7th July 2007

Mercia Charters Limited
That Which Survives

Route:
38000 : Rotterdam CS (via Oosterhout) to Lage Zwaluwe
38001 : Lage Zwaluwe to Utrecht CS
38002 : Utrecht CS to Dieren
????? : Dieren to Apeldoorn
38003 : Apeldoorn to Rotterdam CS

Notes :
(1) plus 1251 dead-in-tow & 6703 on rear.
(2) Photo-stop held where the Moerdijk line passed under the mainline just after leaving Lage Zwaluwe (approx km post 1.5). After dropping passengers at km post 1.2 the following movements took place before the passengers rejoined:
a) train set-back (loco propelling) to km post 0.7
b) photo run-past, train stopping at km post 1.9
c) train set-back (loco propelling) to km post 1.2 for passengers to rejoin. Train then continued to Moerdijk.
(3) Loco propelling.
(4) plus 5814 & 6703 dead-in-tow.
(5) At Dieren the following train movements took place:
a) train stopped at crossing immediately before station. From here 5814 powered the train into the VSM platform loop (1251 could not as it was not an electrified line).
b) train stopped in VSM platform loop, but fouling the points both ends. 5814 propelled 1251 off the train (leaving it just short of the level crossing beyond the station, then 5814 dropped back into the track adjacent to the tour train).
c) 6703 drew the train forward (approx two coach lengths) to clear the loop rear points.
d) 5814 coupled to the rear of the train.
e) On departure, 6703 drew the train forward to 1251 which was then re-attached to the front.
(6) 1251, leading, was in multi with 6703 thus the train was being driven from 1251 however, being a non-electrified line, traction was being provided by 6703.
(7) plus 1251 & 6703 dead-in-tow & 5814 on rear.
(8) 1251 & 6703 in multi and both powering, 5814 dead-on-rear.
(9) Train was diverted due to a power failure in the Utrecht area and an attempt to regain some lost time. Booked route had been: Amersfoort - Den Dolder - Bilthoven - (either via Utrecht CS or the direct line avoiding Utrecht CS) - Utrecht Sidings (or Lunetten) [REV] - Utrecht CS - Harmelen Jn - Woerden.

Source : Gary Thornton (on the train throughout)

Photo Review
(all photos: Gary Thornton)

6703 waits to depart from Oosterhout back to Lage Zwaluwe.

5814 and 1251 about to run-round the train at Utrecht CS.

661 leads 1251 & 6703 at Beekbergen on the VSM. 44 1085 is alongside.

Tour over - 1251 & 6703 at Rotterdam CS. 5814 is about to take the ECS
back to the depot in the Rotterdam suburbs where it is stabled.

Timings (Booked & Actual)
(from Gary Thornton)

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