Sussex Christmas Belle: 12/12/17

I had thought that 70013 was running from Victoria to Eastbourne and back tomorrow, but I can't find any reference to it here - has this also been cancelled (because the weather forecast is bright sunshine and calm all day!)?

 

I hope it is running cos I'm supposed to be on it!

 

I hope not. Still shown as running on UK Steam, RTC Website and RTT. No obvious reason to cancel it. I live just over 500ft above sea level on the High Weald and we've had a light covering of snow but nothing to get excited about. Lower down, it has just been rain, so my wife informs me. Everyone knows it's going to be cold tonight so if the de-icers do their stuff, it should be OK - here's hoping anyway!

 

!!

I just found it odd that there's not been a single word about it here (at least as far as I have been able to find in the last few minutes). The weather is set to be superb - sunny, frosty all day and calm/very light wind.

 

There's been quite a lot of discussion of this tour in the general RTC 2017 thread - all the usual stuff about gauging, locos, whether the advertised route is feasible - but it's not had a thread of its own until now

 

What often happens is that nobody says a dickie bird about a steam tour in the lead up to to it and on the day, so long as everything is ok.
But if something, anything goes wrong; then there are pages of: sack Network Rail/ close down WCR/ hang the driver/ put the support crew into stocks/crucify the FTR examiner etc.

 

Or maybe the mods should split out the individual tours from generic operators threads. That would be more useful and discussion would be focussed and maybe more constructive/instructive rather than being buried in a plethora of many tours.

 

Don't forget pages of "thats why I only use UKRT/Vintage Trains/RTC". or "The MNPS is too good for that to happen".

 

Any news this morning? Anyone passed Southall depot? Loco in steam? ECS due to set out about 9 am.

 

5Z70 ECS Southall Depot - Victoria shown with a second schedule (VSTP) to run via Willesden No.7 Jn.
This will turn the train formation compared to the STP schedule with a direct route via Willesden South West Sidings.

VSTP? - Very Short Term Plan. ie Under Control arrangements.

Cheers, Neil

 

Thanks Neil. Appears to be on its way: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/O51706/2017/12/12/advanced

 

Going well through the frost at Stoats Nest Bridge...

 

On time and looking great at Endlewick Farm crossing, near Berwick. Sun starting to haze over now, but it was shining when it mattered! Sorry for lack of photo.

 

70013 at redhill footbridge

 

Glorious weather, magnificent Balcombe Ouse Valley Viaduct, and a Brit in full flow.

 

A shot I'm not convinced has actually worked... but I don't really know why!

70013 dashes across the Ouse Valley Viaduct.



James

 

Works very well... you left the diesel in the trees

 

I think it is a cracking shot James (although it would fail the Railway Herald "must show the full train" rule).

 

I nearly went to Redhill but changed my mind and decided on Hooley. It seems to have been a good choice as 70013 appears to have coasted through Redhill, while she was working very hard at Hooley. I also noticed that the trailing diesel had no red lights visible at all - a pretty severe operating transgression!

 

Indeed, but RH does stipulate that the rear may be obscured by a suitable feature - this case, the trees. A beautiful shot I think. I gave up with RH as they simply rejected too many shots for spurious and inconsistent reasons, and it became tedious.