Regular steam services to leave Waterloo every Tuesday June 4 - Sept. 3 2019

[Peter C]

From https://londonist.com/london/transport/steam-train-waterloo-windsor-mayflower :
I heard of this yesterday and wondered if anyone else knew anything about it. Apparently, the service going to run three times a day between Waterloo and Windsor, and will be hauled by LNER "Mayflower". However, Londonist says that the return journeys aren't intended to be return journeys in the sense that you use them to get back to Waterloo; is this just them saying that the journey back is not considered part of the experience or is it a case of a media outlet not stating all the facts and it is actually an ECS move? Thanks.

P.S: Everything here has been edited, bar the link, to make it clearer than original post.
Thanks,
-Peter

 

[JonathanH]

From https://londonist.com/london/transport/steam-train-waterloo-windsor-mayflower :
I heard of this yesterday and wondered if anyone else knew anything about it. Apparently, the service going to run three times a day between Waterloo and Windsor, and will be hauled by LNER "Mayflower". However, Londonist says that the return journeys aren't intended to be return journeys in the sense that you use them to get back to Waterloo; is this just them saying that the journey back is not considered part of the experience or is it a case of a media outlet not stating all the facts and it is actually an ECS move? Thanks.

P.S: Everything here has been edited, bar the link, to make it clearer than original post.
Thanks,
-Peter

The obvious reasons for there not being a return journey (i.e. it being ECS) are:
a) you would expect it to be diesel hauled
b) they will be clearing up / preparing the train for the next set of passengers
c) it is being marketed as a day out in Windsor rather than coming back without visiting the place
d) if they take three trainloads of passengers there they can't all come back on the third return trip
e) platforming at Windsor & Eton Riverside is such that the steam trip will need to arrive and depart before the next electric train arrives.

https://www.royalwindsorsteamexpress.co.uk

https://www.sunsetsteamexpress.co.uk

I am interested to see the patching of these trips when they are made public - it does seem likely they will go via the Hounslow loop as the timings suggest that the service train arrives at Windsor shortly before the steam trip having left Waterloo around 20 minutes later.

Whether this can run in future years if the Windsor route receives an enhancement is another question.

It looks like a good venture to put affordable main line steam in the London area although an hour and a half to get to Windsor suggests it won't get up much speed.

One other interesting point about the later Surrey Hills round trip is how it gets back into Waterloo - e.g. does it go from Croydon via Tulse Hill / Herne Hill and the former Eurostar curve?

 

[UP13]

Railtours are too expensive for me these days so I'm welcoming this with open arms.

 

[EbbwJunction1]

The obvious reasons for there not being a return journey (i.e. it being ECS) are:
a) you would expect it to be diesel hauled
b) they will be clearing up / preparing the train for the next set of passengers
c) it is being marketed as a day out in Windsor rather than coming back without visiting the place
d) if they take three trainloads of passengers there they can't all come back on the third return trip
e) platforming at Windsor & Eton Riverside is such that the steam trip will need to arrive and depart before the next electric train arrives.

Thanks for explaining this, as I was slightly confused about the arrangements for the return journey, so what you say does make sense.

Something to think about if I'm in London when they run!

 

[E759]

From https://londonist.com/london/transport/steam-train-waterloo-windsor-mayflower :
I heard of this yesterday and wondered if anyone else knew anything about it. Apparently, the service going to run three times a day between Waterloo and Windsor, and will be hauled by LNER "Mayflower". However, Londonist says that the return journeys aren't intended to be return journeys in the sense that you use them to get back to Waterloo; is this just them saying that the journey back is not considered part of the experience or is it a case of a media outlet not stating all the facts and it is actually an ECS move? Thanks.

P.S: Everything here has been edited, bar the link, to make it clearer than original post.
Thanks,
-Peter

Thanks for the heads up Peter. Booked!

 

[Peter C]

Thanks for the heads up Peter. Booked!

You are very welcome. It was just something I saw on Twitter and I thought people on here may be interested in it. However there is little chance that I can see it as I don't live on the lines into Waterloo.

