The Midday Scot, Saturday 11th March 2017.

Can't make up my mind about this one. Would love to and did last years. BUT will WCR Follow DB's example and send a diesel light engine to Edinburgh to bring the train back?? Any insider info Ralph?

 

If it's cold wear more layers....

 

Have just received an E-mail from RTC offering 10% discount but notes that diesel haulage on the return means only 90 minutes in Edinburgh itself. Hmmm not even time to get a decent set of images of the local bus fleet on Princes St.

 

Maybe @meltonnorth can repeat on his enlightened message about the Buxton Spa Express being pure steam and confirm the same (or otherwise) for this one.

Last year was a tour de force with so many partners combining to pull the rabbit from the hat. All credit to WCRC who, whilst still being banned, co-operated to make the tour possible. We then had the "excitement" of poor coal affecting the tour and the crew performing a miracle at Carlisle to ensure we continued to Edinburgh by pure steam. No problems with temperature on the train. We did not miss ETH (red herring) and everyone was happy. And the diesel was always nearby "just in case."

Hope there is a repeat performance this year.

 

Fair point Ralph but then you are looking from the "staff" perspective whilst I'm looking at it from the "customer" perspective.

 

The total duration of the trip is significant from the customer's perspective too.

 

It was about the same last year with some changes due to the coal issue at Carlisle causing a delay. Plenty time to grab some food and drink at the Café Royal and reasonable total trip time for the day.

 

Even with poor coal 46233 made a decent steady climb on Shap I thought last year .

 

Indeed. Quote from @pjliners excellent report on last years tour.
"On the downhill stretch she took until well after Low Gill to reach a maximum of 57 along the Lune Gorge, and any hope of a run at Shap had gone when she passed Tebay at 47. The misery continued as she dropped to 35 at Birkeck viaduct, 27 at Greenholme and 17 at High Scales. Briefly down to 16 mph, she recovered back to 17 at Scout Green and 19 at Shap Wells, but she was down to 16 again at the top of the climb. Poor coal and inexperienced crew were speculated on as the reasons, and it certainly seemed that Grayrigg had winded her. A lively run downhill, in the seventies all the way from before Thrimby Grange to Wreay, with a maximum of 75 at Plumpton, saw our late arrival in Carlisle reduced to 7 minutes."

 

Times now on RTT.

 

Lineside waffle states that 46115 could be on this instead.

 

Excuse me, does anyone know the arrangements for 6233 duchess of sutherland when it arrives in edinburgh on the railtour? Thank you.

 

Looks like the stock will move to Craigentinny for servicing: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50657/2017/03/11/advanced

6233 will then move back to Carlisle via Beattock: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50662/2017/03/11/advanced

Spends the night in High Wapping Sdgs, before continuing to Carnforth on Sunday: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50663/2017/03/12/advanced