RTC 2023

Cheers David,

 

Times appeared on Real Time Trains overnight, heard her whistle through Knebworth while at work this morning.

 

They appeared on Open Train Times about 11pm last night and RTT a bit later. Very frustrating they were so late, especially when you've got the mother-in-law calling you because the care home she works at wants to take some of the residents out to see it!

Anyway, passing Bygrave near Baldock running a few minutes late. Not the greatest shot, my little boy didn't want to get out of the car due to the amount of bees flying around so a quick phone shot from the car window.

 

I did not. The movements on RTT didn't suggest it was coming back through the station to be serviced. It wasn't until I saw the water tanker in the car park that I realised it would be turning up there. Made for an interesting afternoon.

 

Got this cracker of 47802 about an hour ago.

 

The timing's are being held back due to concerns over trespass, etc.

Each region has its own policy, I believe, so LNE held back as long as possible.

Sent from my SM-S908B using Tapatalk

 

You have Bees? I think I’ve only seen a couple this year, was it as bad as the Michael Caine film in Hertfordshire?

With my knowledge of ‘trains’ I had a few people ask me yesterday ‘when’s it coming through?’
I totally understand the trespass issue, but it does seem to go from one extreme to the other.

 

Understandable but equally as frustrating!

 

It’s a tricky one with the timings, the local crematorium in Knebworth put on Facebook last night that their carpark will be open today and you can drive in and watch Flying Scotsman pass, except they are next to the Hertford Loop which was the original route, except with the change of day a few weeks ago evidently came a change of route today, except no-one knew for sure and potentially there were a lot of disappointed people this morning who at best would of only heard it a mile or so west.

 

The plan was for the train to be serviced in the East Yard but due to logistics with the tanker and coal truck, we made the decision the night before to do the extra shunts and service at the west end where it did. Made it a lot more simple even with the extra moves and pleased a lot of people in the process.

 

Me and my mate who parked his car in said car park included! Did wonder why there was no sign of the movement, but it was nice to see the engine being serviced up close, you don't get that often, the NRM siding at York being the only place that comes to mind. Good stuff from all involved

 

'Flying Scotsman' climbing the 1 in 200 away from Langley Junction (Stevenage) towards Knebworth tonight with the return 'The Great Yarmouth Flyer'...


https://www.flickr.com/photos/alts1985/52996478446/

 

Just managed the one shot today, 60103 departing Great Yarmouth on the line to Acle with much assistance from the back.

 

Going past the office earlier, 47802 seemed to be doing most of the work, understandable seeing how dry the ground is in parts of Cambs at the moment though.

 

Going past the office earlier, again with the Brush doing most of the work! Not surprising though with Harringay flyover to contend with.

 

Timings for 60103's trip to York on Friday.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U66117/2023-06-30/detailed

What an absolute stagger. 7 hrs 20 minutes to cover 195 miles or so. Knock off the 2 hrs 50 mins of water stops and pathing and it's about 4 hrs 30 mins running, which isn't too bad.

 

Plenty of time to serve what I assume will be breakfast and lunch to the diners.

 

60103 currently 36 minutes down passing Biggleswade. 47812 giving a decent shove on the rear to try and make up time. A3 sounded good though. 57012 running light engine in front - usually one of the ECML Thunderbirds so might be on trespass watch.

 

Bridge Road Stevenage this morning, working resonably hard with diesel assistance of course - still been hardly any rain here of note for months now...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/alts1985/53012236131/in/dateposted-public/