Aberdonian 2021

I believe before the turntable was classed outside station limits so a diesel was required.

 

4 hour trips.....that was not the case last year was it? Was it not the case that the steam services, in pure duration, were running faster than the SR services due to lack of stopping?

8 hours of running this year as opposed to 3 hours last year....that cannot be right?

 

The total time on the train looks pretty similar in 2019 and 2021 at around nine hours, but distributed differently between out and back--- no 40 min dwell at Thornton Jct outbound this year, but half an hour at Perth on the return. See Six Bells.

 

Return on 11/09 is via Forth Bridge, the only trip to have done so (due to works between Linlithgow and Haymarket that day. ECS goes on Friday afternoon to Joppa for this reason also and the diesel ECS to Bo’ness on Saturday night goes via Livingston South, this can also be attributed to not being topped and tailed with Tornado!)

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U91111/2021-09-11/detailed

 

RTT shows the ECS going back to Bo'ness via Livingston South and Shotts https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U91114/2021-09-11/detailed

Tornado has of course done the Shotts line, in 2010.

 

Tornado goes to Joppa Straight after the last run rather than back to Bo’ness:
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U91113/2021-09-11/detailed

Then travels south to Carnforth on Sunday 12th September:
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U91115/2021-09-12/detailed

 

Looking at RTT, last Thursday's run (2 Sep) seems to have had a nice run from Aberdeen to Dundee in about 84 minutes. Any reports from those on board?

Following cancellation of the Inverness trip, LNER offer of Kings Cross - Edinburgh £20 each way and prospect of a floodlit return over the Forth Bridge, I've booked myself on the Sat 11 Sep trip.

 

Saturday Timings.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U91105/2021-09-11/detailed

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U91111/2021-09-11/detailed

 

Today we have load 10 and no diesel. Cracking start from Waverley, but soon caught up stopper.

 

Tornado seems to be in good fettle. Once stopper turned off for Dunfermline Tornado opened up, 40 mph on the 1:100 thro Dalgetty Bay and 44 at the summit.

From 60 thro Kirkcaldy was holding 55 past Sinclairtown on the climb to Dysart, then checked by another stopper ahead.

Now in Thornton loop for lengthy pathing stop.

 

Nice sprint from Perth to Invergowrie in 21m 01s with 74 max.

Delayed at Dundee by 170 on Glasgow - Aberdeen which arrived on time just after us but left 11 mins late.

So we left 11 mins late ourselves, no hurry at first due to long block sections, anticipated check at Carnoustie duly ensued, 68 max after East Haven when we finally got going.

Thro Arbroath in 23m 11s at the regulation 20mph. Took it easy aftetwards as there's a Montrose - Inverurie unit which follows the GLQ - ABD. Another check inevitable, down to 11mph on the descent from Usan.

Thro Montrose in 44m 06s at 43 mph and nice climb past the former Kinnaber Jn at 41 mph minimum. Easy running until clear signals after Laurencekirk 56s 47s at 60 mph, with max 74 at Fordoun. Check to 48 approaching Carmont, easy down to Stonehaven, 70m 41s at 67mph then absolutely flattened the sharp climb afterwards, with minm 61 in the rain.

Portlethen 78m 13s at 66 mph and for once a clear road into Aberdeen arrive 88m 43s, only 1 minute late.

 

Return left bang on time, only 5 mins after 158 on stopper to Montrose. So no need for heroics.

Earlier rain cleared so dry rail for the climb out of Aberdeen up to the cliffs, sustained 40 mph on upper part of the climb.

Thro Portlethen in 15m 42s at a sedate 58 mph. Down to 41 before Limpet Burn.

Stonehaven in 24m 52s at 55 mph, falling to 43 on the climb to Carmont until clear signals sighted. Then a bit more energy, max 73 before Fordoun and thro Laurencekirk in 39m 59s braking for a 40mph pway slack after.

70 max before Craigo and thro Montrose 50m 39s at 42 mph with unit out of the way. Steady climb to Usan, down to 28 mph before rallying to 38 mph at the end of the single line section. Max 66 after Lunan Bay then easy run down to Arbroath, paased in 68m 20s.

With time in hand a max of 70 at Monifieth and arrived Dundee in 88m 50s, 2 mins early.

Another nice sprint to Perth in 25m 36s, with a full 75 max.

Checked out of Perth to allow preceeding service train to get ahead, then brisk run to Ladybank until brief signal stop for mini HST coming other way to get into the loop.

Looped at Thornton Jn as booked for 170 to overtake then competent run along Fife coast. Opened out after Inverkeithing to reach 41 and held 40 all the way up the 1:70 to the Forth Bridge. First time I have had proper steam southbound over Forth Bridge, Tornado and USA trips in 2019 both shoved.

Final 71mph flourish before Turnhouse. Drop off at Haymarket and back to Waverley spot on time.

 

Move to Joppa last night was cancelled, 60163 moved to Bo’ness on the stock return via Livingston South