61306 Mayflower - Cathedrals Express (Sapperton Return) 24-09-15

That is very fine indeed - well done.

 

Thanks, Guildford always a busy station so lucky to miss passing service trains and get a bit of sun.

 

2018 is the crunch-time, apparently, when various new timetables and franchises come into play. It won't be the end of mainline steam, but it might be the end of it unassisted on the busiest routes. Kent Yeti and others have predicted various alternatives, including more tours like the RTC Winter CME, with modern traction from London through the "pinch points" to a suitable change-over place, steam over a less busy and more scenic route, then the modern loco back home in the evening. But we digress from todays CathEx...

 

Maybe not pushing at Guildford but judging by the vid, it was certainly pushing out of Sandhust!

 

I bet you all the tea in China that steam will not be relegated to secondary routes in 2018. I predict business as usual although weekday tours might be somewhat restricted. I know about bets. I bet £10 on Japan beating South Africa, just for fun. I did okay. Ha ha!

 

Yeah, but it's already being relegated by stealth isn't it? Look at the ridiculous time it now takes to get to Peterborough on the ECML. A few years ago we used to get to York in under 4 hours. And any train on the Southern is odds on non-steam assisted. All this is happening despite earlier and earlier starts that means most of us from the west and south west can't get anywhere near London without overnight stays and to be honest it ain't worth the risk. We were so close to booking today but erred on the side of caution assuming there would be 10 coaches which under the current regime would necessitate the addition of a non-steam device on the back of the train to spoil yet another day out. We used to travel 9 or 10 times a year with SD but this year we've only been out twice and luckily got two trains Mayflower was allowed to haul on her own.

 

Thats why two Black Fives is the answer?......we dont have 'assistance' when our two work charters, as the two fives will do anything within reason?..

 

Footage from the climb up Sapperton, as well as a shot at Shrivenham from Tuesday's run.

 

I have no idea, nor do I enquire others business, but both RTC and SD receive a generous discount for two of our locos as opposed to twice the cost of one loco?

We are coming to that time of the year when adverse railhead conditions will come into play.....................

 

So glad I did the box free ascent of Sapperton back in March.

 

Brilliant sight and sound through Earley in the dusk. No sound from the back; let out of Reading BEFORE the Waterloo electric so if the rest of the journey subject to kind signalmen, could be an early arrival back. We shall see.

 

My shot of her at the foot crossing just before the tunnel at Sapperton.

 

Yes, haven't we all been caught out like that from time to time!

Never mind. Lovely weather and lots of birds flying around.

 

Yes now exactly how does the safety crack when going up sapperton? Pay attention and answer at the back please

 

Being shoved nicely by a Class 47..

 

Here is Mayflower cracking open the Safety Valve, just as it was building into a classic soundtrack.



Have to say I was disappointed.

 

Would of been a great shot at Crowthorne, coming over the summit I reckon ! Still at least you got some smoke !