22nd May 2016

Railway Touring Company
The Peak Forester

Route : 
1Z67 : London Kings Cross to Rowsley South
1Z68 : Rowsley South to London Kings Cross

Notes : 
(1) 34046 running as 34052 'Lord Dowding'.
(2) John Clifford comments: When first advertised this tour was to be hauled by 61306 'Mayflower' but as this engine is under repair, 34046 was substituted. Unusually for a steam hauled tour we ran on the Fast Line from Kings Cross, due to engineering work shutting the Slow Line at Welham Green. From Hitchin we followed the late running 09.23 Kings Cross - Peterborough, which calls at all stations north of Stevenage. After watering at Holme Jn was completed we were allowed to continue early, but then had to wait outside Peterborough since there was a pick up stop there. From Peterborough we continued on a fairly easy schedule but were stopped at Whissendine as the preceding Welwyn Garden City - Stapleford ballast train was running slowly. There was a stop outside Derby as we were early again. To allow the branch train to come up from Matlock we stopped in the Broadholme Loop. Only 55 minutes was allowed at Rowsley South to take water, take on coal and to turn and service the engine which proved to be inadequate. 31270 shunted the support coach round the train at Rowsley South. On leaving the branch we saw that the branch train was held in Broadholme Loop, as we has been. Since we were now late we were held at Syston North Jn, to let the 18.22 Birmingham New Street - Stanstead Airport go ahead. This train was due to pass us while we were in Melton Mowbray Loop, but as there was no need to for us to go into the loop we omitted it, thus making up some time. After passing Manton Jn, we came to a sudden halt. There was a problem with the engine’s air pump which was soon rectified. After leaving Peterborough it was evident that there was a problem as speed did not increase as expected. The engine was not steaming well which was put down to some poor coal. Consequently the train terminated at Stevenage, and passengers continued to Kings Cross by a Virgin East Coast Train (worked by 91120) arriving there only about 5 minutes later than expected. 

Source : John Clifford (on the tour throughout)

Timings (Booked & Actual)
(from John Clifford)

Associated E.C.S. Workings

21/05/16 : 
5Z64 : (57316 + 34046?) : Southall to Ferme Park

22/05/16 : 
5Z67 : (57316 with 34046 on rear) : Ferme Park to London Kings Cross

5Z69 : (57316 with 34046 on rear?) : London Kings Cross to Ferme Park
5Z69 : (57316 + 34046?) : Ferme Park to Southall
(cancelled)

5Z69 : (57316 + 34046) : Stevenage to Southall

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