CathEx 15th Dec 60163 Ashford to Norwich

Started a new thread.

 

0925 thru Denmark Hill, about 7 mins late (there's been a bit of traffic this am)
67022 on the rear
60163 working quite hard through here


FYI 92003 in section behind the train, light engine has horrendous wheel flats.

 

And 66084 behind that !

59001+( 59003 ?) also on frt going opposite direction.

I'll come to this station again

 

Just passed Stevenage 21 late - bit of a stop - start trip so far. Maybe the water stop will result in picking up a few minutes.

 

Went through Shepherd's Bush Overground around 0958 where it found Michael Buble steaming of a White Christmas...(apologies)

Steamy Michael Buble | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ianwylie/8273902631/in/photostream/lightbox/

 

Diesel was turned off, and unmanned, steam comes off at Battersea Loop on the return. An extra water stop was taken at Oakleigh Park (10.47-10.58), short water stop at Coldham Lane Jn (12.09-12.20), on time by Ely, and then held at Norwich Trowse Jn from 13.34 to 14.02.

 

67022 and Tornado at Ely (12.45pm ish)

 

There a lot of that sort of thing going on at the moment - curtailing the steam haulage. I'm guessing that this is due to DBS crewing issues?7

Seems a bit unfair on the punters though as Steam Dreams tours are generally advertised as steam haulage throughout.

 

May not be a crew issue, it's easier to take Tornado off at Battersea so it can go back to Southall rather than run all the way through back to Ashford. Plus with it being diesel hauled then the stock can more than likely be stabled overnight in that area and then possibly head back to Eastleigh tomorrow.

Still a very long day for the support crew though.....

 

It was ticking over as it passed Denmark Hill outbound, though definitely not applying power.

 

It's far easier for Tornado to stay at Southall depot all day and the tour be diesel hauled.
Unless a railtour runs into operating problems during the day it should run as advertised. <BJ>

 

I do tend to agree, if you plan to do the whole job.. It should be that.
if everyone's feeling tired and needs to knock off early.. Then advertise the tour as such.

if it was steam to / from Southall to x... No big deal.
if its steam throughout, but then your short changed, well that's like ordering a Gucci and finding it was a Chinese knock off.