Cathedrals Express to Faversham

Nobody interested in this today? Left London on time.

 

We actually have 2 steam tours today, this one & 35028 on the VSOE to Westbury. Surprised neither has been mentioned until now.
Hope to get to Theale to see 35028 later.

 

Saw it leaving Bromley South, looking good, wreath of poppies on the smokebox door, safety valves blowing as she pulled away, hit the signal gantry with a "whooomf" Only one brief slip upon departure........Still blowing off as it went out of sight on the climb to Bickley, the 37 on the back WAS assisting.......Train was running 7 minutes early after leaving Canterbury, arrived at Ramsgate and Margate 3 early too................

 

YUK! Very unusual for a CE to have a diesel on the back, thought it was against their policy.

 

Photo taken just south of Ashford. 1 minute later the sun came out - typical

 

I think they need a top and tail due to the need to reverse teh train via Rainham and Swale before the return journey.

 

35028 was seen at woking today, looked in fine form



more pics can be found here
http://www.flickr.com/photos/matthewtomsphotography/page2/

 

Photted Tangmere at Knockholt, (diesel assisting), between Pluckley and Ashford and then climbing Beltinge bank. No diesel assist at the last two locations. On time at all three locations as far as I could see.

Photos later.

 

Hounslow and Vauxhall

http://50031.fotopic.net/c1777390.html

 

1Z93 left Faversham 7 mins late (awaiting driver?), currently at Canterbury East, running 9 mins late......would expect it to make this up before arrival back in London......

 

Left Canterbury.......now 13 late!

 

Approaching Dover.....expected arrival there 19.13

 

My photos. Knockholt, between Pluckley and Ashford, and Beltinge bank approaching Herne Bay. Shame about the weather!

 

What weather,Bryan...these are first rate pictures,best I've seen for a long time of '67.

 

Im not entirely certain your right about the 37 assisting, im sure i remember reading that although a Diesel on the back of an Air braked train can be shut down, when on the back of a Vac braked train (as the Cathex usually is) the loco on the back has to be fired up and at the very least idling.

That and a 37 on idle will be louder than something more modern under power.

 

Tangmere was sounding great when I saw her accelerating away from Tonbridge at Postern Lane this morning. Diesel was assisting there too. If anyone's interested:

http://craigrailpics.fotopic.net/p62046839.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzApOnSx2UQ

Nice shots guys

 

Understand what you are saying.

But at Knockholt the diesel engine was running, albiet I thought at idle.

At the other two locations it was switched off, I am sure.

 

A nice touch to have poppies on 2 great locos.

 

Very much doubt it, seeing as it's a vacuum braked train the 37 will need to maintain it's main reservoir air supply to stop the whole lot from coming to a stand.

 

Some nice shots there Bryan.
I was at Vauxhall this morning and also at Clapham for 35028. My photos are now on my fotopic site.

Regards,

Paul