Sugar Loaf Mountaineer : 7/07/18 - now 23/09/18

I was in the middle of planning overnight accommodation to go and film this, I suspect however its going to get the kybosh.

 

Postponement would suit me for one. I would love to do it but can't if it runs on its original date of 7th July.

 

Decision to be made today according to Pathfinder, with confirmation to passengers beginning of next week .

 

Anything but show pony steam ! It's also too long a route and very little time at Carmarthen to make for an enjoyable day if it's show pony or diesel. Cancellation or postponement please.

 

If there has to be one, a postponement to mid-October would be appreciated; otherwise it'll be rather difficult to do whilst in the States! I've been waiting years for steam to reappear on this route.

 

No sign of rain in the long range forecast for the next fortnight so can't see steam running. Hope they postpone it until later in the year. The two tanks did a Shrewsbury-Carmarthen Heart of Wales 125th Anniversary Train on 9th October 1993. Close to that would be good. Nothing on the 6th October in the Autumn Steam calendar yet...

 

However, if it's planned to still use the SRPS railtour stock, it'll have to fit in with the requirements of their own schedule.

And indeed, they have their own tour in the North of Scotland planned for Oct 6th.

 

Mid-October to mid-November would be useful, bearing in mind that I seem to recall that charters require a minimum of three months notice.

 

Please bear in mind that the promotor of this train is Arriva Trains Wales. An entity that ceases to exist in October when the franchise changes hands.

 

True. Cancellation will probably be what happens, unless the new franchisee takes over the current in-tray. Oh well. £95 richer...

 

They might yet run it with diesel ! If this was a Steam Dreams trip, I'd be worried right about now.

 

Interesting point. Would be good publicity for the new franchise but hopefully ATW will be able to run before their franchise runs out as a reliable source told me a lot of work has gone into planning the train.

 

Presumably most of the people who have been involved in the planning will be TUPEd, so if it doesn't happen before the transfer it will come down to the mindset of the new top brass.

 

Well starting to rain this evening, not sure if it's light showers or something a bit more substantial.

 

Take more than a slight shower to stop a steam ban sadly

 

Problem is 45231 is stuck at Southall and can't come north because of the ban

 

The LSL loco moves to/from Southall I've seen have been diesel hauled in light steam, probably the least of the problems. Here in Shropshire it's hot and dry, has been for at least a couple of weeks and the Met Office aren't forecasting rain, what they are forecasting is 25C for Saturday. Time to be realistic about this one I think.

 

Indeed, it's never been tried before. Considering this sort of one-off usually takes a year or so of planning, I suspect they have considered one or two of the pitfalls. 60163 to Walton last year was the product of two years' work. Regardless, I'd say it's all rather academic considering the weather.