The Bath Christmas Market - Sat 7th Dec

I notice the times are not yet up on UKS - here are the RTT times:
1Z84 Out - http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U53199/2013/12/07/advanced
1Z85 Return - http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U53201/2013/12/07/advanced

UKS shows this as being 44871 (/45407) but going of IR's comment over on TW I imagine that this will be the same as yesterday i.e. 44871+45407

 

Yes, it will be both 54 & 48.

 

Oooh good reason to go down the station tomorrow. First double header at Haywards Heath I believe in preservation (excluding that movement for Brighton Works Anniversary in 1991 with 70000,34027, 777 and 80080).

 

Ecs just creeped through Selhurst 5 late and a bit of slipping.
There's quite some gradients around Streatham and Selhurst areas.
44871 leading, and 45407 No diesel on the rear.
Stock looks very Christmassy inside!, hope they've got some mulled wine.

 

Left Haywards Heath on time. 45407 is sporting a holly wreath on the smoke box door. Nice little bit of slipping from the locos as they left. Heard them a little while before they turned up due to 44871's American whistle (wonder why IR put that on being a Black 5 fan) but something different I suppose.

 

So no diesel for the ECS move this morning but had one been attached by the time it left Haywards Heath or is this diesel free all day?

 

On time through Goring by Sea, going well with no diesel on the back.

 

Wivelsfield and Aldrington this morning, video to follow tonight...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/alts1985/11249703133/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/alts1985/11249662245/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/alts1985/11249794094/in/photostream/

 

Certainly was: http://www.flickr.com/photos/clarknet/11250166374/

 

My video from this morning at Preston Park Station.

 

For the last 3 years I've watched this trip (45407/44871 in 2013, 70013 in 2012 and 34067 in 2011).. its never had a diesel on the back.
its always fascinated me why this long ecs move at the crack of dawn is steam hauled.. and for that reason alone it has tempted me from my pit at the witching hour to go see it...

that and that the stock has no lights on… making this a true "early hours ecs"

 

Quote: ''For the last 3 years I've watched this trip (45407/44871 in 2013, 70013 in 2012 and 34067 in 2011).. its never had a diesel on the back.
its always fascinated me why this long ecs move at the crack of dawn is steam hauled''.

I think you'll find that Tangmere hauled the train in 2012. In 2011 and 2012 both trains arrived at Bristol with a diesel at the rear,
possibly added before the main tour set off from Three Bridges? <BJ>

 

34067 took it in 2012, and had a 47 attached to the rear (as seen below)



Tangers also had a 37 on the back in 2011

 

Maybe I'm getting old, and seeing things in the dark, or not..
I'm going to go back and check my videos from the last few years tonight

 

Video from Wivelsfield, Aldrington and Balcombe...