Steam Freight Train in Use?

[vixen1700]

First time posting in here, but I'm curious about something. What did we see?

We live nearby to a station on the Barking to Gospel Oak line in East London and the other morning wel heard an odd train sound which differed from the normal passenger electric trains and ocasional loud diesel freight trains.

Looked out of the window and there was the puff puff of a steam train going along the top of the bridge. Initial thought was an exhibition train or something, but then saw in the reflection on the house windows opposite the freight carrages going past. Cement possibly.

Had no idea steam trains were still being used in a working capacity,
and especially in London, so any ideas what it was?

Cheers!

[Wacky Racer]

You temporarily went back in time to 1967.

[vixen1700]

Felt like it!

[Simpo Two]

EVs have used up all the electricity.

[essayer]

It was a rail tour.. wouldn’t have been freight, presumably the usual collection of passenger coaches

https://www.railadvent.co.uk/events/southend-to-ox...

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U63...

[bobbo89]

essayer said:

It was a rail tour.. wouldn’t have been freight, presumably the usual collection of passenger coaches

https://www.railadvent.co.uk/events/southend-to-ox...

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U63...

Could have been both, steam going one way then cement carriages the other with the confusion in direction being made due to seeing them in reflection...?

[vixen1700]

essayer said:

It was a rail tour.. wouldn’t have been freight, presumably the usual collection of passenger coaches

https://www.railadvent.co.uk/events/southend-to-ox...

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U63...

Cheers, judging by the timetable, that looks to be the one.
But it did look as though it was towing something other than passenger carriages, not that we could see the passenger carriages, mind.

[Flying Phil]

That rail tour was supposed to have Tornado in front. However it suffered wheel flats on the tender about a month ago and has gone to the Great Central for some low speed running before its scheduled overhaul late Jan.

[Yertis]

IIRC a steam locomotive was used to haul some 'proper' freight traffic fairly recently (as opposed to a demonstration run/playing with trains* type of exercise). I can't remember the circumstances, the locomotive happened to be in the right place to do the job or something like that.

• an activity to be applauded.

[ecsrobin]

Yertis said:

IIRC a steam locomotive was used to haul some 'proper' freight traffic fairly recently (as opposed to a demonstration run/playing with trains* type of exercise). I can't remember the circumstances, the locomotive happened to be in the right place to do the job or something like that.

• an activity to be applauded.

Don’t they normally do that for prepping for mainline use to test it under load?

[P5BNij]

Yertis said:

IIRC a steam locomotive was used to haul some 'proper' freight traffic fairly recently (as opposed to a demonstration run/playing with trains* type of exercise). I can't remember the circumstances, the locomotive happened to be in the right place to do the job or something like that.

• an activity to be applauded.

The pool of mainline certificated steam locos is quite small - even if you don't remember its number a description of it might help to narrow it down (the livery will help), it's possible to trace the actual working that way

It's always a nice perk seeing those charters when I'm out and about, last week I was sat in Battersea loop waiting to take my train back to Wembley but couldn't leave until 35028 'Clan Line' went by with a charter....

[2xChevrons]

I used to see (and hear!) Clan Line fairly regularly when I lived in Winchester. Even by the standards of other preserved steam locos it's striking how well she's always turned out - always nearly immaculate, even at the end of a busy charter season. They must really put in the hours keeping her clean.