Steam Dreams 2023

Ahh that makes sense!

 

Just to confirm still sat here. Conflicting reports but on train staff says right hand motion has suffered a failure preventing the locomotive to move without the motion be disassembled and allowing the loco to free wheel.

 

Now nearly 2300 and people still have to get back to London to get home on last trains. Really hope everyone makes it.

 

Just to confirm we remain here. Torches can be seen all round 70000. There are various reports swinging round. The most common is a crosshead failure on the right hand side of the locomotive. The on train staff have said mechanical issue.

 

I wonder why the passenger coaches could not be/have been (ages ago) uncoupled and taken back to Guildford by the 47, leaving 70000 and support coach in situ. The line would remain blocked but at least the passengers would have a chance of getting home. That chance is rapidly dwindling at this time of night!

 

I somehow don’t think we’ll be getting back by train to our hotel this evening :/

 

I was just going to say the same thing.
Passengers are going to have a very late return to the capital at this rate. The failure is also leading to cancellations of other services and this is what is showing on the cancelled service pages:

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That's not something seen on RTT often! I didn't even know they had a specific 'steam' reason rather than just a failed train. Perhaps there is a reason why the train can't be split but I can't think of one. Surely it should have been removed to Gfd. within, say, half an hour of the failure. It was surely obvious it wasn't going to continue forwards. Armchair reasoning I know...

 

We’re on the move!! Back towards Guilford

 

Is 70000 with you, do you know? Good luck all.

 

Yes, 70000 is still attached (with several parts of the motion removed).

 

That must have been a horrible job in the dark on the main line. At least it wasn't on the third rail section!

 

Have they mentioned a possible eta at Guildford?

 

It's at Shalford Junction now so I imagine around 0015.

 

So we are now say short of Guildford. Word of ongoing talk with Network Rail. Suggesting issues over exactly what to do next.

 

Tonight a trip on LSL/Steam Dreams Sunset Steam Express was in order. Coach B, 10 from the engine, but that didn’t deter from being able to hear the Brit in full flight.

The 47 dragged us out of Victoria right time, round to Kensington Olympia and from there the steam took charge. Not a rumble out of the diesel. People say LSL never let the steam do it all, well I beg to differ. Britannia worked hard to drag the 11 + 47 rear gunner around on a beautiful evening in the Surrey Hills.

Clapham was a marvel as the Class 7 dragged us right accross the point work, whistling away, and on through the station. The Brit sounded excellent up front. Could be heard from way back and that whistle ringing round was superb.

Sadly somewhere around Shalford the Brit suffered a mechanical fault. A delay ensued whilst a decision was made on what to do. The decision taken that the Brit couldn’t move us forward and the 47 would take us back via Guildford. The LSL/SD staff onboard kept us informed ta every single moment possible. If there was an update we knew straight away. Drinks were offered whilst we waited and most of all those onboard made us the priority. Anything was no trouble, as had been the same all evening.

And then Jeremy Hosking, who was onboard the train with guests, walked through. He talked to every passenger, made sure everyone was okay, explained in as much detail as possible what has happened and removed everyone’s bar bill from their table. He told us anything we needed was on the house, and was happy to chat all things LSL.

The food was absolutely superb. Exquisite infact. The service absolutely first rate. The drinks, flowing! A perfect evening, and for the price paid, a very worthwhile one.

And just a note from me….Luckily we had the diesel on the rear. The situation without would have been incredibly dire. We were in a pitch black cutting at the time, little phone signal and no lighting at all except the train lights. We would almost certainly have been there longer without the 47. People may not like the tail end Charlie, but it’s bloody useful!

People on here call me Mr LSL, well this is no false or biased review, just simply what I saw. 10/10.

 

Can anyone confirm what ended up happening? Was 70000 detached at Guildford and run back to Southall alone?

 

There was absolutely no way was Britannia powering itself for any move that’s for sure. When we left Guildford station at 0035 it was still sat in the platform with the whole train.

 

If she broke like they said she did she will not be running back to Southall alone.