The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express 2015.

Mr Riley reported that 45407 will be the leading loco over on twerks forum.

 

Thanks Ian , I did think 45407 would be pilot for some odd reason myself.

 

Hope that Hadrian-1 stays advertised the way it is

 

Were all hoping for that as im on that tour.

 

With the amount of power we could miss the Penrith pathing stop

 

I'd be surprised if the Penrith pathing stop was missed.

The allotted time is only 7 minutes, when in railway terms you factor in sections and clearing time of signals, it must be a train following immediately behind the tour is expected. With no loops between Penrith and Carlisle (as far as I'm aware?), I doubt they'd let a 60mph tour continue in front of a potential 100mph+ timed train.

 

Hopefully it should be a 75mph tour.

 

I Don't think so as the black 5's are maxed at 60mph, when the B1 & 45407 did the double header last year that did no more than 63mph because of the permitted maximum for 45407.

 

Even a 75mph tour, with the slower acceleration and braking times, would risk putting in front of a Pendolino service with 7 minutes headway at Penrith, and no places to pass the steam until Carlisle. Recipe for delay charges from VT there....

 

The thread had drifted to 'The Hadrian' so we were discussing 2 x 5xp's. Permitted max. 75mph.

 

Went out today to have a look at the conditions on Shap and the S&C this afternoon . Scout Green has hardly any snow but Salterwath and Shap wells have a fair sprinkling with all roads easily passable . Waitby , Kirkby Stephen , Birkett and Aisgill all having a good three inches but the road over the top passing Birkett is only passable with a 4 x 4 at the moment I would say . Photo from my phone showing Aisgill so hopefully it will stay cold and the snow will stay until Saturday .

 

A useful looking recky there Stephen. At the moment it looks like Friday is the day to keep an eye on for weather. Looks like rain, so it will be removing quite a bit of the snow if it stays that way.

 

This might be of some use for checking conditions......http://www.ingleboroughwebcam.co.uk/latest-hd-image

 

Just out of curiosity, is no one else concerned that 'Leander' hasn't been active since last October, and we haven't heard of anything of the engine since, is she actually fit and ready for Saturday does anyone know? Thanks

 

Steam test all needed been told .

 

Looks like we could be ending up with a white landscape over the S&C

 

Depends on the heavy rain forecast for Friday so fingers crossed .

 

- looks like you may have it dry on the afternoon return so I will raise a glass as we growl past and look forward to your vid Steve,
Alan.

 

'Growl' is a rather emotive word to be using in a steam hauled tour description Mr W.