Saphos 2022

Looks like chalk marks on the running board, brings back memories of loco's in Crewe works awaiting finishing and outshopping
Notice the air pump is still on the side of the smoke box and not moved to the underside of the boiler, probably easier access where it is.

 

Reminiscent of 70043/44 in their early days with the air pump and lack of blinkers.

 

Courtesy of the LSL Facebook page, here is Britannia being loaded onto a low loader at Crewe this morning. She's being taken to the Severn Valley Railway for a month of running in. Nice little money earner for SVR whilst they're closed to passengers.

 

Changed back to the handhold type deflectors I see. Wonder if they are the originals from when the handrail type was fitted in the 1990's?

Regards,

Dan

 

There shall be 2 tours for Saphos in February.

Also Royal Scot has 2 galas

 

That's the second recent instance (after Salisbury) of people standing perilously close to a cable; not under tension when the picture was taken, but would have been when the loco reached the ramp.
Edit: As pointed out below, they may have moved before the cable came under tension.

 

But we have no idea where they were when the loco reached the ramp? I imagine its risk assessed within an inch of its life and if any photo's circulate showing staff where they should not be a bollocking ensues.

One thing I don't understand about the whole thing is why she had to take a POB with her, by road?

 

Exactly, it's not under tension. There's a guy working on the winch at the far end of the trailer as well. It's a photo, a 500th of a second snapshot in time. For all you know, they could've gone for lunch as soon as the photo was taken. Just because they're standing there when the photo is being taken doesn't mean they were stood there when the winching was taking place.

 

So 70000 can have a mainline test run on its return to Crewe.

 

Fair enough: they may have moved out of the way, but they do look as though they are there to watch the move.

 

I assume its because its cheaper to move stuff by road than rail, considering that he test run will be up one of the busiest arterial routes in the country to my limited brain it would make more sense to send a diesel down with the coach and then said safety net could accompany her home?

 

There’s always the 50’s at Kiddy for that if need be.

 

Last time 70000 was on test/running in at the SVR in 2018 she worked back to Crewe with a Class 47 for company. (19/10/18 passing Cranberry - there was a loaded test run the following week)
Don't see why it should be any different in 2021.
I'd anticipate the same would happen with 60007 too.

 

Maybe it was 2 for 1 January

 

Looks like loaded test runs have started with an 8 coach train (7 mk3s and the Mk1 brake)
Unlined boiler and tender is very reminiscent of 1967 in the North West

 

Has anyone got the heads up for Wednesdays motive power for the Crewe to York and return please?

 

70000 at SVR
34046 at TO
Leaves 45231 and 46100 to choose from ,I suspect 46100.

 

TO?

 

Toton

 

34046 in steam at Crewe this morning.