The Lincoln Imp - Saturday 14 July 2012

Some lovely footage and shots....my effort at Sleaford North junction

The Lincoln Imp with 70013 'Oliver Cromwell' at Sleaford North junction. | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Simon

Flickr: FlyingScotsman4472's Photostream

 

I do like that photo.

I was on this train and it was an immaculate performance by Ollie and her crew. Punctual to the minute and a highlight of 80 mph down Stoke Bank on the return.
It had even stopped raining and the sun was out by the time we got to Lincoln!!

Dave

 

It's totally irresponsible to quote speeds such as that on a open forum. Moderators, can you remove such posts, please.
Andover

 

Yes, that's a great photo, and the videos posted look excellent too. 80 mph down Stoke Bank sounds exciting but I bet we won't see that recorded on Mr. Notley's "Top Link" log, if indeed he's going to feature this train.

 

I stand to be corrected but IIRC under certain circumstances the 75 limit may be exceed by up to 10% with the footplate inspectors say so. 80 is well within that 10%. Perhaps someone who knows the rules could comment.

 

I'm sorry you've lost me, what have I said wrong?

Dave

 

Quoting the maximum speed it would seem. You have to remember that the NatPres Thought Police are watching our every move.

 

I understood from articles in Steam Railway that that only applied on loaded test runs with no passengers aboard but I could be wrong. I can't say I've seen a speed above 78mph published for any railtour anywhere other than when referring to runs before the end of BR steam.

 

Quoting speeds above 75mph.

 

Reading this and other posts am I right in assuming that there is a limit on speed for steam on the main line (75mph?).
If so, I was totally unaware of such a restriction.

Dave

 

As all main line approved locomotives have to be fitted with On Train Monitoring Recorders now, wouldn't all the ACTUAL speeds of this train have been recorded, and be visible already to anyone important wishing to make an issue of any overspeed ?

Seems to me anyone at NR is far more likely to learn of any speeding that way than by reading Nat Pres forums.

 

Just because a GPS gives a reading of 80 mph does not mean the train was doing 80 mph. Much fuss about nothing!

 

Quite agree its a fuss about nothing, but do we know for sure that records of this speed being achieved came from a GPS device ?

 

This is all a bit of over reaction, me thinks! On this forum over the years, many posters, me included, have reported speeds higher than 75mph. Mike Notley often refers in his logs to speeds of around 78mph and this has not led to wholesale sacking of steam crews or inspectors.

In steam preservation, notable high speeds have been widely acknowledged within the railway authorities. When 60009 did just shy of 100mph down Wellington Bank (100mph was showing on the loco's speedo) on the occasion of the retirement of the man on the regulator, the footplate inspector was well and truly bollo**ed by the Railtrack chief (Steve Mcoll??) at Taunton while at the same time discreetly shaking him by the hand!! A moment I witnessed and will cherish forever. And then Taw Valley tore through Winchester at 89mph a few years ago. Me and Mike Notley were on the train and it was an absolute thrill. When asked at Weymouth (very quietly) Mike was told by the driver that the speedo must have got stuck at 75mph which drew a wry smile from those around the cab!! Needless to say, Mike did not publish the speed at Winchester!

So as usual, let us keep things in perspective. No one is going to get sacked or torn a strip for doing 80mph. Even us as drivers on the motorway are allowed 10mph over the 70mph limit. It is hardly irresponsible to do so.

 

That is such an unusual photograph; really like it \pete

 

Just to say many thanks for all the positive comments regarding my shot of 70013 at Sleaford North junction. I was stood on the road bridge (A17) to get the height with the usual shouts from the cars passing by regarding those of us that photograph steam trains, each to their own I say. So many thanks for all the kind comments much appreciated,cheers Simon.

Flickr: FlyingScotsman4472's Photostream

 

I think the thought police are more concerned than the moderators.
If network rail etc were concerned i am sure they will be in touch in due course, we will of course act then.

 

One point of discussion on the train yesterday was whether the Sleaford avoiding line is still used. The tracks look very rusty and we wondered if it is now disused. If not we couldn't quite see the point of going through Sleaford which is a rather slow and twisty route, other than to give the assembled faithful on the station a view of a steam train.

Does anyone know?

 

I stand to be corrected but a fellow photographer told me yesterday that the avoiding line will soon be reinstated. The line is closed every Sunday for NR to carry out the work which will eventually result in the closure of all the signalboxes on this stretch of the line.I'm sure someone out there with more knowledge will be able to fill us in with more details.

 

The Sleaford avoider is only usable southbound, the northbound line has been out of use for many years. But as Simon mentions, it will be brought back into use next year as part of the resignalling of the joint line.