S&C Pathfinder Charter - Aug 2018: Now 16/3/19 and with 60163

I haven't completely given up hope yet, who fancies joining me in a rain dance?!

 

it's as though the weather gods aren't steam fans and are re-creating 68 all over again

 

I have been watching specialist forecasts and the so called predicted Atlantic breakdown is not looking anytime soon. The above average temps are expected to continue well into August, albeit more thunderstorms are expected. The Scandinavian high doesn't look like shifting, so I wouldn't be shocked if we don't see mainline steam return to it's original roots until September.

 

In some ways it's a good job no 1T57 recreation was planned, double-headed 5s with a diesel behind doing the work wouldn't really make for a happy situation.

 

Cumbria had heavy rain over the weekend including yesterday but 45690 was still pushed over the S&C on the Fellsman so with no rain forecast anytime soon diesel assistance is almost inevitable sadly.

 

I'll wash the car and leather it off.............guaranteed rain. I know.

 

You can still wash your car ? --- Lucky man. It must be at least a month since Severn Trent decided we shouldn't.

 

I can't be bothered to wash the car so I've sent Mrs W round to her mother's (witch isn't far away) for a spell - cue Louis Prima . . . "That old magic . . . "

 

Appoint a Minister for Drought. The rain will soon come It worked in 1976

 

This comment has been made by Pathfinder to Railway Herald.

RH: With the 50th anniversary of steam just around the corner, it is unlikely that any approaching an authentic re-creation of those final tours will be possible unless a sustained period of heavy rain materialises.
Pathfinder Tours has confirmed that the 'Settle and Carlisle Golden Expresses' on the 11th and 15th of August that were to run with the A1 Locomotive Trust's 60163 Tornado will still be steam hauled if at all possible with the likely locomotive being LNER A4 Class Pacific No. 60009 Union of South Africa.

Don't like the sound of that as the inference is that they will run regardless. Will get in touch with them in the morning for clarification unless someone close to Pathfinder can clarify their position here..

 

have a barbecue, always rains when just lit

 

On Pathfinder's Website this morning: Golden Express II has been postponed until Weds 3rd October.
No indication that the 11th is being postponed or cancelled. In the window for only a 50% refund for customer cancellations.

 

Also the lack of decision has probably made it financially untenable for Pathfinder to cancel it either by this stage. I do have sympathy for the business but ultimately it's customers money at risk, having booked for something which now seems to be utterly undeliverable. Clearly the "right thing to do" is cancel the 11th August and refund or transfer bookings as requested.

 

I'm booked on the 11th because it seemed eminently appropriate to me to have a steam-hauled trip over the S &C + WCML to commemorate 50 years to the day since the end of steam. Having the A4, or any other steam loco, in light steam chiming away every now and then whilst the diesel pulls the train is not an accurate representation or fitting tribute to the end of steam. There is still a week to go and Pathfinder may yet manage to pull a rabbit out of a hat, but with more scorching weather predicted for next week the outlook doesn't look good.

 

And I have received a letter this morning with the same information.

That is worrying. I'm glad I booked the second one, sorry about the suspense for those who booked for the actual anniversary; though that may still turn out OK.

 

Well it rained on and most of the weekend and p8ssed it down Monday....

 

Wasn't enough to affect the ban though was it? Look how both Dalesman ran. Still diesel inside doing virtually all the work.