When Steam Dreams announced their Windsor to Norwich trip was going to be hauled by BR Standard 7MT 70000 Britannia, I knew I'd have to go out and see it. I'd never seen the Brit before but 70013 Oliver Cromwell is a firm favourite of mine and this would be 70000's first trip on its old stomping ground in many years. In the weeks leading up to the tour, it was looking like Britannia wouldn't be hauling it as she failed on a railtour and subsequent test run.
On the morning of the tour, all was looking well as Britannia led the train out of Windsor and around London. However, she stopped just outside Forest Gate and reports came in that she had failed again. Luckily, this was not the case and it turns out that plastic sheeting had fallen onto the overhead wires and the loco. By the time the sheeting had been removed and the train was able to proceed, it was 90 minutes late.
I went to see the train on the outward journey at Diss where it stopped to let passengers off for onward travel to Bressingham. With the late running, diesel assistance was inevitable and 70000 gets a good shove out of the station.
For the return, I went to the level crossing at Newton Flotman to see the Brit at speed. With a glorious whistle, she races past about 20 minutes late.
27 май 2024
