Vintage Trains - 2021

Doubtful Liam. Big Pacific; leaf fall season; lots of tree lined sections...

 

Can't remember seeing anything like it on film. Would be interesting to know what Martyn had requested and where as the driver on the front is in charge of the train isn't he?

 

The diesel only provided power where requested by the steam driver and I believe the driver on the return leg was the same as the week before, though I wasn't present the previous week.

One thing to bear in mind is that the 47 was providing a train supply on the return which it was not on the way out and thus wasn't actually idling at any point (until it was switched off at Snow Hill), so you might find it more difficult to tell when it was powering - I spent most of the journey in the BSO/buffet next to the diesel and it was fairly obvious when it was pushing. I suppose I could have made a note but speaking as an enthusiast it isn't really something that bothers me - at heart as a 32 year old who had the last years of the 47s on front line duties as their teenage years I am probably more aligned to the 47 much as I love steam!

North of Fenny Compton was intentionally taken easy due to a rough ride the previous week, it was noticeable travelling on a Voyager over it recently how poor the ride quality is there on both roads.

The water issue at Milton was unfortunate but couldn't really be helped.

 

The only other thing I think I'd like to add is to point out that the driver doesn't have the luxury of knowing what other traffic is around him - even a small loss in running time can translate to very significant expenses in the form of Train Delay Attribution. If you're on the train with a smartphone then you have the opportunity to be far more aware of what is going on around the train than the footplate crew and whilst they can contact the guard if operationally necessary that doesn't involve saying "it's OK, you've got some breathing space here".

If it doesn't appear to him, using his considerable experience and judgement, that he will be able to make his booked section time for whatever reason, whether that's due to a heavy train and poor weather, or less water available than expected, then with the best will in the world it is best to ask for assistance because as far as he knows he has another train behind him - delaying anything going into network hubs will max out the TDA payments very quickly, even if it was only a 2 or 3 minute delay in the first instance.

 

I've received a Email regarding the V.T. licky banker tour is 9466 pannier tank still doing this tour? I wonder cos it says the rake of coaches on the day will be reduced so solely the loco will be in charge, however though it dosent say if 9466 is on the tour assisting as the banker.

 

Lickey Banker without a banker???

 

It still shows 9466 on the website. I too think it most unlikely there'll be no banker - I expected it just means the train is cut to a length that needs no diesel. I'd ring VT especially if you are booked on it, Davo.

 

Until it turns into another episode like Blue Peter at Durham. We have a duty to protect and preserve the engines for future generations to enjoy.

 

My understand is that steam hauled trains on the Lickey require two locomotives, be that two steam or one steam and a diesel.

 

And said announcement…

9466 will not be ready for the mainline in time to bank the Lickey Banker tours next month. With load 7, these runs will be unassisted.

7029 will run the first trip.
6233 will run the second trip.

 

Mmm. If that’d the case then Vintage Trains need to rename the train…..

 

My Like was a Thank for real info, not applause for the news...

 

I thought 9466 already has a mainline ticket and thus was running at the severn valley steam gala what's happened has 9466 failed its F.T.R. to run on the mainline for the lickey V.T. tours, or has it been taken out of service for maintenance?

 

So Vintage advertised the trip knowing that 9466 was out of ticket and would not be ready? Surely not? Can we have an official comment please?

 

because its called the Lickey Banker.

 

It’s called the Lickey Banker……. which implies there will be something on the back….

 

It's more like a morning and afternoon Worcester diner shuttle like what the new vintage trains T.O.C. did in 2019 when they started off with their 1st few tours except it's going back up the midland line to Birmingham new street rather than returning via Old hill.

 

But is not called the Lickey Bank; it is the Lickey Incline. So maybe they should rename the tour The Lickey Incliner.
Nick M.