Christmas Cheshireman, 28th November

Anyone got any insider info on this one? It's still on RTC's site but the Severn Tunnel is closed all weekend so can't see this one running either.

 

• From 02:25 on Saturday 28 until 03:50 Monday 30 November.

https://www.networkrail.co.uk/timetables-and-travel/engineering-works-service-alterations/

At present there is nothing on engineering works & disruption showing up on National Rail Enquires site for that weekend at The Severn Tunnel.

But Great Western's website shows a bus service from Bristol Parkway to Newport on Sat 28th.

I have emailed RTC to try and find out what is happening.

Thanks 1020 Shireman for flagging it up.

 

If I recall last year when this was the case SD's CathEx to Shrewsbury went up to Gloucester and through Chepstow to get to the Marches. Perhaps they are taking that route instead.

 

It would add an hour on to each leg of the journey. But RTC's website still shows travel by Severn Tunnel. Have contacted them to see if tour goes ahead or not.

 

RTC have emailed back, the train would travel via Gloucester, and then along by The Severn. They have still to receive confirmed timings from Network Rail.

 

Can't see the train getting to Chester unless there is a really early start and late finish to the day. It was already a guaranteed diesel shoveage day with Tangmere as motive power. We are holding back on booking to see if the Black 5s come down.

 

Same here, the information was 6.50 start, 11.00 finish, but don't want to book if a diesel is on the front of the train. I also wondered if there were still clearance issues with a bridge near Yate.

 

We did two Wales Borders trains in 2013/4, steam hauled from BTM up Filton to Gloucester. We had Tangmere first year, Braunton second so hopefully nothing has changed clearance wise. Looks like steam as the Hereford passenger thing is consistent with watering with the stock on the middle road. Anyone heard anything about motive power?

 

Had a look at UKsteam, but I don't think that 'TBA' was posted on earlier in the week.

THE CHRISTMAS CHESHIREMAN-

​

Bristol-Chester [wcrc]
35018 34067/TBA: Bristol-Hereford-Chester and return
[Rescheduled from 21-Nov]

 

Earl of Mount Edgcumbe ran from Tyseley to the WSR in June of this year. The train ran via Gloucester and Yate in both directions.
I appreciate that trackside clearances change over a period of time but steam has used the route in the last six months. <BJ>

 

Thanks, Free2grice for the update. Looked at this tour, the RYTC webpage now shows that the train is running to Shrewsbury, not Chester.

"Join us on this interesting trip by vintage steam train to the historic city of Shrewsbury."

The webpage shows that Tangmere is going to be hauling the train. But UK steam added TBA at some point over the weekend. I might be happy to book, but until I'm sure that there will be a steam engine in charge, I'm reluctant to act.

 

Fingers crossed Tangmere doesn't make it back in time, and they send down the Fives instead ! With the pickup at Abergavenny, your just guaranteed a diesel on the back and that would be the case if it's indeed Tangmere.

 

I really hope that for passengers that rtc makes their announcement soon.

 

RTC have the train now to Shrewsbury. Tangmere still motive power.

 

As the charter no longer visits Chester perhaps now is the time to retitle the train 'The Christmas Shropshireman'. <BJ>

 

It's hard to imagine that RTC haven't got the situation in hand. One possibility is that Carnforth may be working flat out to complete the repairs to Tangmere in time but don't know as yet whether the deadline (which is a week on Thursday with the Poole-Bath train) will be met. Are the Riley Back Fives on standby? Possibly. No doubt all will be revealed soon. RTC has a block of Christmas trains in the South and South West all currently allocated to Tangmere. With neither Britannia class and no other Bulleid available, the options for substitutes are rather limited. The Marches and Severnside lines are fine and can accommodate pretty well anything, but the Sherborne, Eastbourne and Three Bridges-Bath routes all contain some pinch points which rules out a good few main line favourites, sadly. Looking ahead to the Eastbourne run, I'd love to see Scots Guardsman or one of the Jubilees down here near my home, but quite apart from support crew issues, clearances in the tunnels on the Tonbridge-Hastings line which weren't singled in the 1986 electrification sadly rule out these fine engines.

 

Times for this tour are now in RTT:

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50743/2015/11/28/advanced
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50747/2015/11/28/advanced

25 mins at Magor and 36 mins on the centre road at Hereford. The sun won't come up until around Standish Jn!

 

4th time lucky, I'm hoping to be on this one.

Spoke to RTC - they have been assured that Tangmere will be ready in time, but they also (apparently) have a backup locomotive in place (from where?!?!)

If I turn up for my first main line steam tour with a 47 on the front I will be cross!!!

 

If it's not on the front it will be shoving on the back. Tangmere has got to be the most unsuitable engine for an Abergavenny pickup you could choose. If you want a proper Steam Hauled Train hope Tangmere doesn't turn up. Like you, I would love to know what the backup locomotive is if is "a locomotive", and not the Black Fives. (Is Ian able to tell all?) The only engine I can think of that is fit to run at Carnforth with no clearance issues is 45231 and that will be just like Tangmere, assisted all day to keep to time.

 

5231 has been sold though and its status is not publicly known.
Agree re the loco/route proposed, a pair of fives would be optimal.