Ynys Mon Express: 28/04/18 - Postponed

Timings now out for this.

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U52341/2018/04/28/advanced

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U52344/2018/04/28/advanced

Anyone from Nat Pres on this?

Dave B

 

Not on this but on Ebor Flyer which is two weeks earlier but no timings yet.

 

Both this and the Saphos NWCE have very good paths, the quickest I think I've ever seen on the route, just 2 hours 3o mins running time for the 105 m 52 ch journey. More credible with Tornado as it doesn't need a water stop.

 

Tornado is now not running on this trip. Does anyone know what the replacement will be? I fear they may replace it with diesel.

 

There is always a possibility this might be cancelled or postponed until Tornado is available.

As I mentioned elsewhere, I'm hoping it is steam, either on the 28th or later, for purely selfish reasons, not having seen steam through my local station on the Derby-Stoke line since moving to the area a few years back.

No doubt an announcement will follow soon.

 

Thanks. I couldn't find any other post about this except this one. I too hope it is either postponed or a replacement steam loco is supplied. Cheers.

 

Can you say where you saw it was not running on this trip, as I can't see anything on the A1 site or anywhere else that says that?

Dave B

 

With less than two weeks to repair the damage I would be extremely doubtful that the A1 will haul this trip. The A1 people are good but that would require miracles.

 

As a passenger on this trip I just wondered if @Barrykap knew for definite or was just speculating. I'm sure the trust wll give an update on Tornado's future trips when they can.

Dave B

 

Hi all. I was initially told of this by the booked Tornado driver (DBCargo) Bob Hart for the trip as he is a friend of mine. The loco 'failed at St Neots on Saturday shortly after compleing a 90mph section and is expected to be out of service for 3 to 4 weeks, thus the 28th trip is out if this is true. I suppose there is the million-to-one chance it might be repaired in time but Bob thinks not. It was lack of lubrication to the middle cylinder valve linkage causing the combination lever to seize up

 

Tour now confirmed as postponed to a later date, as confirmed by email just received.

A message from the

A1 Steam Locomotive Trust

Dear Passenger

Thank you for your booking on the Ynys Mon Express on Saturday 28 April.

As you may be aware, Tornado suffered serious mechanical failure over the weekend while on a railtour to York. Unfortunately it will not be possible to have the locomotive ready for the tour in eleven days time and and we have been unable to find an alternative steam locomotive to run in her place. The decision has therefore been taken to postpone the tour to an as yet unconfirmed date later this year.

We will be in touch within the next few days to let you know when the tour will run and apologize for the disappointment that this situation will no doubt have caused.

Kind regards,

The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust



Dave B

 

Thanks for that. At least the trip will run later in the year.

 

Rec'd email from UKRT on behalf A1ST advising rescheduled for Sat 29 Sep 2018.

Email says may not be able to call at Derby due to engineering works.

I called office this morning and they advised if not calling Derby will be steam from Leicester to Holyhead and back to Crewe, diesel to Leicester.

Have transferred booking to nrw date and used my Ebor voucher to get reduction on Auld Reekie Sun 7 Oct.

 

Was there any mention of possible route change? Guessing if it's not calling at Derby it might head Nuneaton and WCML rather than the NSR via Uttoxeter and Stoke. Hope not, but wouldn't be surprised.

 

I did mention I booked partly because of Uttoxeter line and they said only change could be avoiding Derby, so assume it would simply go via Castle Donnington.