Steam Dreams charter to the WSR. 16/04/19

This charter is turning out to be a real 'will it run or not' affair. Will it be allowed to run over the full route of the WSR to Minehead or will it simply run top 'n tail to Watchet? With less than two weeks to go the B1 is in doubt after suffering a problem with it's boiler. If it can't be repaired in time can an alternate steam loco be sourced? Needless to say we'll just have to wait and see.

The timings from Maidenhead to Bishops Lydeard and return are now available.
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U52043/2019/04/16/advanced
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U52044/2019/04/16/advanced

<BJ>

 

From a WSR staff member. <BJ>

''A bit more information about this charter. The charter will terminate at Bishops Lydeard and won't be travelling to Watchet or Minehead last I been told, that's if the charter still runs and 61306 ready in time as the whole point is to get that loco down and stay at WSR for its next charter on 4th May. A diesel will take the tour back. Hopefully 61306 get up and running''.

 

I’m currently looking out of my window, watching a PW team using a road rail machine to drop new lengths of rail between Washford Bank and Blue Anchor.

I think that even if ‘Mayflower’ is fit to run, the line beyond Watchet to Minehead may not be complete.

 

Cancelled.
From Steam Dreams:

It is with great disappointment that we have taken the difficult decision to cancel next week’s trip from Maidenhead to Bath and The West Somerset Railway. This is due to news received today of the continued unavailability of our rostered steam locomotive B1 61306 ‘Mayflower’.

Mayflower has developed an issue with her boiler and is in need of further remedial work. During her latest Fitness to Run examination, additional work has been identified that means the locomotive must be stopped for repairs to be carried out. Unfortunately, despite best efforts none of the reserve steam locomotives requested on our specification to Network Rail are available to be used. They are either undergoing the final stages of winter maintenance or have prior commitments and cannot substitute for Mayflower at this late stage.

 

Not the best start to April for steam dreams and Mayflower.

 

61306 is currently at Waterloo for what I believe is a press shoot ahead of this summer's Steam Dreams Windsor shuttles, in steam...

 

I just saw a photo of it, very strange for an engine in need of repair to be on steam and on the mainline.

 

I dare say there is a reasonable explanation, such as perhaps very light steam, but it would be good to know why she's able to pose for the Press but not to pull the railtours that were scheduled in the next few days.

 

I too would be really interested to see the response from Steam Dreams to this. I'd be really surprised that NR would allow a locomotive with boiler issues out onto the mainline, even in light steam, for a press event at London's busiest terminal station. Given 61306 has been declared unavailable to run for these now rescheduled tours, I look forward to seeing what the SD press team come up with to explain this to those booked on said tours...

 

Do you have inside info or is this just speculation.

 

If it fails a FTR then it can't run end of. I would suggest that it was diesel hauled into Waterloo.

 

Was the boiler overhauled at Carnforth, this seems to suggest not? https://preservedbritishsteamlocomotives.com/61306-mayflower/