Cathedrals Express 21st/22nd Dec.

It'll be nice to see a pair of 5's down in Kent

 

Now what did I say a few weeks back Ralph?

 

So Ive got my hopes up and am thinking to book this one..
anything I should know ?

 

I was hoping to have at least 1 Britannia on the Kent circular, 44932 has been fairly regular down in Kent this year but with both 45305 and 44932 on the train, i may just have to get my camera ready for it.

 

The evening trip around the Surrey Hills line on the 22nd has now been caped due to the risk of bad weather. The day trip around Kent will however run.

Email received today:

It is with great regret that I am writing to inform you that we have decided to cancel our evening tour on 22nd December, due to the Met Office weather forecast for the end of next week. We have a luncheon tour running earlier in the day around Kent, which will go ahead as planned. As the luncheon trip takes place during the milder daylight hours, we don’t anticipate any issues with this trip. However, with cold weather forecast we are concerned that even a short delay would have a negative impact on the evening tour (particularly as the evening is likely to be colder). We are, of course, mindful of getting people home safely and considered this very carefully when making our decision to cancel.

We know you will be as disappointed as we are not to be running this trip, but we would like to offer you an alternative trip on any of our trains before Christmas at no extra cost, subject to availability, or a full refund.

 

I hate to be cynical, but given that these evening runs have proved hard to fill in the past, without the star billing i cant imagine bookings have been too healthy for either trip. Perhaps its just me, but cancelling one because of a weather forecast this far in advance seems to be pushing credibility a little far...?! Ah well, hardly the crime of the century but it made me chuckle anyway. I hope everyone enjoys their trip.

Chris

 

Nearly booked on the evening run but the predicted return time to London of 22.45 put us off. We had fun last time we tried to get back from London at that time of day on the 11th November. A shame for those booked on it though.

 

I was about to book that trip tonight, but then with the issues with 44932 earlier today, and now I saw the evening is canceled..

 

I was been told last night that SIR NIGEL is coming down

 

Hopefully with Bittern on the 18th. Double headed A4's, yes please.

 

You will not get an A4around Kent because of the loading gauge for the South Eastern lines and double headed A4s - the Civil Engineer would have the vapours over the combined dead weights on his structures!

 

Personally, I can't see 60007 double heading back to KX on Sat 18th. Wouldn't make much sense.

If 44932 is not available next week, then I would guess that 45305 woud cover the Kent trip on Tues 21st in place of 44932, and 60019 would take over the KX - Norwich run - support crews permitting, of course.

What's the load likely to be on Wed 22nd? Could 45305 handle it by herself? If not, then most likely to be a box on the back, unless Ian Riley is able to send 44871 south.

 

Just spoke to steam dream's and they assured me 44932 is being repaired at this moment

 

Did they think it would be on tomorrow's train? Have to be up before the crack of dawn to catch that one, and would hate to then find it with a 47 on the front!!!!

 

There's plenty of 5's about so surely someone's got a spare radius rod?

 

According to the GCR's e-newsletter 45305 is rostered to work Santa trains on the GCR on the 18th & 19th of December, so I would suggest that would rule out using it on any main line trips next week.

 

Ticket letter from Steam Dreams for the Norwich trip says it's 45305.

Also, this page on the 5305LA website which was updated today suggests they still intend going to Canterbury.

http://www.5305la.org.uk/news.aspx?ID=290