Lakelander Tours 2024

I agree, it makes it a bit pointless to try and compare what happens now to the situation in steam days. Operations then were geared to a crew of average ability and locomotives in average condition that could range from an ex works engine to a run down mechanical disaster. For most footplatemen it was just a job, there were exceptions of course, the exploits of Bill Hoole and Gordon Porter on the Southern sometimes bordered on the reckless. As you say today’s steam crews are enthusiastic or they wouldn’t do it, I think that most of the DB crews who work the Belmond are MNLPS members so they are driving and firing their own engine. Having said that the more unpleasant tasks of preparation and disposal are now done by others and they are guaranteed the engine will be in top mechanical condition. We are lucky to have some top class enginemen on the main line, one of my most memorable experiences in recent years was being privileged to be on Bahamas on the climb to Sapperton Tunnel on a wet rail with ten on the back and no diesel. When I mentioned to the driver that I didn’t notice him go for the sanders he told me he didn’t as he wanted to see if he could work it to the limit of adhesion, it was full regulator with an adjustment on the reverser as we hit the 1 in 60 at Frampton Mansell and no slipping at all.

 

Very well put Peter , pretty sure plenty of lineside folk and passengers appreciate the footplate crews hard work whatever is happening at the rear.

 

One problem with that is that is the shunting at Kingswear would be complicated without a diesel on the back, and it all has to be fitted in between the regular P&D service trains which can be tricky. There is also the question of the short but punishing gradients on the Kingswear branch on which even Class 8's have come to grief before...

 

Question for the historians---- how common was banking passenger trains (ie steam on the back) in BR days? My impression is --- Shap, Beattock yes. A good shove out of termini , yes. Apart from that I'd have thought piloting was more common, but still very rare on ex LNER and SR ( Night Ferry aside).

 

Glasgow Queen St
Lime St
Manchester Victoria
Bradford

Just off the top of my head.

As you say Piloting was very very common all over the Network. As others have said it was all geared towards it. Class 7s not overloaded either and if they were help was usually asked for.

All being well 60007 will be on its own Southbound over Ais Gill on Thursday, loads of time available. No guarantees though, its a very heavy train and the engine simply can't be thrashed in any way. Its too precious.

 

Music to my ears Mike. I will be on board, completely understand re no guarantees. Are you driving?

 

Including freight; Exeter, Folkestone Harbour, Masbury on the S&D, Brimscombe, Lickey, Suger Loaf, Peak Forest, Copy Pit, Grayrigg and several places in the NE on freight lines

 

Exeter surely also Southern passenger trains in the up direction.

 

Glasson dock, Lancaster. But I did say passenger.....

 

One from Dalston on Saturday...


Braunton at Dalston

 

Glasson Dock had a passenger station 1883 to 1930, remained open for goods until 1964.

 

Any idea's yet what will be doing the Lakelander on the 8th June please

 

Well I'll be amazed if it is a Lakelander, seeing as the Coast is shut between Sellafield and Millom for engineering works that weekend

 

i am booked on it and not heard anything about the line being not in use from Saphos

 

You might want to point them towards :- Engineering works: Millom | National Rail

 

Back over Shap or the S&C then.

 

Even a path in RTT, are these short notice engineering works then?
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U13496/2024-06-08/detailed