-Peter

 

[simple simon]

I can't book this far in advance but want to both travel on it and film it from a lineside.

I would love to sample first class ... £ permitting.

As for the return journey, I think its included although passengers get to travel on normal service trains (any train of their choice, allowing oodles of time to explore Windsor and its attractions). This would suit me fine - as it means I won't be using an Oystercard and therefore would be able to stop frequently for filming (it will be even better if break of journey is allowed).

btw, As someone who knows 'only a little' about 'all things Southern', I have a question: Is there any possibility of it being routed via East Putney - Wimbledon? It would make for great filming to see it pass a District line S7!

 

[JonathanH]

I can't book this far in advance but want to both travel on it and film it from a lineside.

Running three times each week for a few weeks so plenty of chance to both ride and then take a picture or vice versa.

I would love to sample first class ... £ permitting.

As for the return journey, I think its included although passengers get to travel on normal service trains (any train of their choice, allowing oodles of time to explore Windsor and its attractions). This would suit me fine - as it means I won't be using an Oystercard and therefore would be able to stop frequently for filming (it will be even better if break of journey is allowed).

No chance - the steam train ticket is one-way only - separate national rail tìcket needed to come back by train - 702 bus if the train ticket is too expensive.

Break of journey on the national rail ticket is fine.

btw, As someone who knows 'only a little' about 'all things Southern', I have a question: Is there any possibility of it being routed via East Putney - Wimbledon? It would make for great filming to see it pass a District line S7!

No. The manoeuvre needed at Wimbledon to get from the East Putney line to the slow line would be impossible to schedule at almost any time of day within the SWR timetable even if there was a path between East Putney and Wimbledon.

 

[Dougal2345]

It's a nice idea, shame it's all on weekdays though, had it been at the weekend I might have been able to see it/ride on it.

 

[simple simon]

Running three times each week for a few weeks so plenty of chance to both ride and then take a picture or vice versa.

No chance - the steam train ticket is one-way only - separate national rail tìcket needed to come back by train - 702 bus if the train ticket is too expensive.

Break of journey on the national rail ticket is fine.

No. The manoeuvre needed at Wimbledon to get from the East Putney line to the slow line would be impossible to schedule at almost any time of day within the SWR timetable even if there was a path between East Putney and Wimbledon.

I think you mean "three times each running day" as its only running on Tuesdays and making three journeys on each of those Tuesdays.

I did not realise that the return journey was an extra - I'll probably go to Clapham Junction and catch an Overground from there, this will be cheaper than returning to Waterloo and probably not much slower either (changing to Overground at Richmond might be even cheaper but in the past Oyster has charged me zone 1 fares to Richmond, even when I travel via the North London Line, plus this a much slower route to the east of London.)

Thanks for the info re: East Putney - Wimbledon. Its a pity, but at least I can plan for whats not going to happen.

 

[UP13]

AFAIK there is no need to go via East Putney on either route. If you want to see it alongside a tube your best bet is it returning via Richmond from Windsor.

If you want to avoid zone 1 fares at Richmond, use the pink reader under the information displays in front of the Overground platforms.

 

[mikestone1952]

No times in RTT yet - but virtually every SWR train to Windsor has a VAR on Tuesdays throughout the period altering the arrival platform there to give zero to two minute turn round.

 

[JonathanH]

No times in RTT yet - but virtually every SWR train to Windsor has a VAR on Tuesdays throughout the period altering the arrival platform there to give zero to two minute turn round.

Also retimings elsewhere - e.g. a replatform at Redhill around 9pm on the Surrey Hills trip.

 

[JonathanH]

Timings now in the open data feeds:

Empty working from Southall arrives at Waterloo at 0751

5Z80 05+53 Southall Wcr to London Waterloo
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55460/2019/06/04/advanced

Then first train leaves at 0805 using the Latchmere curve to avoid disrupting the morning peak trains on the Windsor lines too much, joining the Hounslow loop at Kew East Junction.

