Bittern

[R. pike]

Is Bittern in trouble? It passed me rather late at Hitchin earlier sounding like some sort of steam hammer and i'm now getting rumours that it has not long passed Welwyn (23:30 ish) with diesel assistance.

[BHornsey]

Just come in off my night shift; Bittern failed at Stevenage last night but wasn't performing very well all the way up.
It passed Carlton at just over 50 MPH and struggled all the way up the bank from Claypole to Grantham.

Off to bed now!
Brian

[StevieG]

... Train's termination at Stevenage was at about 2135, about 1hr. 20mins. late.
Departed just after 2300, direct to Southall.

[crispy]

It did'nt actualy fail , however because of more rubbish coal we were, as stated very late at Stevenage and as there was a block going on at Acton at Midnight the decision was made to go straight to Southall rather than than get stuck at Ferme Park or somewhere else for the weekend if we ran into the Cross.We actualy passed Acton at 10 to midnight !!!!
Incidentaly the tender is due to be emptied and refilled with coal from a different source this week thank god.

[StevieG]

Bittern beset again? She was on a trip up the WCML yesterday. Heard her pass Crew Heritage Centre at 1410, but gather a lot of time was lost and understand the train was looking ripe for termination at Rugby some time soon after 1730, (nudging 2 hours late?).
Irrespective of cause(s), it wouldn't be surprising if the affected service train operators complaints about the delays increase. Would be a shame if Bittern was subjected to some sort of ban pending assurances that things will improve.

[AndyG]

Bittern beset again?

No.
Try Tornado.
According to a report on WNXX it performed well over Beattock and Shap but after getting to fresh coal loaded at Preston? it had troubles and had to be assisted by a class 66.

Andy

[StevieG]

Aargh! Oops. - Come back all I said.
Thanks Andy. - Heard the chime whistle and made an uncharacteristic assumption.

Sincere apologies to all associated with keeping Bittern 'on the road'.