Steam trains

hooofck

I was walking on Lancaster Road at the end nearest Londis on Saturday about 4pm and up ahead saw an ENORMOUS amount of steam coming up from the railway below (the Green Lanes to Crouch Hill line). Couldn't see down to the tracks from where I was though. Does anyone know if there were steam trains running on Saturday? If so, do we know if they might pass this way again? Would be great to see. Thanks.

Four Eyes

I heard that steam engine blow it's whistle too.

I don't know about the Goblin line, but on the mainline through Finsbury Park steam trains come through quite often, usually the Pullman heading North.

I'm no trainspotter, just our office overlooks the station and they're quite a regular occurence.

Arkady

Four Eyes, you’re on the City North site, right? Have you heard anything more about when businesses on that site have to move? I’ve been told that they plan to commence construction late 2012. I’ve also had it confirmed that the City North guys own Clifton House, and they will put together a redevelopment proposal for that whole block once work is underway at City North. Very exciting.

Four Eyes

Arkady, yes we're on the top floor of City North. We signed a 3 year lease here in November last year and the landlord has told us he'll honour this taking us up to November 2012.

I don't know about plans for Clifton House, all I know is where I'm currently sitting will be a 21 storey tower block in a few years.

Jenowl

It sounds like the steam you saw was coming from The Tynesider, LNER A4 Class 4-6-2 no 60019 Bittern, returning from Kings Cross to Newcastle.

The next steam train will be at Finsbury Park around 0950 this Friday, returning about 2045.

Rona

I saw the steam on Saturday. I was looking out of my kitchen window and I saw masses of steam coming from the railway but it was the Gospel Oak to Barking line that I'm on, not the mainline Kings Cross line. I couldnt see the train as it is a cutting there but I sure was excited. I looked for the Bittern about a month or so ago as it was advertised on this site, but unfortunately it was cancelled!

Talking of sounds does anyone else hear the tawny owls at night. Real hooo-hoo followed by a kewick. Lovely. I guess they are also along the Gospel Oak Barking line and the Parkland Walk.

andy

<http://www.uksteam.info/tours/trs10.htm>; they're reasonably regular I think. I found this via the very good <http://www.ianvisits.co.uk>;

Rona

Thanks for that incredibly good website, Andy. I think I might subscribe to that. Here are links to listings for free events in London:

http://www.freelondonlistings.co.uk/

http://www.freelondonevents.co.uk/

Four Eyes

For those of you who are interested, the <a href="http://www.semitacomms.com/index.php/the-christmas-tynesider---181210.html">Christmas Tynesider</a> will be coming through Finsbury Park shortly after 8am on Saturday...LNER A4 Pacific No. 60007 (apparently). Might be nice to see from the station, or if you're tall enough from the bridge over to the park?

Jenowl

For anyone wondering if they are tall enough, I think you need to be at least 5' 5'' (or take something to stand on). I'm 5' 4'' and I can't quite see over. The little ledge near the ground is too shallow to stand on for more than a few minutes at a time because you have to hang on to the top of the wall to keep your balance.

Rona

I'm only 5.2. Would it come past Harringay station - it shoud do? I'll watch it from there. Last time I tried watching the train was cancelled and I was really disappointed.

Four Eyes

Rona, the steam train came through last Saturday. I wouldn't want you to wait at Harringay station at 8am this week to be disappointed.

Another 2 steam trains have come through Finsbury Park this week, not sure which ones they were.

Rona

Four Eyes thanks for that. I'm going to the website Andy gave in future to look as I would really love to see a steam train go past Harringay.