Saphos 2025

I was planning to go to Maidstone for my first shot. Assuming you would get it in Kent, it leaves Norwich at 06:08 so there is a fair chance we will find out if the diesel is on the front.

 

It will always have a diesel on the front out of Norwich. Surely the question for you both is does it stay there at Acton Lane when the steam joins.

 

Seen comments elsewhere its top and tailed diesels leaving Norwich - 57311 & 47593 (not sure which is leading - 57311 has lead the ECS down to Norwich today I believe).

 

Edit
As it reverses at Acton Lane should have said does the one that was on the back out of Norwich stay there.

 

That’s annoying. It leaves Acton at 09:59 which doesn’t give me much time to get to Maidstone. Also, I need to know what’s on the front.

 

Normally they take a support coach with the steam loco from Southall to Acton, so chances are there won't be a diesel tucked in. Braunton is still at WSR so it's extremely likely to be the Brit tomorrow.

 

If it’s topped and tailed from Norwich I think that indicates that the diesel on the back will stay there otherwise there is no point in having it. I think it’s fire risk red for much of Kent this week.

 

Saphos ECS moves are normally T & T are they not and the ECS at Norwich tomorrow morning reverses at Thorpe Junction. Could you even still propel from there into the station? I think I may have stewarded a tour that did, but many years ago.
So if it was not a fire risk time the one on the back from Norwich would be the one being removed at Acton Lane where there is another reversal.
My guess one on the back and one behind the loco.

 

I think the general rule is that you can propel past two signals but sometimes that can be changed by local arrangements. If I’m wrong I’m sure some of the professional railwaymen on here will correct me

 

70000 approaching West Malling. I had been /still am fighting yet another Windows 10 update all morning and so I was late being ready to go out. And coupled with uncertainty as to how the train would be formed I photographed it one mile from home.

So just a basic shot, but it's main line steam in drought year 2025 and in sunshine and with no diesel in shot.

There was a very shiny sort of coach on the back, shorter than a normal passenger carriage but with no windows and what seemed to be some sort of vents on the top. So I presume that is where anyone having a hot curry today has to eat their meal.

It was quite late earlier one, but with a 60 mph schedule once 70000 took over, it looked to be running not that far off normal speed down the long bank towards West Malling station. So making up time.

Bryan

 

Can't really do that as the loco has a support coach behind it. They did slot in a diesel behind the steam loco on the last Kingswear run but that is easier since the steam loco does not bring a support coach for that particular trip

 

Video.
The Golden Arrow, 70000 Britannia, 14th May 2025.
Filmed at Sturry.

 

Nice shot.

How did you avoid getting camera shake as the train passed?

Bryan

 

The camera has stabilisation software.

 

From memory trains can propel past one running signal only. I'm not certain about how many subsidiary (shunt) signals can be passed.
Cheers, Neil

 

Yes I thought @torgormaig had said one signal sometime last year. Do not think shunt signals were mentioned.

 

I don't know about rules in general or what local ones may apply at Norwich, but I have been on a railtour to Norwich which propelled out of the station once the passengers were off and in due course propelled back in.

 

This Wednesday's Edinburgh Summer Explorer will now be diesel hauled throughout, due to the ongoing fire risk. The statement below was put on the Saphos website this afternoon.

As a result of the prolonged period of extremely dry weather in recent weeks, Network Rail have now imposed a full ban on Steam Locomotive operations within their Northwest Zone of the network due to the increased fire risk. Our train will still operate as scheduled to the confirmed timings and route. However, the train will now be hauled by our preserved heritage diesel locomotives throughout. – Guests booked on this journey should check their email inbox for more detailed information.

 

45118 currently en route to Carlisle to work the "steam" leg tomorrow.

 

What was originally meant to work the steam leg?