roythebus Posted May 28, 2014 Share Posted May 28, 2014 Not many seemed to know about the above event which happened over the weekend of the 24th-26th May 2014. An intensive timetable was booked to operate on all three day but due to staff shortages the Sunday special timetable was mended to a 3 train service. Plans to run to Junction Road had to be cancelled due to flooding on the line earlier this year; the Pway gang had their hands full relaying at Rolvenden so simply didn't have time to inspect and pass the Junction Road bit as fit for passenger trains. Safety first a always. Visiting loco Gervaise had to be withdrawn from service due to a mechanical failure, and there was no "big" visiting loco this year. However, that didn't stop the crowds and the trains were well filled every day. Services ran well, though late on Monday the rains came and caused problems, with the "Norwegain" slipping to a stand within Tenterden station limits with 4 heavily loaded Mk1s. Luckily 6619 was close by and was sent to rescue the train. Later on, 6619 failed at the same place with low steam pressure. A "blow up" for 5 minutes soon saw it on the move again! Apart from that, everything ran to time and everyone seemed to have a good time. The last train of the weekend was the Victorian set, top and tailed with the "Norwegian" and a Terrier. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
decauville1126 Posted May 28, 2014 Share Posted May 28, 2014 Services ran well, though late on Monday the rains came and caused problems, with the "Norwegain" slipping to a stand within Tenterden station limits with 4 heavily loaded Mk1s. Luckily 6619 was close by and was sent to rescue the train. Later on, 6619 failed at the same place with low steam pressure. A "blow up" for 5 minutes soon saw it on the move again! Apart from that, everything ran to time and everyone seemed to have a good time. The last train of the weekend was the Victorian set, top and tailed with the "Norwegian" and a Terrier. Yes, I was travelling on that one and had thought when halfway up the bank to Tenterden that it might be a miracle if we made it! But it was in sight (just) of the the station so obviously a well-rehearsed recovery was deployed, and the delay was negligible really. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
David32424 Posted May 28, 2014 Share Posted May 28, 2014 Here's two video clips I took on Sunday of the GWR Tanks passing along Orpins Curve. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQQ-DNnWjXA Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian D Posted May 28, 2014 Share Posted May 28, 2014 Missed the weekend but had a great time at the last Hop Picker's event. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nedrahn Posted May 28, 2014 Share Posted May 28, 2014 Everything seemed to go okay on the Saturday. Yes, it was a shame about Junction Road, but it was perfectly understandable. Given the amount of rain that fell over the winter, it's a tribute to the P-Way gang that any of the line is fit. It was good to see No.23 blasting away like every good Austerity. I do have a soft spot for these old faithfuls (please will someone restore No.24 and return its proper name). The 1600 looked excellent in black, a fine stablemate for 6619. I suppose we can now expect letters to the railway press bemoaning the emergence of another loco in BR livery (and never mind the fact that it's the only authentic livery for a 1600). It was also a shame about Gervase, but these things happen. It's still astonishing that the Sentinel exists at all, given its decades in pieces, never mind the fact that it's a runner. Last year was great fun, with Gervase plodding up the bank sounding like an express loco! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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