CathEx to Scotland 5-7 July 2015

Is that speckulation Stuart?

 

Totally agree Shireman. I too will pay almost anything for pure steam

 

60007 over the Forth more or less on time. Shut off and braked half way across, then powered away towards Dalmeny, with a few whistles thrown in for good measure.

James (now recovering from the climb from South Queensferry to Dalmeny... forgot how nasty that climb is for those on foot!)

 

Sadly nothing of worth last night North of the border, hoping to rectify that with this next shot for today! :

A4 No. 60007 'Sir Nigel Gresley' - Dalgetty Bank by Jonathon Gourlay Photography, on Flickr

 

Dalgety Bay


Crossing the Forth Bridge

James

 

I think Buseng has hit the nail on the head. Although many who don't care will have accepted that a diesel on the back in here to stay, steam fans always fear that a diesel will be attached on a tour even when it sits doing nothing. Although there are many tours where a diesel is no where to be seen (this year so far has been a great one for "no diesel on the back" which is probably why the topic has gone quiet), where there is a risk of a diesel, I will not book a steam tour.

Those tours to aim for are any that are steam double headed or a tour in a spell of very wet weather, or the Torbay Express which even in hot weather has rarely had a diesel in the consist.

 

looks like it was as the link below has it coming back south on Tuesday.
mark
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50606/2015/07/07/advanced

 

Looks to be running at least 40 minutes early north of Newcastle, extended stop in Newcastle Central, according to RTT.

 

That does seem odd - no water stop at Berwick, if RTT is correct.

 

Appears to have vanished off the RTT south of Berwick?

 

Don't panic.... Looks to me like they stopped in Tweedmouth, south of the river, rather than in Berwick loop, north of the station and the river. This is not unusual. I seem to remember the same thing happening on some Great Britain tours. Now shown right-time at Cathill.

 

Think we stopped in the same place with Tornado a while back,, heading south.

 

OK, she's at Newcastle. Now, if she still has the pathing stop just north of Durham then it's to be hoped that the Duff on the back keeps its nose out of steam's business as the climb to Relly Mill is tackled. One can only hope so.

 

Sir Nigel passed Chester le Street, more or less on time 11:05, looking well, 47746 on the rear of the train and 47760 running light engine about 3 minutes behind.

 

60007 ambling along the final few miles of Scottish coast as she passes through Burnmouth this morning.

 

A slightly missed photo as she passed over the road bridge beside the 'Wills' factory near Heaton at 10.22 today. Only problem with this location is no warning of approach and when cruising along in fine style as she was I was lucky to get a shot. I always think this is a bit of an iconic bridge.

 

Quick bit of video taken at Ouston Junction with new GoPro Camera

 

Afternoon Dundee trip top and tailed with the 47's.

 

But if the loco on the front is shoved around all day by the diesel on the back then it isn't really steam on the main line at all. If you wish to pretend that it is then that's up to you.
I've had some great runs with a dead box on the back but I've also had runs ruined by over enthusiastic rear end assistance. Taking premier dining as an example, I'd argue that the £100 level was breached years ago but given the popularity of the dining option, the cost doesn't seem to be deterring many from booking.

Back on topic. Some nice images on here of 60007.

 

I'm not sure of the local significance of that bridge, but I think "iconic" isn't justified. The Forth Bridge, the Royal Albert Bridge over the Tamar, perhaps the High Level Bridge over the Tyne or the Tay Bridge, might justify "iconic", but not an ordinary girder bridge over an unremarkable dual carriageway. Or am I missing something?