LE movements, ECS and test runs 2024

Nice photo. Sheep apparently totally disinterested and at least FOUR vapour trails in the sky!!

 

60007 Sir Nigel Gresley at Bishops Lydeard going to Taunton for the English Riviera Express

 

There was an unusual test train on Friday night which originally started at Eastleigh and went to Reading and Alton via Staines, Guildford and Woking before heading to Tonbridge West Yard. Did anyone see what was on this working?
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:H06586/2024-07-04/detailed

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73962 and 73965 top and tail according to SE-Gen on groups.io.

 

Thanks for that info.

 

Possibly as a precursor to the run on the 11th - https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U16140/2024-07-11/detailed

 

1Q54 was a test train of Network Rail coaches for various track monitoring systems. It's in the timetable as a "Q" working - run when required. They normally follow a regular pattern which is written into the engineering possession plan as a protected pathway. (Basically, no possessions to be taken which conflict with the timings.) When it runs, the "Q" is removed in the train planning systems, so the schedule is activated and it is shown on RTT as "VAR", a variation to the WTT.

1Z50 is a short term plan working STP and is shown as an unadvertised express.

Apart from they are both class 1 trains and on Wessex route , there isn't much in common!

Cheers, Neil

 

During the time that Flying Scotsman and the A4 were based at Marylebone, for the 1980s trips to Stratford, I seem to recall the previous A4 support coach [the two-tone blue Mk1 BCK with the small luggage compartment] also had no cooking facilities with their team having to 'make do' with sandwiches.
The FS team were fortunate in having an LPG Cooker in their Mk1 BFK coach's roomy luggage area - with many a roast lunch/dinner being appreciated by those off duty. The biggest problem I noted was storage of sufficient potable water so heavy-duty plastic containers were invaluable.

 

No inside info but I'm thinking on Friday12th 5z30 07.16 Crewe to Southall is Blue Peter, Rugby 08.59/09.24 Southall 13.06 . Sat 13th 5Z31 05.33 Crewe to Southall 09.36 ECS for the working. All can be reveled on Realtime.

 

I believe you're correct. Chairman's train on Saturday by all accounts. Not one for the purists - loco in the wrong livery and load of rebuilt carriages!

 

That may be ....but I wouldn't mind being aboard [BJ]

 

I decided to capture the historic sight of HST power cars making their first ever run over the line down to Alton during my lunch break. I went to my usual location of a bridge along Green Lane between Aldershot and Farnham.
Walking on to the bridge to find a good place to take a photo I could not believe it was a bridge in use on the National network. The amount of undergrowth coming out of the bridge was unbelievable. Buddleias and trees growing from the bridge structure. I have never seen it this bad before. There was only a small gap from which you could actually see the track. I captured the power cars rolling down the hill from Aldershot surrounded by the Surrey jungle



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Return timings for the HST power cars leaving the Watercress Line on Monday morning:
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:R19617/2024-07-15/detailed


Return timings for the Class 50's and electric unit also on Monday morning:
Alton to Eastleigh:
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:F94546/2024-07-15/detailed

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She's on her way !!



Photograph c/o Kall Chels Buckley Evans at Locomotive Services Group Appreciation. <BJ>

 

LSG's blue period.
The results of an hour and a half spent at Millmeece this morning. An early start to see Blue Peter head south for her main line debut was rewarded by a long wait wondering what was happening. There was another LSG movement scheduled which seemed to depart early and was seen on OTT heading down the Shrewsbury line, only to return to the station and wait for a nearly right time departure, I did wonder if it needed to be turned. Not long after that 5Z30 appeared on the plot with a route straight out of the depot onto the main line. About five minutes later I noticed that whereas the HST power car had been put on to the Up Slow 60532 was now on the Up Fast, all the stranger as she was quickly followed out of Crewe by Avanti and West Midlands services.
Having set up the shot expecting Blue Peter on the Slow line I stayed put but the Fast line here is a more difficult angle. Not long after the A2 passed the two services drifted by.

 

That A2 looks the absolute dogs bits

 

LE move south Crewe to Southall, filmed at the location of the Great Train Robbery.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U18743/2024-07-12/detailed#allox_id=0

 

Anyone know the times/reporting number for the ECS move from Southall to Kings Cross. Checked the usual sources but nothing, it just magically appears at platform 8 later today. I ask as might pop out to Gospel Oak for a look.

 

It's showing up now on RTT.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:89867/2024-07-13/detailed

 

Ok found it. https://live.rail-record.co.uk/train.php/?c=89867&d=2024-07-13 and its going its going via Camden Road, so will head down that way.