70000 Britannia | Powering through Welwyn North with Steam Dreams ill-fated KX-York - 23rd July 2025

#rail200 #ecml #steam

Wednesday 23rd July would see Steam Dreams run another tour along the popular route from London Kings Cross to York along the East Coast Main Line. The tour would run direct down the ECML via Potters Bar, Stevenage, Peterborough, Grantham and Doncaster through to York. The return would start diesel hauled, running to Milford before reversing for steam to taking the line to Hambledon to re-join the East Coast main line and run as the outward leg. The tour was booked to be hauled by 70000 'Britannia'.

As usual with the timings of ECML tours on the southern section there is only one shot available without going north of Peterborough, and as tempting as it was to chase a rare loco on the ECML I also had work commitments. I was however able to take an hour out of work and headed for Welwyn North, for the short sprint along the twin track section over Digswell Viaduct, through the station and the two tunnels. Two cameras are set up at the northern end of the down platform and we see 'Britannia' power through the station just after a London bound 377, and just ahead of two northbound Azuma's, running around 10 minutes late and being squeezed in amongst the busy weekday morning traffic.

The return should of seen us head for Knebworth, unusually this tour does not pick up/set down at Stevenage and was accordingly pathed along the up fast, so a shot was planned from the down fast platform as 'Britannia' climbed the gradient from Langley Junction and through the station...alas...'Britannia' failed at Peterborough on the outward leg. She was removed from the train and later ran to the Nene Valley Railway, with the diesel on the rear taking over for the rest of the tour and another diesel dispatched from Crewe to join the rear of the tour at Peterborough on the return for the reverse journey back to Southall after arriving at Kings Cross. A shame for the passengers and all concerned with 'Britannia', fingers crossed repairs can be completed soon.

Photos...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/alts198...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/alts198...