Cathedrals Express 14/7 Lewes to Cambridge & Ely

Searching through youtube I've find one clip someone's uploaded from Hampden Park Station this morning. My Dad and I were standing on the concrete footbridge you can see in the background.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHXTxXPp6CI&feature=channel_video_title

 

I too found that clip as well as 2 at Haywards Heath. I think the uploader of both videos is in one of my pictures.

Also according to my parents today was not my first encounter with 70000. I'm don't have memory of it as I was only a few years old but she was in the shed at Didcot. Also the last time (I'm guessing) that 70000 left Southall and went through Haywards Heath was the day of my birth September 20th 1991.

 

To round the evening off, 70000 arrived 21 minutes late into Lewes and sat for a further 10 or so in Platform 1. She then made a fine (and loud) departure towards Eastbourne stopping outside the station where 47500 took over and hauled the train through Platform 2 stopping very briefly for the signal to clear.

 

My video from Wivelsfield (twice), Merstham and Haywards Heath is now on Youtube...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnB-mUv_B3I

 

Did anyone manage to get any photo's of Brittania's support coach by any chance. If you have then can you send me a PM & I'll explain.

Many thanks

 

Managed to get a few photos of the loco including the Support Coach. Have cropped them down and PM'd you

Tom

 

My photographs of 70000 at Ely station on 14 July. They are to be found at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/16521384@N07/sets/72157627196178182/
Hope you enjoy them. Comments welcome.
Posted also in Photography section of this forum.

 

Here are mine from Milton, just north of Cambridge. Click on image for full-size version.

 

The train did not stop on the outward at Three Bridges to pick-up passengers and Stewards, because they were instructed not to by Network Rail because there was service train right behind us. I believe the passengers & Stewards joined at Kensington O.

Best running was on the return: - Ely- outskirts of Cambridge, Outskirts of Cambridge - Stanstead North Junction, after the water stop at Harlow - Tottenhale
Fast run through East Croydon, Stoats Nest Junction – Merstham & Three Bridges – Balcombe Viaduct.

On the outward only Cambridge - Ely of note.

From SD timing sheet Lewes – Ely 135 miles Outward 6 hours (included half hour pathing stop next to Euro star deport), Return 4 hours 45 minutes.

I heard Diesel assisting on the outward trip (Standard was at the rear) leaving some station and after being held at signals.

Load 13 coaches. (Support coach, 3 premier Dining, Kitchen car, 2 Pullman, 2 First, Buffet/Standard 2 Standard, 1 Super Standard)+ Diesel.

I was surpised how many passengers had joined at Lewes when the train arrived at Haywards Heath. I was expecting most at Haywards Heath since therthere is a large carpark their ( approx 600 spaces).

 

Here is the video to go with my pics above....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TVbzL2FVao

 

Interesting, 12 public coaches & only 2 standard class. Makes you wonder what sort of market they are after, not your normal "anorak".

 

Couldn't see that many waiting at Haywards Heath though the car park was full (as that was where I was and may explain why I didn't see passengers getting on) but it is a busy commuter station. I too noticed that the train was quite full going into the station. I guess that as steam east of Keymer Junction is very rare that might explain why.

 

My Dads video from Haywards Heath on the return is on Youtube...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljKSRY0YObY

 

3 Standard including buffet so 172 seats less 4 for the the Stewards.84 seats in Pullman, 144 in Premier Dining, 73 in First less the 6 for SD staff compartment, and 64 in Super Standard. The usual make up of the " Green Train " . Super Standard seems to run on most trips now rather than just selected ones. it is popular since is sold out on 3 future trips.

Less enthusiats that normal on the train,but that was not surprising due to the route. Not my chance of fast running. There were 3 service trains that departed Haywards Heath in the 10 minutes before our departure.

 

Most were spread out along the length of the platform, because the Station announcer said a number of times that Coach A would be at the London end.

 

A great set of pictures Robert. It looks like the footplate crew were in a matching livery to 70000!



Some great videos and pictures of this run folks.

 

Going by one of the comments on your Dads video I wish I knew I could have got a platform ticket rather than buying a return to Wivelsfield to try and get on the platform early that morning. Doh.

 

Steam Dreams have never I believe intended to cater for the "anorak" market. They purposely aim to attract a broad spectrum of customers, hence the choice of 5 classes on their trains. Remember that dining class is where the money is made and that the trains are rarely packed with enthusiasts (last week's legendary Weymouth trip excepted).

 

You can see that by looking in the windows,usually middle-aged and comfortable sitting at tables.

 

I passed that information onto my Dad as I tried to get on the platform a few weeks ago to see my fiancee off before going to work and the man on the barrier said I needed a 10p platform ticket, I assume that applies all the time the barriers are down though its always worth asking if its OK to go and see the steam train!!