The 'CATHEDRAL'S EXPRESS', 'CAPITAL CHRISTMAS EXPRESS' & 'TYNESIDER' - 23/11/2013

A busy day out to see three Steam Excursions working on the National Network on Saturday 23rd November 2013. First up was Steam Dreams' The 'CATHEDRAL'S EXPRESS' from London Waterloo to Shrewsbury. This train was meant to be the last hauled by new-build BR(E) A1-class 4-6-2 No.60163 "Tornado" as its operator DB Shenker have ended their contract with SD and West Coast Railways are taking over once more. However "Tornado" had failed a FTR Exam so was replaced by BR 'Britannia'-class 4-6-2 No.70000 "Britannia". The second excursion running was the Railway Touring Company's 'CAPITAL CHRISTMAS EXPRESS' from Weymouth to London Waterloo. This was originally meant for SR 'Battle of Britain'-class 4-6-2 No.34067 "Tangmere", but there was some doubt initially that the loco would be ready as it has been under repair at Carnforth for a few months. "Tangmere" returned however down south on Thursday 21st and was re-instated on the tour. However, on the return run, the loco developed a major fault in which an connecting rod came loose and damaged part of the third-rail as well at Winchfield. After major delay, the train was terminated at Basingstoke. The third and final tour was another RTC - The 'TYNESIDER' from Newcastle to London King's Cross with LNER A4-class 4-6-2 No.60009 "Union of South Africa". This tour was steam-hauled on the outward run only with diesel-haulage back to Newcastle. The A4 is staying on down in London working tours up until Christmas. Locations & sequences in this video are as follows... - 70000 "Britannia" arriving at Salisbury. - 34067 "Tangmere" passes through Basingstoke and ends the outward journey at London Waterloo before being taken off to Southall by BR Class 47 'Brush' Co-Co No.47580 "County of Essex". - 60009 "Union of South Africa" arrives at London King's Cross before being taken back to Ferne Park by BR Class 47 'Brush' Co-Co No.47854 "Diamond Jubilee" (seen at Harringay) and then carrying on 'Light-Engine & Coach' through Crouch Hill on the way to Southall. - 47580 "County of Essex" brings 34067 "Tangmere" & train back into London Waterloo from Southall before "Tangmere" makes a roaring departure on the return trip to Weymouth - only to fail at Winchfield on the way.