Christmas Coronation-1000+ miles with 60163 in 3 days

The young lady mentioned usually gets seen behind the buffet bar me thinks. A wonderful day Friday, what with the racing on the East coast am and Beattock and the climb out the Clyde valley later. Spine tingling stuff! So sorry to hear about Saturdays problems at the end. Always interesting to hear what Mr Notley has to say and I'm sure full justice with be given.

 

..but sometimes on the footplate too if its the one im thinking of. Sounds like a great trip, bad coal aside its good to see she's put any doubts about her condition aside - she's back!

Chris

 

You say IF the coal was the same as that which allowed high performance earlier so I presume you do not know for sure. Thus your earlier remark about management of the fire can be nothing but speculation and as for you saying it was the most likely scenario, without full knowledge of all that went on I'd suggest it was no more likely a scenario that other possibilities.

 

Always rely on a "box" to save the day........

 

Agreed - pure unfounded speculation - not an uncommon occurrence on here. What purpose it serves other than to rile and alienate the mainline crews I do not know.

I'm happy to wait and hear the true story from the horse's mouth, when/if the A1 Trust release a statement, once they've had chance to recover from three days in the saddle of course. (That's enough equine metaphors for one post I think!) Iain

 

THinking back a few weeks to the other reports of steaming problems on the main line I think if memory serves me correctly that there was mention of a poor batch of coal that appeared to have come through the same checks and source as good stuff - may possibly be more of the same again causing these issues. Quite how you stop that happening I am not sure. Sad end to what sounds to have been a good three days otherwise DH

 

Great photograph Henry and nice to meet you at Gilsland.

My footage is now up on YouTube, showing days 2 and 3, on the Newcastle-Carlisle, both climbs of Beattock, and ascending Shap: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qECFtRBp0qU

 

The clip from Beattock is magnificent, really hammering along.

Wish they'd sounded the chime as they went past.

 

No, we mustn't upset the NP thought police; that would be very naughty!

 

Quality video. Thanks for sharing.

 

You should've been at Carstairs ;-)

 

Is it absolutely necessary to post such utter pointless & "wind up" comments on here? Judging by your username you are obviously a diesel fan. Mods, I think it would be better to remove this pointless comment, it does not serve any useful purpose. Have reported post.

 

Should have had one on the back to help too...then wouldnt have had all those delays etc

 

I've just complained about 50031's post, now you add another pointless comment.

 

The typical discussions of steam

 

Do we really need this sort of childish trolling drivel on here? The thread will end up locked and it's just more work for the Mods, who only do the job out of the kindness of their hearts, so why make it more difficult for them than it needs be? Grow up a bit eh?

 

That's big of you. Funny how the kettle types get all uptight about "boxes" on the back of trains, as if by slagging off a diesel loco, you somehow 'like' steam more.....
I like steam, but by god it's flaky. Wrong coal, wrong water, wrong steam, wrong day.
Maybe I was stirring it, and fishing, but Mr Fish doesn't have to eat Mr Worm on the hook,like you did......
You can report me now as well if you like. Now run along to teacher.

 

Really disappointing to hear of the coal problem again. But in answer to earlier question on 'whether this has happened before' ! YES YES YES it has. I can go back to an experience on King from Didcot to Derby and back some 15 yrs ago ? ( Saltydog put me right on the date at last mention) . Terrible coal mostly dust it seems caused us to crawl all the way from Derby to Didcot on return; most embarrassing for a KING, and it has happened on and off for many years now. What I can't remember is whether the problem was common in Steam Days. Did the engine just get changed or piloted when it happened and we just didn't notice ! ?? Or was all the coal good stuff ? Any ideas ??