Sunset Steam Express. Selected Tuesdays, July/August 2022 (Windsor trips cancelled)

It's official. 3 more runs of the SSE this year, now shown on the website as the following:
12th July - 45231
26th July - 34046
9th August - 34046

All showing as fully booked - wonder if they're only letting those that were booked on the now cancelled weeks to chip in?

 

I don’t think any locomotive owner would entrust their engine to unknown support crews and all would insist that they become members first.
I had the privilege of being with Bahamas on its recent trip to Worcester and found a lot of their way of working was different to MNLPS. Both organisations have engineers who know every nut and bolt on the loco, vital if anything goes wrong.

 

Ah, a Bulleid - good; now, a rake of Mk1s please!

 

Yes sorry. I got it the wrong way around.

 

Looks like the Statesman Mark 2 set is to be used on the July 26 and August 9 trips. It seems to now be possible to book standard class tickets on both of these journeys (although first class / pullman / dining etc all remains sold out).

 

Hmm. So LSL's own admission that air-conditioned mk3s are inappropriate for a steam experience is met by...air-conditioned mk2s! This smacks of poor planning and consideration of the ramifications of taking on more steam running by LSL.

 

I think you are making the assumption that Steam Dreams was a going concern without the LSL takeover. Presumably no agreement was possible with WCRC to continue to use their rolling stock for the remainder of the year once in LSL hands.

 

Possibly so, but it's unsatisfactory now, especially as LSL have admitted that the stock is not right, but continue with it despite saying they would address the situation. I suppose if they can fill the seats (for now), who cares?

 

Depends on how you define "going concern". I understood that the owner has health issues, but the company was presumably operating successfully.
However unlike a number of tour companies they did not own their own stock, although did have their own loco and support coach and one kitchen car which I guess made them unique.
So if you want or need to divest yourself of the operation options are limited, but the opportunity for LSL may have to good to pass up to gain a largish southern presence. So you have to use the stock that is available. A bit like an airline having to lease a couple of non standard aircraft to operate your schedule.
It is 2023 that will show the true position, will they be able to provide stock customers appear to want for a steam tour?

 

You seem to assume they and their customers felt air-con was an issue, don't forget the TSO in the Saphos setis a Mk2 air-con. Judging by the websites the outside and interior of the Statesman set has a much more traditional feel than the Intercity set and it may well be that is what they consider key. Given Saphos is out tomorrow presumably it would have been a tough ask to use that set for SD today and Thursday. Regardless of the ins and outs of the sale, once its happened its probably a difficult balancing act, every cancelled train also means several hundred unhappy passengers for those customers different stock may be the lesser of two evils, does anyone know if SD are forcing passengers to accept the new coaching stock or allowing them to transfer/cancel?

 

From an SD email posted on another forum by a passenger SD stated that they understood the coaches were an issue. Not sure MK2 aircon vs Mk3 makes much difference.
I was told, unsure if it is true, that BR designed the aircon for temps up to 28C and is prone to shut down in higher temperatures. If true may not be a great thing to be sitting in this week.

 

All valid points of course. I have to say there was an odd feeling about seeing 45231 on Mk3s a few weeks back - almost as if a traction emergency had brought steam out of retirement to haul modern trains! The Statesman set may be enough to keep most happy enough to make the runs viable. PS - I like the inclusion of "cushioned seats" in the blurb about the Mk2s - obviously aimed at those used to 'ironing boards' these days!

 

I think BR designed the aircon on my BMW!

 

Whats the situation on fire precautions on this route? I assume the risk is high?

 

I would assume so but there's actually the chance of patchy light rain this evening. Not enough to make a significant difference, though.

 

Well it looked better on the mk2s than mk3s as it left Victoria tonight parallel to my 465 ride home. The 5 sounded quite good through the open windows probably better than onboard. First time I've seen a pair of very white LED cluster headlamps in use on the front of steam..

 

Yeah, BMW aircon is not brilliant is it. Thats why we have to drive so fast.

 

I didn't assume it; they said so and said they were working on different stock. However, if enough seats can be filled with a/c mk2s, so be it.

 

Too hot for visible exhaust this evening but sounding fine at Buckland with quite a slow, loud approach to Betchworth summit suggesting no/negligible assistance. 8k video frame with video to follow.

 

It certainly seemed to be taking the main bulk of the work this evening with the diesel at the rear doing very little, lifting its own weight at most I'd say.