VT - 4965: The Welsh Marches 29th August

Sorry my fault i had looked at another set of timeings that have now disappeared

 

The tickets went out in the First Class post Monday (last) night.

We are using 5043 around the clockwise circular route. The route is the original as planned. Unfortunately the loco is not!

We are completely full on this one, but 5043 will be running the same tour later in the year on 26th September.

 

Unfortunately I have just had to send out this email:

Dear Passengers,

We apologise for writing to you two days in a row about the same railtour. However, we regret to inform you that as of 10:30 am today (Tuesday 30th June), Network Rail (Western Region) have imposed a total steam ban for this forthcoming weekend. After the disappointment of the failure of “Duchess of Sutherland”, we have decided to postpone the railtour rather than attempt to run diesel-hauled alone.

We are re-scheduling the railtour for Saturday 29th August and hope to use No: 4965 “Rood Ashton Hall”, but there are several processes that need to completed before we can confirm this loco over this route.

With regard to your booking, we can either:

· Retain your booking for the revised date of 29th August, 2015 - We will automatically retain your booking - you need take no further action.

· Transfer you to an alternate railtour.

· Offer you a credit note for use on any future Vintage Trains or Shakespeare Express trip.

· Offer you a full refund.

We will automatically move your booking to the new date of 29th August. If this is acceptable, you need to take no further action.

If you wish to transfer to an alternate railtour, receive a credit note or a refund, please respond via email to: tickets@vintagetrains.co.uk

We apologise for the inconvenience and share in your deep disappointment and frustration this situation has caused.

Yours faithfully

Ben Mason - For Vintage Trains Ltd

 

Thanks Ben for info

 

Unfortunate as the heatwave is likely to be shortlived and its not even been very dry in your part of the world, but at least you have done the right thing Ben.

Don

 

Not really unexpected, though interesting that Western Region went straight to total ban rather than diesel doing the work and steam loco holding the headboard.

Out of curiousity, where re the boundaries between Midland & Western on the Birmingham - Bristol and Newport - Chester routes ?, pretty sure it's Banbury on the Birmingham - London.

 

Bone dry in Worcester and I bet it doesn't rain until the weekend of the Royal International Air Tattoo

 

David, The boundary between Midland and Western routes is at Blackwell (top of Lickey). There is no boundary on the Marches, it is Western route all the way from Maindee to Salop, and then crosses into North West at Nantwich on the Crewe line, and just north of Ruabon on the Chester line. The Midland/Western Boundary on the Birmingham to London route is near Heyford, south of Aynho Jnc.
The ruling for fire risk this year has been changed by NR. It is now a simple Steam/No Steam alternative. There is no official sanction for Diesel locos to be used to reduce fire risk any more.

 

That great, thanks

 

the times are on RTT for the 29/08/15

 

As I think it unlikely that the SD trip on 29th will be steam from Salisbury or if it is it will have a minder I think I am going to book in this one. But us the Hall gauged for the route?

 

The Hall has been confirmed in gauge for this route ! 100 + miles non stop running on this trip I believe ! A no brainer really & possibly new ground for 4965 !

 

Well that settles it then. 4965 it is

 

Anyone remember when A Hall last ran single headed up the Marches from Newport? We did Burton Agnes Hall on 18th June 1989 and photographed the second run later the same year but that was Hereford-Shrewsbury-Newport steam both times. Guess it was either Hagley or Raveningham way before then.

 

I believe Kinlet Hall did a Welsh Marches several years ago, but this will be a first for 4965 in preservation.

We are having to avoid New Street and run via the Sutton Park loop to return to Tyseley - nothing to do with gauging - several platforms are off limits at New Street due to construction.

The Welsh Marches is always a good day - 121.50 Miles of (hopefully) non-stop running from Droitwich Goods Loop to Hereford. Unless we are told otherwise between now and Saturday morning, we are not planning on any diesel assistance.

We still have a few seats available for anyone that wants to come with us.

 

I would love to do this trip but am otherwise engaged for part of that day. Will it happen again next year?

 

We will run the Welsh Marches with 5043 on 26th September, then at least 3 or 4 times with various locos next year. This and the Cotswold Explorer are regular routes for us.