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

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by buseng, Apr 24, 2013.

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  1. steamvideosnet

    steamvideosnet Well-Known Member

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    I posted them on page 4 (I think) of this thread.

    James at SVN
     
    steamvideosnet, Jul 15, 2013
    #581
  2. pjhliners

    pjhliners Member Friend

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    I rang Pathfinder ths morning about my ticket for the Tyne Tees Streak on Friday. Was told they are on the desk and being sent out today with confirmed timings.

    Looking forward to it!

    Peter, on another sunny Manchester morning
    http://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com/
     
    pjhliners, Jul 15, 2013
    #582
  3. The Black Hat

    The Black Hat Member

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    Have heard rumour now that it is to be class 67 hauled. Anyone able to confirm?
     
    The Black Hat, Jul 15, 2013
    #583
  4. Groks212

    Groks212 Well-Known Member

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    I hope that is not true. As a passenger on this train my personal opinion is that I would prefer it to be postponed given the current weather and forecast for the rest of the week.

    Dave B
     
    Groks212, Jul 15, 2013
    #584
  5. neildimmer

    neildimmer Resident of Nat Pres

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    neildimmer, Jul 15, 2013
    #585
  6. pjhliners

    pjhliners Member Friend

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    pjhliners, Jul 15, 2013
    #586
  7. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Waiting for info like yourself. I have to say that in my opinion this trip is one that can only run exactly as billed....or not run. Think about it. Why else would someone want to board a train leaving Bristol at 0538 and travel to, of all places, Newcastle, if it were not for something special. There's nothing wrong with Newcastle but it's only the destination because of what has been planned for the last 80 miles.
     
    Big Al, Jul 15, 2013
    #587
  8. Steamage

    Steamage Part of the furniture

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    Most steam trains, such as The Fellsman and The Scarborough Spa Express, should run as scheduled though that means with diesel assistance. However, if the two Bittern 90 mph trips cannot run unassisted, then they definitely ought to be postponed. The whole point of these trips is high-speed unassisted steam haulage. That's specifically what the passengers have paid for.
     
    Steamage, Jul 15, 2013
    #588
  9. bgrey62253

    bgrey62253 New Member

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    bgrey62253, Jul 16, 2013
    #589
  10. KentYeti

    KentYeti Guest

    This one, above all others IMHO, needs a formal announcement by the Tour Promoter as soon as they know what is happening.

    It's one very long day on the train for some, and I suspect others will be travelling to York to join it.

    I'm sure they must realise that, so the only assumption I can make is that discussions about it are continuing?

    As hinted at above, the return timings are not done for 75 mph running, (as shown on RTT). It's an 82.5mph pass to stop average from Darlington to York.
     
    KentYeti, Jul 16, 2013
    #590
  11. northernsteam

    northernsteam Member

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    As a Tynesider I am not offended by this comment Big Al, but it is interesting that not one of these trips has started from north of York. Does that indicate where the people are that will pay for these trips? Certainly excludes a vast proportion of the interested population I would have thought. Of course, we can always travel to York and travel from there but it is hardly getting your moneys worth is it. So it might be a 'stand at the lineside and take photos' again for me.
    I do hope it runs as advertised or what is the point, with a diesel included how many folk will question if it gave assistance or not?
     
    northernsteam, Jul 16, 2013
    #591
  12. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    These times are arguably the best seen so far. The return is quite remarkable - 73 mph average over the 80 odd miles and southbound there is a fair amount against the collar as far as Durham. Assuming a similar load to the first trip, this should be ok (but definitely NOT be ok if the weight of a Class 67 is included...etc. etc.) More to the point, there is no question about this running in much more than the booked time as the 1530 from Edinburgh to KX is due into York only three minutes after it is scheduled to arrive! That's brave timing by Network Rail - Well done Milton Keynes and DBS.
     
    Big Al, Jul 16, 2013
    #592
  13. gwr4090

    gwr4090 Part of the furniture

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    I understand that the Newcastle trip on Fri 19/7 is likely to be postponed. More details shortly.

    David
     
    gwr4090, Jul 16, 2013
    #593
  14. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    If I may say so, this is the right and only decision for this particular train. Ditto for 27/7 if applicable.
     
    Big Al, Jul 16, 2013
    #594
  15. D1002

    D1002 Resident of Nat Pres

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    From Pathfinder's website:

    "POSTPONED - Network Rail and DB Schenker, our train operating company, have advised us that because of the continuing extremely hot and dry weather they will not allow the operation of this excursion to go ahead this Friday with steam only haulage north of York to Newcastle and return. Letters have been sent to all passengers booked and we are currently waiting confirmation of a new date of operation".
     
    D1002, Jul 16, 2013
    #595
  16. pjhliners

    pjhliners Member Friend

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    Here is a link to the full press release.
    http://www.pathfindertours.co.uk/in...es-streak-due-to-run-on-friday-19th-july.html

    This is clearly the right decision and we look forward to the same excitement on a new date to be determined.

    Peter, on a sunny warm Manchester morning
    http://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com
     
    pjhliners, Jul 16, 2013
    #596
  17. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    A good example of proper and direct communication. Whilst I don't have a flag to fly for Pathfinder any more than any other company, it is refreshing to see such clarity and timeliness. Clearly, as they have said, this trip had a specific purpose and to offer anything different would have been bizarre. Now can everyone else do the same thing please. (Thread on this at: https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/steam-charters-customer-company-communication.89063/)
     
    Big Al, Jul 16, 2013
    #597
  18. KentYeti

    KentYeti Guest

    Phew!

    Yes, very good indeed by Pathfinder. IMHO.

    Well done to them and all else who have been involved in this decision.

    Just hope that schedule can be used again when the time comes.

    Bryan, suffering severely from the heat in Kent. It's just getting hotter and hotter here. Shades of 2003? I do hope not.
     
    KentYeti, Jul 16, 2013
    #598
  19. david1984

    david1984 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Well done all for a prompt, in time announcement and the only sensible decision possible, although not said yet, I presume the same goes for the 27/7 unless any rain is due next week.
     
    david1984, Jul 16, 2013
    #599
  20. KentYeti

    KentYeti Guest

    The announcement also mentions that one will be put back and their website now shows it as postponed as well.
     
    KentYeti, Jul 16, 2013
    #600
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