific

    Bulleid Pacific Part of the furniture

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    Can't grumble at all, especially as I was going to be in the area mid-week anyway, so just bolted on the extra day for a jaunt round Kent. Also took advantage of a special offer that made it more akin to a day rover on a heritage railway. Not fussed on the route as long as it takes in the stretch between Ramsgate and Folkestone, which is currently missing on my steam map...
     
    Bulleid Pacific, Nov 4, 2013
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  5. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    And my reason for booking was also a "steam map" issue......i.e. so long as it takes in the north Kent route. But no doubt NR will have a good reason for the diversion. They probably have the view that any rail leads to Margate.

    That said, the RTC site has been updated today with actual times but there's no mention of anything different about the route. So in view of what seems to be their recent welcome efforts at transparency over such things - witness the helpful update emails etc - maybe things are not as UKSteam suggests.
     
    Big Al, Nov 4, 2013
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  6. cav1975

    cav1975 Member

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    Any chance of a link to a relevant website or two?
     
    cav1975, Nov 4, 2013
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  7. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Big Al, Nov 4, 2013
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  8. gricerdon

    gricerdon Guest

    gricerdon, Nov 4, 2013
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  9. Bulleid Pacific

    Bulleid Pacific Part of the furniture

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    Best get the Good Beer Guide out, then...
     
    Bulleid Pacific, Nov 7, 2013
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  10. D1002

    D1002 Resident of Nat Pres

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    D1002, Nov 9, 2013
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  11. alastair

    alastair Well-Known Member

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    alastair, Nov 9, 2013
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  12. Romsey

    Romsey Part of the furniture

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    The climb from Buckland Jn to Guston tunnel could be "interesting" in view of the weather forecast for Monday.
    The STN shows 44932, 9 VB coaches and class 47. I suspect the class 47 will be needed up the 1 in 69/71/74.
    (Also about an hour ahead of the RHTT daylight run to Dover P via Deal.)

    Cheers, Neil
     
    Romsey, Nov 9, 2013
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  13. Bulleid Pacific

    Bulleid Pacific Part of the furniture

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    Not too bad from my point of view, as Nunhead-Ashford is winning track, as is Folkestone-Minster. Still 183 miles for around £40, so not too bad. Class 47 not really an issue at this price, but would be nice to see how 44932 does on the banks alone before calling for assistance.
     
    Bulleid Pacific, Nov 10, 2013
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  14. twr12

    twr12 Well-Known Member

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    It should be a patriotic class 47.....
     
    twr12, Nov 10, 2013
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  15. mrKnowwun

    mrKnowwun Part of the furniture

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    The only way is essex?
     
    mrKnowwun, Nov 10, 2013
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  16. VirtualSteam

    VirtualSteam Member

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    The Black 5 must be getting near - the rain has started !
     
    VirtualSteam, Nov 11, 2013
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  17. Deepgreen

    Deepgreen Well-Known Member Friend

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    Reported on RTT as 44 minutes late at Maidstone East.
     
    Deepgreen, Nov 11, 2013
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  18. 5944

    5944 Resident of Nat Pres

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    So different loco, different route, only 40 minutes at a different destination, rapidly approaching RST, and being shoved by a 47. I'm glad it was fully booked when I tried last week.
     
    5944, Nov 11, 2013
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  19. KentYeti

    KentYeti Guest

    Aaah. a really good advert for mainline steam trips! Such is my interest in it, indeed in any main line steam now, I didn't go the mile from home to see it pass near West Malling.

    And it seems RST was reached and even exceeded soon after Dover Priory.

    Any bets on when and where RST will be reached on the return? Ramsgate? LOL!
     
    KentYeti, Nov 11, 2013
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  20. Deepgreen

    Deepgreen Well-Known Member Friend

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    Sorry for my acronym ignorance - RST?
     
    Deepgreen, Nov 11, 2013
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