1Z80 0805 London Waterloo to Windsor & Eton Riverside
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55425/2019/06/04/advanced

Arrives Windsor at 0936 - seven minutes to detrain passengers before the empty stock goes back to Waterloo, again via Willesden

5Z81 09+43 Windsor & Eton Riverside to London Waterloo
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55426/2019/06/04/advanced

Arrives at Waterloo at 1108 for ten minute boarding before the second train departs at 1118. This one goes via Clapham Junction to the Hounslow loop.

1Z82 1118 London Waterloo to Windsor & Eton Riverside
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55428/2019/06/04/advanced

Arrives Windsor at 1236 (although there is 11 minutes of pathing allowance between Staines and Windsor) - again seven minutes to detrain and return direct via the Hounslow Loop to Waterloo.

5Z82 12+43 Windsor & Eton Riverside to London Waterloo
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55429/2019/06/04/advanced

Arrives at Waterloo at 1350 for a longer boarding period before the third train departs at 1409. Again, this one goes via Clapham Junction to the Hounslow loop running immediately behind the 1407 from Waterloo stopping service.

1Z83 1409 London Waterloo to Windsor & Eton Riverside
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55430/2019/06/04/advanced

Arrival at Windsor at 1527. Departure at 1543 for Waterloo. This one goes via Willesden and is held there for two hours. Originally it was advertised that there would be a 1800 departure from Waterloo for the Surrey Hills tour but that seems to have been a bit optimistic. Instead, the empty working gets to Waterloo at 1910.

5Z83 15+43 Windsor & Eton Riverside to London Waterloo
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55151/2019/06/04/advanced

Departure from Waterloo is at 1925 and this one goes via Richmond behind the behind the 1920 to Reading and then after Barnes between the 1915 to Hounslow and the 1928 to Windsor through to Staines Down Goods Loop. Here the 1928 from Waterloo to Windsor and 1935 to Reading both pass by.

1Z84 1925 London Waterloo to Chertsey
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55149/2019/06/04/advanced

After a 13 minute wait at Chertsey, the train proceeds through Woking, Guildford and the North Downs line returning to Waterloo via Streatham, Herne Hill and the Linford Street flyover for a 2300 arrival in Waterloo.

1Z85 2049 Chertsey to London Waterloo
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55150/2019/06/04/advanced

The empty stock working leaves Waterloo for Southall at 2310

5Z84 23+10 London Waterloo to Southall Wcr
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55452/2019/06/04/advanced

The obvious problem with these trains will be where they get up any speed following stopping trains. This must all have taken some considerable effort to path.

It is also interesting to see where they take on water. Clearly there is an opportunity at Willesden after the three Windsor trains but there aren't any particularly long stops otherwise.

 

[E759]

Thank you. Shame you can't travel on the ECS working, much more interesting! Reminds me of the Purbeck Explorer to Swanage, starting from Ealing Broadway heading East

 

[Peter C]

Thank you for posting the timings. I probably won't be able to see them, but it will be interesting to see the timings for water/speed.

-Peter

 

[SWT_USER]

I can confirm it was running this morning. It left from Platform 19. The access between P19 and P20 is closed.

 

[telstarbox]

The website says that the 1115 departure could also route via Kensington Olympia:

https://www.royalwindsorsteamexpress.co.uk/page.php?pageid=12

 

[Dibbo4025]

It is also interesting to see where they take on water

I'd suspect Chertsey might also be a water stop - has been used before and makes sense of the stop and headcode change

 

[E759]

I’ve just asked a member of staff onboard and was told water at Willesden for the Windsor shuttle services.

 

[simple simon]

The steamer passes Clapham Junction at 14:20 on Tuesday 30th July 2019 working the 14:05 'Steam Dreams' London Waterloo - Eton & Windsor Riverside service

Its a pity about the weather - the train that passed this platform a few minutes before this one was in sunshine!

 

[UP13]

Are Steam Dreams making money from these? I live on the route and often see trains from my workplace. The standard class coaches on the evening trains seem quite empty.

Anybody here been on one of these? I'm going on the Sunset Express on the 13th.

