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Apologies for the late posting of this article from Pete Hackney, we've been experiencing some problems with our ISP.
"An on-time departure from platform 3 at Kings Cross and a spirited climb up the 1 in 107 bank through Gasworks & Copenhagen Tunnels bode well for the journey to Scarborough. After picking up at Potters Bar & Stevenage some fast running downgrade brought us to the first water stop, 70 miles in, at Holme Junction just about on time. Despite the name there was no sign of a junction for the long-gone GNR branch to Ramsey. After the short run to Peterborough we were scheduled to stop for 3 minutes to collect more passengers but within sight of the station the train ground to a halt. Finally, 1 hour and 23 minutes later, we did pull into Peterborough to pick up those passengers - a major signalling problem had stopped all traffic on the ECML north of Grantham. When it eventually got moving again a steam-hauled railtour was not the priority and by Grantham we were a good 90 minutes down. However from Retford and as we crossed into Yorkshire at Bawtry things did start to improve which was more than you say for the weather. On the mainly level stretch of ex-Great Central line from Doncaster to Thorne Junction and onward through Thorne on North Eastern metals to Goole 70013 ran at line speed and time was picked up. After another water stop at Hull West Parade North Junction & with the diminishing coal pulled forward in the tender the gentle run through the beautiful East Riding to Bridlington was followed by the fierce 7 mile climb at 1 in 92 to Speeton. Cromwell took it all in his stride of course and by Scarborough we had made up an hour of our lost time. Because of the delays and the extra time needed to service the steam engine the railtour was taken back from Scarborough by a WCR Class 47 leaving 70013 to head tender-first engine and support coach to York NRM".
"An on-time departure from platform 3 at Kings Cross and a spirited climb up the 1 in 107 bank through Gasworks & Copenhagen Tunnels bode well for the journey to Scarborough. After picking up at Potters Bar & Stevenage some fast running downgrade brought us to the first water stop, 70 miles in, at Holme Junction just about on time. Despite the name there was no sign of a junction for the long-gone GNR branch to Ramsey. After the short run to Peterborough we were scheduled to stop for 3 minutes to collect more passengers but within sight of the station the train ground to a halt. Finally, 1 hour and 23 minutes later, we did pull into Peterborough to pick up those passengers - a major signalling problem had stopped all traffic on the ECML north of Grantham. When it eventually got moving again a steam-hauled railtour was not the priority and by Grantham we were a good 90 minutes down. However from Retford and as we crossed into Yorkshire at Bawtry things did start to improve which was more than you say for the weather. On the mainly level stretch of ex-Great Central line from Doncaster to Thorne Junction and onward through Thorne on North Eastern metals to Goole 70013 ran at line speed and time was picked up. After another water stop at Hull West Parade North Junction & with the diminishing coal pulled forward in the tender the gentle run through the beautiful East Riding to Bridlington was followed by the fierce 7 mile climb at 1 in 92 to Speeton. Cromwell took it all in his stride of course and by Scarborough we had made up an hour of our lost time. Because of the delays and the extra time needed to service the steam engine the railtour was taken back from Scarborough by a WCR Class 47 leaving 70013 to head tender-first engine and support coach to York NRM".
By Info | Friday, April 20, 2012 | Tags : 70013