'Princess Elizabeth' to visit the WSR. 23rd August, 2016

An update to Princess Elizabeth's inaugural railtour on 23rd August. Welcome back old girl.

Thanks to 'uksteam' for the info. <BJ>

THE CATHEDRALS EXPRESS - (18/08)

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London Victoria-Minehead (WCRC) [wcrc]
46201: Victoria-Ascot-Reading-Newbury-Norton Fitzwarren §, Bishops Lydeard-Victoria §
Diesel: Norton Fitzwarren-Minehead-Bishops Lydeard
[46201 inaugural tour after overhaul ?]
[WCRC diesel to haul train on WSR]

 

A diesel on the WSR?? So even Lizzie, a Class 8 won't be let loose without a diesel in the consist? Seriously?

 

Perhaps the WSR gauging team have not had sufficient notice to check it out

 

No real surprise as it's Lizzie's first long trip out in a long time and the engine needs to prove itself ! I would be disappointed if it's assisted on the following Sunday, on the trip to Matlock, as that route usually sees pure steam !

 

Perhaps they need to take her off for servicing.

 

It's more that the WSR usually provide a steam loco, them not on a steam tour is unusual.

 

Saves time swapping locos can get to Minehead easy behind diesel, no need to turn etc, Just run round then go back,
Operational reasons thats it.

 

If you "just run round" its still facing the wrong way.

 

Diesels genuinely have cabs both ends, with a few exceptions.

 

We were talking about the steam engine

 

Thanks for clarifying that.

 

You seemed to be a little operationally confused, So happy to help out.

 

I would be suprised if she hauls the trip to Matlock, due size of turntable at Rowsley, and the bridge at Matlock Riverside with a restricted axle loading. Mentioned in Peak Rail thread that they have heard it will be a diesel hauled.

 

From memory experience with Tyseley and Churston that needed a crude extension one time, Lizzie won't fit a 65ft table like the one at Minehead anyway, most out and back day steam excursions see the loco come off at BL to service and turn at NF while another loco takes the train onto Minehead and back.

The baffling bit here would be why a WCRC Diesels on the WSR legs when better motive power options are available.

Apart from Didcot are there any 70ft tables left in use ?, Is probably the case that Lizzie is effectively a triangles only job for turning now, unless cold on depot so you can split loco and tender.

 

Speed the day along using the diesel only need one conductor driver then.

 

Didn't Lizzie turn on Churston's Turntable once?

 

The incoming steam loco is nearly always detached for servicing at Bishops Lydeard, although in this case the loco change is at Norton Fitzwarren (outward), Bishops Lydeard (on return). The use of the WCRC diesel on the WSR might be because the train is air braked (only) and the WSR doesn't currently have an air braled steam loco ?

 

Well there are the tables at York (near the Carriage Works as well as in the NRM), Scarborough and Fort William for starters. I suspect that St Blazey is a 70 footer as is the one at Heaton, so they do exist on the network.

Peter

 

On the contrary - if it's the Steam Dreams set it's vacuum only.

 

IIRC the current SD set of carriages is mainly formed of the ex-MHR Green Train rake which has been hauled over the WSR by various loco's when Daylight Railtours visited a couple of times; once with 73096 and once with 34016. 73096 and 34016 both left the charter trains at BL to enable the loco's to be turned and serviced. They rejoined the charters at Westbury after a diesel hauled section from BL.
41312 + 7820 hauled one leg with 5541 + 7820 returning from Minehead (73096 charter in 1999).
4144 + 4160 hauled one leg with 3205 + 34027 returning from Minehead (34016 charter in 2000).