6201, her new lease of life.

The Mk1 carriages WCRC use and Vintage Trains Mk2s are not air-braked. There's no need to air brake the locos.

 

The VT mark 2s are VO ..the vast majority of WCRC stock is dual braked or AO ..they only have a handful of VO coaches ..
The majority of operators use air system to operate the CDL ,something VO locos are unable to do .

 

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It is more than likely that the use of vac braked stock will be banned on the main line at some time, it the reason I used the term ‘future proof’. I would also point out that today’s RTC train from Euston to Chester was originally allocated to Bahamas but for obvious reasons it couldn’t work it.

 

Apart from WC and VT I can’t think of anyone else who uses Vac braked stock on the ‘Big Railway’ this is why it can be a massive ball ache when things don’t go according to plan.

 

This is why 47s are often on the back, following light loco or placed at strategic locations when railtours operate. No different to air braked locos in that sense.

 

That's nearly all railtours outside of LSL. DB only operate the Pullman now really, and some Pathfinders.

 

Maybe one day, but until ORR set it upon any operator, I can't see anybody doing the work on a whim. Look at the CDL situation!

Bahamas seems to be under maintenance at Haworth anyway looking at a KWVR facebook post from the other day, so without the air braking stock it was probably unlikely the engine would have hauled the train.

 

I wonder if the dual braked stock air braking system is ever used? May not be operational or used, no staff competency etc. These things aren't always clear cut.

 

And even that is the Pathfinder trips they had already signed a contract for before they pulled out of charters is it not?
No idea if that "deal" with the Tornado folks will still happen or not.

 

Why have you got such an objection to air braking? I'm sure Bahamas would have ready to work it and the rest of the season's trains that must now be in doubt along with all the West Coast Vac only engines. Given the choice I think most drivers would opt for air over vacuum, much more efficient and doesn't need constant adjustment to maintain a smooth braking force.

 

I assume DB are running the Pathfinder charters again this year as it's 67 haulage to Shrewsbury before NR 97s take over the Cambrian legs.

 

I'm just saying they aren't going to spend money on fitting something that is a nice to have when money wasn't spent on something that should've been spent on.

RTC haven't removed all references to 45596 from their website. I am sure there is something going on behind the scenes with the ORR that will see non-CDL Mk1s return to the mainline for the short term.

 

I wouldn't bet on it. Air braking capabilities are not just nice to have and compared with the cost of an overhaul its not expensive

 

Sorry to disagree but this (albeit volunteer) driver would opt for vacuum over air, any day. Much easier to control, IMHO.

 

Loads of posts on hear that have absolutely nothing to do with 6201 and her overhaul.

 

I’ve spoken to a couple of main line drivers about this but I suppose it’s a lot different when you are running at max 75 mph.

 

As I understand it, whenever Les Ross is hooked up to a set of WCRC mk1s, it will be using the air system.

 

To bring this back on topic, some publicity in the local paper and also a photo of the boiler being lifted at Carnforth suggesting they are getting on with things, albeit no update on the Society website for c.6 months?

https://www.lancasterguardian.co.uk...-repair-at-carnforth-railway-workshop-4732354

 

You don't expect the website to be updated do you, that's the present day thing for communication and the Lizzie lot don't do communication. If we don't tell anybody anything we don't get it wrong. What's Clive going to do when the pigeon dies?