Steam Dreams 2022

Wow - ECS 102L at Bath Spa! RTT also briefly showed the return working to Victoria as "cancelled at operator's request", but even that cancellation now seems to have disappeared! Sounds like a major issue has arisen.

 

It’s been reinstated according to chatter on Railcam & will be running, albeit very late.

Many thanks

Ben

 

Yes, RTT shows it having left 115L BUT with the "Cancelled at Operator's Request" also reinstated in the train details! So, simultaneously cancelled and en route. I wonder if NR can help with a more direct route from Staines to Victoria rather than via North Pole, etc. (assuming it's cleared for the route)?

 

We were waiting for it at Keynsham and heard it was apparently due to a delay on the coal delivery.

 

Question is will it at Reading go Earley or go straight down Mainline via Twyford


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I assume they'll want to drop off the Staines passengers, but could then perhaps be given a more direct route to Victoria than North Pole.

 

Good to meet you. I was the guy with the (wet) video camera and heavy solid tripod. [BJ]

 

Yes - very unfortunate. Hope all can get home OK from Victoria.

 

Commiserations!
As a local I frequent Reading West quite regularly. It's a handy location, but the frequency of trains does make this a high risk. I've had a few instances myself, and more than a handful of near misses. Better luck next time!

 

Thanks - for humour value here is the clip:

 

A great performance from the A4 all round, even when they were late the crew still were merry on the chime whistle! Seen at Virginia Water, Reading, Oldfield Park, Keynsham and Cholsey:

 

You get about don't you! Yes, it seems as though a potential disaster (the brief RTT showing of the return being cancelled) was averted and Victoria was reached at a time when people could still get home OK.

 

All for the love of steam!

 

My small offering from Hungerford Common.

 

Any news on the Southend to Chichester trip on Friday?

 

I put the RTT times up at post 236.

 

We all know that water and coal can often delay a tour. I do wonder on a cold December evening when there was a diesel in the consist if it was a good idea to leave the passengers waiting for nearly 2 hours. I suspect like most delays they were told not to wander far from the station. Especially as I was told the loco was only in light steam on the way back with the diesel doing all the work (not sure if that was the case).

 

No doubt it was needed, but surprised coal would be needed to be taken on what was not a particularly long or arduous itinerary?

 

You were misinformed. I saw the tour pass Keynsham and the A4 was working flat out with the diesel simply ticking over. See TheModster's excellent video. <BJ>