70013, The Cathedrals Express, 8th Dec.

Interesting, seeing your post in LE Moves plus what I thought I overheard at Tilehurst it does seem there was a water stop at Twyford. Surely this must be a first, never heard of it before. Are you saying this occurred in the up relief platform? I know direct Paddington-Henley trains use this platform "the wrong way" to get direct on to the Henley branch.

 

Trains on the GN on the move again but no idea as to extent of ongoing delays and any subsequent effect on 70013.

 

any news on how she's doing?

thanks al

 

Not a word on any of my local gen groups.

 

thanks for the info hope shes doing well and not got to held up in tonights events

thanks al

 

Just a thought but I suppose it's not impossible that she'll be diverted to go back via the GE to avoid the problems on the GN.

 

Hope not as I'm waiting at hitchin! But it is a valid possibility spamcan. Trains have been packed when arriving here.

 

possibly but she is going round the back way via Gordon Hill and Hertford north but nothing is impossible thou fingers crossed she goes the advertised way

thanks al

 

Yes it was booked on platform 3 which appeared unusual then I spoke to the tanker driver who confirmed it would swing over to the Henley side which was a first for me.
A good departure slipping a bit on the wet rails. I followed on the local train from Paddington passing 70013 a bit further on towards Reading.

Mike M. ( 70c )

 

just heard passed stevenage at 21:19 14 late

thanks al

 

Through hitchin at 21:27

 

Here is my video of her passing through Sonning Cutting, it's just processing as I post this:

[video=youtube;TI1DZ_0ViZY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TI1DZ_0ViZY[/video]

Bit of a non-event, really, the train had stopped for water at Twyford, then did not have a clear road through to Reading as the Reading and the Oxford stoppers had cleared Twyford before it was released. So no roaring monster today, sadly, just a leisurely drift through the cutting

Still, the little kid and his mother on the bridge got to see it for longer, and enjoyed it all the more!

 

70013 at Twyford during a very brief stop:

 

Good video. Wondered what the steam was doing by the Driving wheels. Looks like sanders were working - if so, I hope that sand wasn't needed later in the run!