34067. 'Capital Christmas Express'. 17-11-2012

34067 'Tangmere'. Weymouth to London. Saturday, 17th November, 2012.

Actual timings now available from RTC. <BJ>

Capital Christmas Express

 

Hoping to see it depart on Saturday morning before having to set off for a commitment up country. (SLS Meeting Kidderminster) Also note from Uk steam that the stock is coming down on Friday afternoon and going out on Sunday about lunch time. Unfortunately the BBC advance weather forecast doesn't look that good for photos other than Sunday for the ECS departure and for that Tangmere will be on the back.

 

Tangmere seen in charge of empty coaching stock at Kennet Bridge stop on time (ie) just before Reading)) !

 

Winchester 13:59, 47786 leading

James at SVN

 

Strange where did 47786 go on the train as pix my mate showed me at work it wasn't there !
Unless that's why it stopped there !

 

If Tangmere was leading, chimney first, at Reading, then they will have had to turn the train somewhere, because she needs to be on the back of the train, facing "up" by tomorrow morning. Maybe they pulled up beyond Reading West curve and reversed there? Or maybe the picture you saw was of Tangmere on the back of the train? Was there a headlight or a tail-light on the buffer beam?

 

Its just passed my study window at Dorchester Jc at 15:35, with 47 leading, then ECS and finally 34067 running tender first at the rear.

David

 

It's a side on pix so can't tell but you could be correct !
Mates gone home for day now so might never know now, being old I might forget !

 

Interesting observation at Weymouth tonight. Went over shopping and saw they were watering up a short way down the Harbour Branch. Wonder when the last time was that a steam hauled train was on the branch?

 

Loco + coach so did equal a train

 

Away from Weymouth ok. Very quiet ascent of the bank though through Upwey. Suspect lots of diesel assistance to avoid slips as the rails will be damp

 

Away from Poole 7 late.

James at SVN

 

10:00
Stalled on Parkestone bank. waiting for diesel assistance.

 

Oh dear...thats nasty. lets hope for quick sorting, don't want to cause delays on that line. Planned to go to Twyford to see her 'storming through' , thanks so much for the update so far, assume will run well late Pete

 

https://twitter.com/SW_Trains/status/269747281945845760 I presume - oops?

 

Friend on board says leaves on line and they've been stuck for "an hour." Message was timed at 10:26.

 

The 09:03 South West Trains service from Weymouth - Waterloo that was stuck behind Tangmere has now been cancelled. <BJ>

 

Well with trains scheduled through there about every 8-9 minutes I believe, this is a MAJOR MAJOR problem and a massive pile up of trains waiting...somewhere !! ?? ?? Awful stuff....wheres the diesel..can it get there ???

 

From SW Trains at 10.34:
"A rescue train is now being attached to the steam train to help it progress on it's journey."

 

Damn, I was just getting ready to get out and film, lord knows what the timings will be now, even if it will get up here t' smoke. Why the hell wasnt the growler on the back anyway, come on guys leaves fall about this time of year, the weather forecast said it would be wet, and you have light footed Tangmere up front. You wouldn't have bet money against this would you.

keep up the progress reports guys....