Vintage Trains 2023

If there's a severe fire risk, steam shouldn't run at all, and this particular trip should be postponed rather than substitute a diesel for a pair of Castles. But if the risk is slight, those two Castles won't need to work very hard on a fairly light train, so even if there is a diesel on the back for emergencies it can stay switched off.

 

I would be interested on how you have come by the statistics that there are many "who are not bothered". I recently travelled, unusually for us, in dining on an RTC steam hauled trip to Edinburgh. The sold out trip had several 'ordinaries' in our coach who had never travelled behind steam. They were beside themselves with joy all day long. I think it can be judgemental to assume the likes of people like those "are not bothered". Nothing further could have been from the truth. On a personal note, I booked this trip with three others for 08/10/22 which due to a rail strike was rescheduled for 12/11/22 subsequently rescheduled, due to passengers unable to make that date, to 13/05/23 (with second Castle) subsequently rescheduled to 10/06/23 due to the closed line south of Oxford. I find it upsetting that after this long wait I would "spoil the day for many who aren't bothered". Hopefully if they're not that bothered they won't mind a rescheduled date as I have had to, multiple times. I would also refer Ralph to the title of the train, Castle Centenarian~ Celebrating the Centenary of the introduction of famous GW Castle Express Locos. Neil

 

Ralph, @16Ventnor and I have skin in the game. Do you?

Nick M.

 

Self destructed.

 

5029 is currently being overhauled at Crewe, unless I am mistaken?

 

I was worried when the trip was postponed from 13th May that 10th June would be too warm/dry

I don't think we've had any rain in Newport for about 5 weeks now.

 

Unlikely to run without a diesel on the back though.

 

Once 60532 is finished then 5029 will be next. 5029 is already in bits and has been for some number of years.

 

Even if it was double heading with 6024 (which given its LSL ownership would be the only GWR engine it could double head with over the Devon Banks) there would still be a tail gunner. Last time LSL went to Plymouth (70000+34046 on 13/07/22) the whole train was turned at Plymouth.

 

It could well do on occasions though, last two years we've seen Saphos trips up the Lickey unassisted.

 

Crikey. Lots of chat speculation! Our transparent position is this: Saturday’s train will run. The NR fire risk index is amber in Wales and ‘south of the Wash’ (yep you can all rush for your maps). Amber means diesel assistance. We will prepare to add the 47 to the back of our train in case there is no rain between now and Friday. If there is and the index returns to green, we will leave the 47 behind. No one will know any more until Friday. If we are obliged to take the 47 it won’t have to do very much as bear in mind we have double the steam power necessary for this train anyway. At worst, it might mean a little shove up to Abergavenny (as it’s been amber in Wales for a week) and possibly a little growl up the Lickey, but the forecast is some showers on Saturday, and that might mean effectively “just” three more carriage loads on the train for steam to pull around. It would be irresponsible to do anything else, especially on a key main line with a hill between Cheltenham and Brum. Now we have access through Cheltenham both ways once again we wish to keep it. The Whistling Ghost and future tours will need it. Chin up everyone. It’ll still be double headed Castles. Such are planned as an annual event. But we do have another off piste trip this year up our sleeve. Those who come on Saturday can expect to hear first as some recompense for even thinking about towing a 47 around; and we are sure you will also want to join this surprise. Shhhhh…,.

 

Thank you Michael, your contribution and explanation is most appreciated. See you Saturday. Neil

 

I am pleased to read

As a shareholder I could have had a free seat on the run to Didcot but I was otherwise occupied that weekend. I booked for the Hereford trip on 13th May, but that was deferred to this Saturday when, again, I will be otherwise occupied.

 

Met Office currently predicting a chance of showers on Saturday itself, of course four days out that can change. But certainly seems that the UK will be getting some form of rain in the coming week.

 

You've lost your sense of fun Al. I said it was irrelevant, as is your response. Everyone is so touchy about VT on here.

 

At the rate that 60532 seems to be coming along, 6024 could be out of ticket before 5029 is finished.

To go off topic a bit for a while (apologies), there have been various photo's on the 6880 Facebook page showing her being finished off at Tyseley and adjacent to her is a Hawksworth Tender in primer, its been suggested that this is 5029's tender, if this is the case not sure why it is at Tyseley and is she coming back with Hawksworth rather than Collet tank on the tender?

Apologies for the drift!