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RTC 2025

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by 2857Harry, Sep 7, 2024.

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  1. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    There is a certain irony in the fact that a typical Brighton to Victoria service takes about 62 minutes with stops at Haywards Heath and Gatwick. That is four minutes slower than the time I have covered the route twice with steam, non stop of course. So, in theory a steam service could sit ahead of a Gatwick Express and take up very little track space. The stops of the service train would keep it behind steam as the GX takes 30 min to leave Gatwick whilst steam has typically done it in 25/26. All of this counts for nothing, of course, as other services are also in the vicinity but personally, I don't 'buy' the view that something quick on the Brighton main line is impossible. Where there's a will....
     
    Big Al, Nov 11, 2025 at 11:26 AM
    #721
  2. Gunslinger1948

    Gunslinger1948 New Member

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    Suspect its a case of playing safe on the part of NR. Although a steam locomotive could and probably would manage it with ease, with such an intensive service any sort of failure could be immensely disruptive.
    Personally I'd love to see a steam trip through the Thameslink or East London Line tunnels in London, both would have seen steam on freight services well into the 1950s, but it won't happen for much the same reasons.
     
    Gunslinger1948, Nov 11, 2025 at 11:57 AM
    #722
  3. 35B

    35B Nat Pres stalwart

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    I think the chances of steam through Thameslink are sub-zero because of the loading gauge limits there, even if a path could be found.
     
    35B, Nov 11, 2025 at 12:16 PM
    #723
  4. Romsey

    Romsey Part of the furniture

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    Starting from Victoria Eastern and running via Tulse Hill and Crystal Palace probably adds 15 minutes to the Victoria - Haywards Heath journey time. Then there is 10 minutes at Balcombe Tunnel Jn waiting for a path on the two track section. Additional trains should be bid into white space avoiding any alterations to other operators services.

    Cheers, Neil
     
    Romsey, Nov 11, 2025 at 2:47 PM
    #724
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