(no subject)

[dakegra]

I was stuck in traffic on the M1 this morning, part of the hold-up was an abnormal load, a steam engine on the back of a truck.

As I drove past I noticed the template - the Hogwarts Castle.


Yup, I'd just passed the Hogwarts Express!

Comments

[miss-t-ide.livejournal.com]

Not very express, though...

[primitivepeople.livejournal.com]

Indeed, but it's probably the best way to shift it around without screwing up the rail network. I think it's limited to about 60 or 70mph when it's running on the mainline, which will screw up 125mph passenger traffic very badly.

[martinoh.livejournal.com]

That puts it in the same position as freight trains and local services, which they normally bump from line to line to give an express a clear run through. We certainly still see steam trains periodically on the West Coast mainline, running excursions. On the other hand, given filming schedules I should imagine that they want to minimise wear and tear and the risk of mechanical breakdown. Or it may just be cheaper to road-freight it :-)

[primitivepeople.livejournal.com]

True. Light running a steam engine is very, very expensive in terms of coal and labour, so it almost certainly is cheaper to road freight it. If you need to stick a freight train in a siding for a while, you can switch the engine off and power it up when needed - for a live steam loco, you need to keep it fed with coal for the whole time it's not going anywhere, and keep a constant eye on it.

[alicephilippa.livejournal.com]

There are also frequent situations where locos are moved between railway museums/preserved lines. Unless it can be tied in with a steam hauled excursion that it will be done by road.

I'm now sure which is more scary loading or unloading them.

[caitirin.livejournal.com]

Too awesome!!! I'd have been sorely tempted to jump aboard! XD

[dakegra.livejournal.com]

hee! Had I been more on the ball, I'd have tried to work out a way of grabbing a photo, but suspect that doing 60mph on the motorway whilst doing so would be bad karma.

[dakegra.livejournal.com]

it was doing about 50mph on the back of the lorry. :-)

[primitivepeople.livejournal.com]

Just as long as it didn't fall off. :)