Availability of Main Line Steam Fleet

This has been a really challenging year for tour operators with such a small pool of locos available. Looking at UK Steam with cancellations due to no available locos, no available stock allied to the work on S&C, surely 2017 can only be better.

 

We can but hope... but we said that last year and the year before...

 

The S&C is probably a blessing in disguise, as no need to try and source additional trains that way even if the Waverly is still running.

 

We do seem to have suffered from a shortage of locos for several years now. We keep hoping that each year will be better than the last as far as availability is concerned but overhauls often take longer than anticipated and some in-ticket locos develop unexpected problems. This is no criticism of the loco owners or those who repair and restore them - it's just part and parcel of the challenge of running locos aged between 60 and 90 years on the modern railway. Full marks to all those who are brave enough to put up the money so that we can enjoy the spectacle.

Having said that, there really does seem to be grounds for hope that 2017 might be better as far as loco availability is concerned - 35018. 35028, 7029 and 6023 spring to mind as possibilities for 2017 while 45212 and 6201 could be in action sooner - i.e., before the end of 2016. Also mid-term overhauls/repairs should be completed for 70000, 70013 and 61306 before too long and there is the possibility of 5029, 6024, 44932 and perhaps 34067 emerging from overhaul/repair.

 

I'm not sure whether the return of 35028 and 7029 will do much to improve overall loco availability on the mainline, as 35028 will probably be mostly used on the Belmond Pullman, with perhaps a couple of outings on normal tours each year and 7029 will almost certainly be restricted to Vintage Trains only.

 

Things never seem to get better year on year do they? Regarding Britannia, according to the Icons Website, her boiler ticket expires next year. Don't remember them doing the 5 year 'intermediate' retube to extend it to 10. If that's the case, I wonder if they'll hold her back until they can put her out with a fresh 7 year ticket? Also thought Cromwell had an 'extended' 10 year ticket that's also up in 2017. Hope someone can provide different info on both!!!!

 

That final half sentence:- " and perhaps 34067 emerging from overhaul/repair." is highly unlikely, it recently had its firebox condemned, it wont go in the repair queue anytime soon, after all, two bullieds are in the process of rebuilding, a strong economic case to do Tangmere is needed, doubt if it shows up in 2017.....

P S, just my personal opinion.

 

What about 34073s boiler?

 

It is a fair old queue too with 35018, 44932, 34067, 61306, 48151 and running maintenance all vying for attention. That is without 34016 as well.

 

Very true but there is obviously a finite resource in the sense of manpower, machinery and space so some prioritisation seems inevitable. As you say we are not privvy to the criteria.

 

Assuming that is the one with fairly recent silver paint sat on a flat trailer and visible from the WCML it hasn't moved for quite some time.

 

I suspect that when there's a quiet spell, 34073's boiler will find its way onto 34067's frames, as the motion is probably in reasonable order. Either way, I'm glad I managed to get over 1,000 miles during the past seven years, and it has to be said, she did single-handedly prop up the entire charter programme in the south for at least two of those years. I guess this is the price you have to pay for intensive usage.

 

Is the 8 out of ticket end of the year, 46115 must be getting fairly long in the tooth as well, I recall seeing her in July 2008 at the open day when the paint was barely dry after overhaul??

Edit - Looking at http://www.uksteam.info/tours/locos.htm it suggests that 8F boiler was done in 2010 and 46115 in 2008 which tallies with my recollection? That would suggest that the 8F runs till at least 2017?

 

Sure it was mentioned in NP pages 46115 had big work to gain an extension but it probably hasn't much more than 18 months left?
The SSE thread indicated the 8f is under an application for extension to see that season through to mid Sept?
45699 might be due intermediate?
44932 undergoing heavy general it seems for the last 2 years?
Plus any contract work. Big workload.
Is 45231 still there too?

 

I think 48151 has recently returned to traffic.

No point talking about 46115 45690 45699 for the SWML, we only get 44932 if lucky!

 

The IoS website says nothing but I doubt she is at Carnforth, there is no point having a dog and barking yourself?

 

I had no idea poor old Tangers needed this much work. Thanks for the update, even if it's rather sad news.