Steam Dreams 2023

Would be nice, but, a) there doesn't seem to be another steam loco available at the moment and b) the cost of another steam loco and crew might be prohibitive for the fares charged (plus the extra watering issues with two steams on what is a relatively intensive service being run).

 

Possibly but it somehow doesn't feel like that to me - probably just an (optimistic) error!

 

I think that 45231 will be facing into London following its last trip to Winchester. There does not appear to be a turning move on the ECS into Victoria on Friday so I guess you are right - steam hauled INTO Victoria.

 

It make sense, as it means the families can see the steam engine without having to walk all the way up the platform. And given they'll probably want the passengers to board straight away, there wouldn't be time for that. The same thing applies to VT Polar Express runs

 

I agree it is the way Polar works at Swanage, hence the turning of Eddystone, and from what I have seen on YouTube the same happens at the Spa Valley with the loco being at the Exit end at T.W. I also expect Victoria is happier not to have masses of folks maybe not railway aware at the far end of the platform where it is narrower, although it is a long time since I have been on P7 if that is what they do use on the day.

 

I seem to remember a couple of years ago it was a class 33 on the front from Victoria, which, with 61306 not contributing, had a task climbing Grosvenor Bank! See here:

 

Just wondering what stock the Santas will be using this year. As we know, Steam Dreams have been using the Saphos set for most, if not all trips this year. However as there is a Saphos trip from Gloucester to Canterbury on Saturday and the stock for that comes directly from Crewe they can't be using the Saphos set. I see there is an ECS move from Eastleigh tomorrow - is that the stock for the Santa Express?

 

It’s the mash up set that ran ECS with the 47 the other day. Got a couple of Intercity coaches in, etc

 

Mainly made up of Mk2s, has Ex DRS blue mk2s in it too, I think one mk1

 

I have been informed that the stock is ‘heavily decorated’, it hasn’t come from a source that I know to be reliable so does anyone have any further information?

 

As far as I understand the below image shows the set. Thats what I’ve been told by an LSL bod.

 

Thanks, I know it’s the Eastleigh set but I heard from a contact that it’s at Southall heavily decorated, whatever that means. He didn’t see it himself so I don’t know have reliable that information is. If it’s vinyl Santas all over the coaches I won’t bother going out

 

Probably from this quote John. ''47.712 with a mixed rake of MK2 coaches with Xmas decorations in the windows etc on 5Z30 1248 Eastleigh Arlington (Zg) to Southall''

Thanks to the Basingstoker. <BJ>

 

Thanks, it may be. That’s more reliable than the third hand message I got. Still not sure if it’s worth going out for

 

I had assumed that "heavily decorated" meant covered in graffiti! I didn't realise LSL kept any stock at Eastleigh - does this set actually belong to them?

 

Yes it does. I think it’s kept at Eastleigh fir working in the south. I thought that’s what it may have meant too

 

It was not kept at Eastleigh, it was moved down there recently to join up with the DRS mk2s which were there to have work done I assume

 

The late morning run seen at Barnes, with 11 coaches (in various liveries!) plus an idling 47 making a substantial load.

 

RTT shows most if not all of these Santa Steam Express runs routed through P2 at Clapham Junction. I thought that was not connected from the up direction and fitted with a set of stops. However I have not been there since before the gift the Chinese gave to the world that keeps on giving, so things may have changed I guess in the last few years.

 

No, still true - and rather busy with TfL services!