34028 and going Main Line

Indeed, now shown as 2 x Cromptons on R Herald Railtours

 

RTC have confirmed that 34028 will haul both The Varsity Explorer, Slough - Chester, on 25th October, and The Chiltern Explorer, Manchester - Reading, on 1st November.

Presumably 34028 will spend the week at Carnforth in between the two trips.

 

Before the trip to Chester on the 25th, I wonder if WCRC will want to undertake a running-in turn (once the middle connecting rod is in place) for 34028 as well as, perhaps, another loaded test train?
Can't see anything on RTT yet - but perhaps repairs at Herston Works (?) are not yet complete or the rod not yet re-fitted at Southall.

 

Did it come back to Herston Peter? I thought there was no access for a low loader at Southall with Three Bridges being weight and width restricted and a very difficult turn (too long for a loco) on to the Uxbridge Road at Iron Bridge. I have seen no mention of a rail movement anywhere. I know the latest Steam Railway says it was, but these days if they told me the time I think I want to see a clock first to see if they were correct.

 

There is access for a low loader but the only loading point I know about is on the LSL side. I don’t know if they would allow anything associated with WC to use it though

 

I thought the component(s) went back to Herston but the loco remained at Southall?

 

So did I.
It seems my ".. but perhaps repairs at Herston Works (?) are not yet complete or the rod not yet re-fitted at Southall." could have been phrased better.