Cathedrals Express Valentine's Day Lunchtime Tour

Photos now available of 61306 today



She seemed to be putting up a pretty damn fine show at Winchester and Fleet on the run back to London, can't say I massively noticed the diesel on either occasion. She did seem to be running like a sewing machine, and looked stunning.

 

I really do feel that there was absolutely no need for the diesel to not only be dragged around today but to shove it almost at will. Mayflower proved its worth and reliability to Windsor this week and so no one was surprised to hear initially that the diesel would be dropped at Grosvenor Bridge but the diesel stayed on and rather that sit quietly at the back, it seems to have pushed more than most tours in recent times. If I was able to talk to the diesel driver, I would have told him to let the B1 do the work because that is what people have paid a lot of money for. Not for this thing to do most of the work. I was on the doubled headed black 5's to Dover in December and what a joy to know that the diesel was left behind. I have incredible sympathy for the passengers because there is not doubt. THEY HAVE BEEN SHORT CHANGED!

 

Second trip out of a "new" locomotive in one of the most heavily congested parts of the entire national network in conditions which weren't exactly favourable?

I'd say sticking a diesel on the back was entirely sensible TBH.

 

A few people out to see her tonight at Haywards Heath (not loads but a few) which isn't surprising given a B1 is a rarity down here (until 61306 comes back for some of the other Cathedrals she's down to do in and out of the Bluebell). Looked great and the station announcers came on the tannoy with info on when she was arriving (just under a minute after a Thameslink 387 left north for Bedford on the platform most of us had gathered on).

The diesel didn't seem to be doing any work though.

 

I totally understand the reason for having the Diesel on the rear to assist in case of problems but do not agree with the attitude of pushing most of the time. Okay, 61306 is a new ML loco but how will they learn anything about her capabilities when a diesel is providing a lot of the momentum? Did they not learn anything from the ML test run in 2013 about what she could handle?

 

Waiting on the platform at Woking this morning I also noticed they put up "When Harry met Salisbury" in the display on the information boards

 

For the first time ever, I actually saw a layer of grime on it in one of those videos..

 

After abandoning my day's filming at the Mid Hants Railway's Spring Steam Gala on the Friday, I was hoping for a much better day on Saturday seeing 61306. Here's my video from the 14th February, captured at Worplesdon, Witley Bank, departing Haslemere, Fareham Viaduct and Hedge End.



And also, a link to my Flickr photo set, with shots from yesterday and the 11th Feb.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/onthefastline/sets/72157650702147386/

James

Below: 61306 races through Hedge End on the 14th February. Never thought I'd see a B1 through my local station...!

 

My video from yesterday is now up and available

 

I can't comment on the diesel pushing, of the six occasions I saw it "in motion" I was only aware of the diesel assisting the once, that being out of Victoria at the very start of the day which is not unusual.

 

looking at the clips and speaking to friend who have been so disappointed at being pushed around by a diesel most of the day surely we have to ask the question - is this B1 fit for purpose? Big Al and others keeps saying its a good idea to have a diesel until WCRC are satisfied the engine is fit for purpose. That's nonsense because of one thing - they aren't giving it an opportunity to prove itself by adding 125 tons of ballast to a train are they?
I don't agree with the comment about WCRC either. From bitter experience and cost they seem more than happy to ruin steam hauled trains with their beloved diesels assisting for no real reason. My friends and I have booked on the 1st March as we were told on the phone that it would be a 10 coach train with no diesel. Hopefully they'll use Tangmere to provide what they are selling - a steam hauled train. We're going to contact them tomorrow and if Mayflower is still the rostered loco we'll cancel and request a refund. Come on WCRC and SD, honesty please. steam hauled is a simple context. If the engine isn't up to it don't use it or advertise that due to the incapability of the locomotive to haul a train on the modern busy network an assisting diesel will be on the train and let customers make their choice.

 

Don't blame 61306 for WCRC's decision to add a diesel to the back. I dislike them and hate being shoved around by one but going by several video clips of her two recent main line runs 61306 has done plenty of work on her own and has coped with both the train and the additional weight of the diesel on the back. I'm on the March 1st run and am looking forward to the B1 doing it all on her own. I for one have faith in her ability.

 

I get your point but surely another ecs proving run would have satisfied. The problem with a diesel on the back is the extra weight all but guarantees it will have to assist at some point. That said and with reference to my earlier post, 61306 seems to have worked both trains without the diesel assisting on some sections at least.

 

Didn't know you could still get to that bridge, the scene of many hours photography on summer Saturdays in 1962/63

Don

 

An added problem was the relatively tight timings, especially Eastleigh to Basingstoke. I expect the B1 could have kept that on 10 but it would have required a top of the range class 5 performance. Where are these sort of timings when a Bulleid is in charge?

Don

 

Yes I had an email from SD saying "planned" to run without a diesel,however have had a look at RTT at Paddington for that day and the tour times are all there but there are no LE moves for the diesel so unless they are going to be added in later it doesnt look good.

Totally agree with your plea for honesty but I think we both know that we will never get a communication of any kind,honest or otherwise,from WCRC!

Would be most interested to hear if you get your refund.

 

I think you will find the reason the diesel is added in some cases, Is for operational reasons an overloaded class 5 on the mainline alone isnt going to keep to time alone.
Hence the shove duff on the rear,it happens with the black fives when they are on class 7/8 loads alone for the same operational reasons.