Steam Dreams 2025

Thanks for info Neil

 

Interesting, thanks for info.
In answer to your last question (why not continue to Exeter), that would almost certainly be due to Bristol being a major XC crew depot - all XC trains seem to have a complete or partial crew change at Temple Meads. So, as all too often, operational convenience takes priority. In the same way, Avanti W Coast are notorious for cancelling everything north of Preston (where all trains change crews) when there is serious disruption north of Carlisle.

 

This may well have been asked already but I couldn't see it in this thread, so apologies for any repeat. For this year's Steam Dreams 'Santa Circulars', in which direction will steam be hauling? Their web site just talks of a steam-hauled train, without mentioning that half is diesel-hauled! (unless this year is different from previous ones). Many thanks.

 

I see it being the same as last year where it's diesel out of Victoria and steam back in, as with these Santas and the Polar Expresses, the steam loco is part of the attraction, so it makes sense to have it be the first thing people see before they board the train.

I don't think the type of people boarding these trains are really that fussed that it's not a completely steam hauled trip, as long as they see one on their train they'll be happy! Plus having people pose by the loco at the buffers for pictures is a lot safer than at the far end where the platform is narrow.

 

The Duke still stuck at Southall, hopefully just a lengthy changeover.

 

Off Southall just shy of an hour late

 

Gone at last - I was surprised that they planned the changeover for Southall Station rather than the Hanwell Bridge Loop. Very difficult to get a free slot to move from there across the fast lines to get to the slow lines.

 

I’m not sure on the last time I saw a clip of steam working through Saunderton that wasn’t at the station, nice to see most of the view from the hills on Slough Lane worked in our favour as 71000 climbs the gradient on its way to Bicester and Oxford

 

71000 climbing into Saunderton:

 

71000 Duke Of Gloucester is seen working the Essex to Oxford or Bicester Village Charter at Denham, Gerrards Cross and Culham

 

Does anybody know which engine will be working the Santa specials on Saturday and Monday ?

 

Steam Dreams website lists Mayflower as working them

 

A few more angles of the Duke's passage through Saunderton. Considering it was running late it was good to see it hauling the whole consist without the need for any rear end help.