 

[simple simon]

Are Steam Dreams making money from these? I live on the route and often see trains from my workplace. The standard class coaches on the evening trains seem quite empty.

Anybody here been on one of these? I'm going on the Sunset Express on the 13th.

I don't know how well they are but when I tried to book on the mid-morning departure for last week the standard class was sold out, so I will be travelling this Tuesday coming.

 

[kev1974]

I did the evening loop service in June in Standard Class and there were about 10 of us altogether. First Class looked almost full though when we stopped at Chertsey for water and I had a wander up the platform.

It was a great evening out, the only thing that was a shame about it was that the timing of the trip meant that it was dark for the last 1.5hrs of the trip, so couldn't see anything outside, and that will have got worse as the weeks went on and sunset comes earlier.

 

[simple simon]

It was a great evening out, the only thing that was a shame about it was that the timing of the trip meant that it was dark for the last 1.5hrs of the trip, so couldn't see anything outside, and that will have got worse as the weeks went on and sunset comes earlier.

Well if the last part of the journey is in darkness in the month of June then by the end of this month most of it will be 'after sunset'.

I am on the mid-morning Windsor train tomorrow, once at Windsor I plan to also visit the other station, which from what I've seen on Google Maps looks to be a bigger and right in the heart of the town. It also has a more frequent train service, although passengers need to change en route.

 

[E759]

Well if the last part of the journey is in darkness in the month of June then by the end of this month most of it will be 'after sunset'.

I am on the mid-morning Windsor train tomorrow, once at Windsor I plan to also visit the other station, which from what I've seen on Google Maps looks to be a bigger and right in the heart of the town. It also has a more frequent train service, although passengers need to change en route.

Very large train shed most of which now is a shopping centre. The GWR "station" is little more than a single platform with a very short roof. I retuned into central London via that route too for a bit of variety (purchasing a ticket to the Zone 6 boundary).

 

[JonathanH]

I did the evening loop service in June in Standard Class and there were about 10 of us altogether. First Class looked almost full though when we stopped at Chertsey for water and I had a wander up the platform.

Probably 30 people in standard class when I did it in July but I think the point is that first and foremost the evening trip is about the first class diners rather than those who occupy the standard class carriage.

 

[UP13]

I know it changes but is standard class at the rear? Just got my tickets and I'll either be behind the support carriage or in front of the diesel (which I assume will be running).

 

[simple simon]

I was on this today (mid-morning service) and to my delight found myself in a coach with 2 + 1 seating. Maybe this is normal for standard class?

I enjoyed my trip so much that I would like to do it again, but am not sure if I will have any free Tuesdays before the service is withdrawn in early September.

Before I boarded the train at Waterloo a member of staff told me that Coach B was next to the locomotive at the far end of the train. So I walked along the platform taking photos as I went along. When I got near to the front of the train I discovered that Coach B was actually right next to the diesel locomotive. Ah well....

Actually this snafu worked to my benefit, as I had a excuse to walk through the train - including the Pullman car, the carriages which were kitted out in a similar luxurious way internally but were not Pullmans, the kitchen car and the first class side corridor compartment coaches.

 

[Peter C]

I was on this today (mid-morning service) and to my delight found myself in a coach with 2 + 1 seating. Maybe this is normal for standard class?

I enjoyed my trip so much that I would like to do it again, but am not sure if I will have any free Tuesdays before the service is withdrawn in early September.

Before I boarded the train at Waterloo a member of staff told me that Coach B was next to the locomotive at the far end of the train. So I walked along the platform taking photos as I went along. When I got near to the front of the train I discovered that Coach B was actually right next to the diesel locomotive. Ah well....

Actually this snafu worked to my benefit, as I had a excuse to walk through the train - including the Pullman car, the carriages which were kitted out in a similar luxurious way internally but were not Pullmans, the kitchen car and the first class side corridor compartment coaches.

It's nice to know that you had a good day.
I don't think Mk1s usually have 2+1 seating?
But anyway, well done on having a good day!

-Peter