Marland wrote:
Roland Perry wrote:
In message , at 16:33:59 on Mon, 24 Jun
2019, Recliner remarked:

It was OK, but I didn't ultimately feel it was value for money. Given
the number of opportunities to get close-up afforded to the general
public, it would have been almost as good to just go and look. See that
Youtube video I found and posted.

Yes, that's the trouble with steam specials: the paying passengers don't
get nearly as good a view as the spectators.

This trip was a bit different, especially for spectators. Going
backwards and forwards over a short route and with numerous station
platforms. But it was also notable how many people in houses and their
gardens, and open spaces, that we passed were also filming and waving.

The series of Trains had received mention on the various news outlets
aimed at Londoners so many would have been aware of them, in contrast
unless it is the Flying Scotsman most Steam tours pass unnoticed nowdays as
they are no longer that rare compared with the situation a couple of
decades ago when a local newspaper would consider a steam train passing
worth a mention.
Ironically a good example of that occurred at Ealing Broadway on Saturday
Morning, as people assembled for the 1st departure of the District line
tour a class 33 passed through on the main line with some MK1s and a Steam
Loco on the back presumably ECS heading somewhere for a tour.
It was hardly noticed,


Yes, steam charters are now quite routine at Paddington, Kings Cross and
Victoria. Most summer Saturdays probably seem them passing Ealing Broadway.
They're probably now more common there than HSTs. The same will be true
next year at Kings Cross. Indeed, Gresley Pacifics will probably be seen
more often than Deltics, HSTs or Class 91s at Kings Cross from next summer!

Away from London, Carlisle, Exeter, Fort William, Lincoln, Scarborough and
York also see plenty of steam.

Despite the new signalling, it would be nice if LU somehow manages to run a
steam train from Paddington to Farringdon (and on to Moorgate) on some
future anniversary of 1863.