Sarah Siddons at Ealing/Steam Train At Baker St

[21146]

It went from Lillie Bridge at 0125 to Baker Street via Olympia, Earl's Court and Edgware Road. The route/timings appeared in 'Not for Publication' LU documents. I was asked not to reveal this information in advance and abided by that request. The only part of the route visible to the public would have been from the Cromwell Road overbridge, and of course would be in the dark. The train carried various great & good from TFL and its associates - Peter Hendy, Howard Collins, Leon Daniels, Sam Mullins, Ian Arthurton, Roger Wright plus others. The train's formation was as follows - battery L24, flat wagon (carrying water), Well Tank 30587, Sarah Siddons, battery L26. Part of the test was to see what effect, in any, the loco's steam and smoke had on station fire panels. And yes, pix to follow...

[Harsig]

As the two threads 'Sarah Siddons At Ealing Common' and 'Steam Train At Baker Street' are actually dealing with two aspects of the same subject I've merged the two threads and moved them to the SSR board

[ianvisits]

Leon Daniels has posted a photo and video on his blog:

leondaniels.blogspot.com/2012/02/return-of-steam-on-underground.html

[Deleted]

I'm overjoyed he got video as well - really helps capture what must have been a great moment to be present for.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't jealous!

[Oracle]

How did the Well Tank get to Lillie Bridge please? By road from the Bodmin & Wenford Railway? When was the trial with a steam loco around the south side of the Circle many years ago?

[metman]

Wow!

[Deleted]

Looks wonderful.

Looking forward to next year! Hope it all went well. Is one right to assume the BWT was taking the load for some of the time to generate a sufficient volume of steam and smoke?

Great to see (oldest u.ground line, and one each of some of the oldest working mainline steam and electric locos), but a strange choice in the BWT. I would have thought if the test was to see how systems and trains respond to loco exhaust, something a bit beefier, even a pannier would have been more appropriate, and with smaller drivers, more exhaust/distance. Something the size of a 4MT would probably have just about covered anything they might wish to send down there next year, and wouldn't have required a stash of coal and water.

Any info on why the NRMs Beattie was selected?

[Deleted]

And there was me looking at a way to justifying having a Beattie Well tank on Croxley Wiggenhall Depot! I already have the Beattie Well Tank and my Sarah Siddons is nearing completion!

I guess never say never says it all! ;D

XF

[br7mt]

I understand 30587 was used simply because it was available.

Regards,

Dan

[alfie]

Still a reason, it's a test run!

[metman]

Would a 4MT be in gauge down there? I know the larger classes of Met locos were out of gauge like the K class.

[v52gc]

That video is really good, it's mad to think of all that steam down there now!

[Deleted]

Fair point about gauging. IIRC (Red Panniers) the 8750 Panniers were out of gauge (in the Baker Street area) due to higher cabs, hence the use of 57XX panniers, plus these were older and being withdrawn first!

[roythebus]

!

[Deleted]

LU deserve a huge pat on the back for getting this organised

[Deleted]

I am certainly looking forward to seing steam trains on the underground again.

I was very young the last time there was a steam on the Met event

[21146]

This morning:

www.flickr.com/photos/24772733@N05/6786458988/in/photostream

www.flickr.com/photos/24772733@N05/6786507976/in/photostream

www.flickr.com/photos/24772733@N05/6786491490/in/photostream

www.flickr.com/photos/24772733@N05/6786555496/in/photostream

[Deleted]

Feb 26, 2012 21:12:33 GMT @21146 said:

This morning:

www.flickr.com/photos/24772733@N05/6786458988/in/photostream

www.flickr.com/photos/24772733@N05/6786507976/in/photostream

www.flickr.com/photos/24772733@N05/6786491490/in/photostream

www.flickr.com/photos/24772733@N05/6786555496/in/photostream

Great to see you've captured the working at several stations, fantastic photographs of what surely counts as working of the year!!

[mrfs42]

Nice to hear a bit of chuff out of Baker Street.

[roythebus]

I wonder what braking system was used on the train as the steam loco is vacuum braked, though I notice an air pipe trailed round the back of the loco.

[mrfs42]

Feb 27, 2012 9:24:18 GMT roythebus said:

I wonder what braking system was used on the train as the steam loco is vacuum braked, though I notice an air pipe trailed round the back of the loco.

<educated guess>

Well Tank was a 'swinger' between the two battery locos?

There would appear to have been at least a setter fitted on the air.

[paulsw2]

Hi my name is Paul and I am employed bu LUL and have just joined the forum (lurked for ages)

I thought others might like to see what passed through on Sunday morning just after the station had opened to the public.
A few passegers on the Eastbound must have thought they were still drunk from the night before

[charleyfarley]

Obviously granted special exemption from the No Smoking on stations rule

[orienteer]

Saw Sarah Siddons between the battery locos westbound at Ruislip at 13.15 today, presumably heading for the tradesman's entrance to Ruislip Depot.

[Deleted]

Beattie was reported by a housemate ("some big steam train thing on a lorry") as leaving Lillie Bridge depot at about 13.30 yesterday by road.

[phillw48]

Sounds like two old biddies in the corner of the snug 'Beattie and Sarah'. ;D

[Deleted]

Nothing quite like a full size train set ;D

XF

[christopher125]

Can anyone confirm if Sarah Siddons will be getting her vacuum brakes back? Correct me if im wrong, but with the steam loco's and vintage carriages to be used only vacuum fitted there isnt much alternative.

Regards,
Chris