RTC 2025

And back in the day the Wallers Ash to Weston loop was, at 1.5 miles long no small yard as it could hold two trains. And was used on occasions for a slow moving train to be held to let faster trains pass.

Bryna - where should I stick my just earned Blue Peter badge please? - B

 

It held the freight which prevented 34001 reaching 100 down the bank during the last week of steam. The freight had been put in front of 34001 on the 245 am down from Worting but looped at Weston. The max was 98 mph after some amazing acceleration. Oh for gps to confirm the ton that some timers claimed

The current day loop is shorter but still long enough for the longest FTL I believe

DB

 

Today I decided to chase Eddy’s first mainline outing in over 60 years and what a wonderful job the team at SLL have done with her. Can’t wait to see her at head of many RTC services to come!

 

Timings for this Saturdays Stratford Flyer
Still no mention on allocated steam for the duty

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...6/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt&toc=WR

 

Now been changed to have steam to Swanage and diesel from Swanage back to Southampton

 

If it is going to be 34028 somewhat more of an event for us locals to have it at the front of the train rather than on the back of a diesel hauled train I suspect.
But that is only a guess on my part.

 

Just been updated to say 45212.

 

Aren't the RTC Swanage runs normally steam at the front running out from London, then diesel back as far as Southampton, then steam again running back to London via Redbridge, Romsey and Andover? Avoids the obvious problem of needing to turn the loco for the return trip.

 

They were up to the last one, where there was no steam available in the end, but was due to diesel in, steam out of Swanage. On the RTC website this one was always steam into Swanage although the RTT timings originally had it the other way around.
The DCE's of course switched to steam out of Weymouth, rather than into, a couple of years back.

 

An interesting bit of track on 20 September - the Cannock Chase line. Definitely one for the book.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...0/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt&toc=WR

 

The return of 45212 to it's main line activities - here on The Stratford Flyer, captured during the water stop at Whittlesea, Cambridgeshire. This was a brief 15 minutes - during which I hadn't anticipated the level crossing remaining closed to road traffic, probably a result of the change in signalling and the removal of the semaphores. Consequently this wasn't the planned filming location - but nevertheless an opportunity to film the departure at close quarters. The slightly late arrival and departure caused a similar delay to the following Norwich to Liverpool service.

 

Lots of unhappy driver s& pedestrians I guess at the level crossing.
Mind you on one of the Lincoln Christmas Market trips we had a wheelchair passenger in the half brake, which was way off that short platform at Lincoln. We has to get permission to pull the train forward to get the brake on the platform and thus block the level crossing for about 10 minutes. Bearing in mind the weekend it was you can imagine the chaos we caused.

 

Not my best contribution from today, some lessons learnt indeed, but alas one for the record and given the little time remaining on 45212’s ticket ought to be something!
Captured at Syston & Leicester

 

C

Cock on!

 

I saw on Rail Advent that 45212 has broken down yet again and the return journey is to be Diesel Hauled. Anyone know what happened?

 

Have heard from a friend with ‘source’ that 45212 has failed, not sure what with but i believe it’s been dumped at Tyseley, unless proven otherwise

 

If it is true, isn't it a bit concerning that it didn't have a full loaded test before reentering service, Am I right that it just did an engine and coach run to Hellifield and back, and not a full circuit? Normally Ian's engines are ultra reliable, I'm wondering is too much being expected of him, and his engines, due to WC's engine shortages?

 

45212 at Hatton and Danzey today

 

Unfortunately the situation is that WCR by their own fault are short of locos and if one breaks it has to be rushed back out again, not always with the proper amount of testing. Had this been a few years ago and 45212 had kept failing they would have just pulled it out for overhaul early which is what the loco clearly needs but WCR can't do without it due to the mess they've created.

 

Having hurried up from Heathrow it was bit disappointing to find the train was around 90 minutes late leaving Stratford. The loco certainly sounded ok as Matt's video showed.