If you register, you can do a lot more. And become an active part of our growing community. You'll have access to hidden forums, and enjoy the ability of replying and starting conversations.

No Christmas in Weardale

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by garth manor, Oct 26, 2025 at 10:37 AM.

  1. garth manor

    garth manor Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 10, 2009
    Messages:
    1,950
    Likes Received:
    547
    Weardale Railway Announces Cancellation of Santa Express due to Locomotive Failures
    Weardale Railway has today announced, with deep regret, the cancellation of its planned Santa Express services for the 2025 festive season, which were due to begin at the end of November. The decision follows serious and unforeseen mechanical problems affecting the railway’s two operational locomotives.
    https://www.weardale-railway.org.uk...n-of-santa-express-due-to-locomotive-failures



    Despite extensive efforts by the team to resolve the issues and secure suitable replacements - including outreach to more than 30 locomotive owners and organisations across the UK - the railway has been unable to source alternative engines in time to reliably deliver the much-loved Christmas experience.
     
    garth manor, Oct 26, 2025 at 10:37 AM
    #1
  2. Chris86

    Chris86 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2011
    Messages:
    1,718
    Likes Received:
    2,128
    Occupation:
    Safety, technical and vehicle trainer
    Location:
    South Yorkshire
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Crikey, that's going to have a massive financial impact of have thought.

    Don't they usually run with one of the Riley fleet?
     
    Chris86, Oct 27, 2025 at 5:26 PM
    #2
  3. 5944

    5944 Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Jan 14, 2006
    Messages:
    9,404
    Likes Received:
    10,463
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Train Maintainer for GTR at Hornsey
    Location:
    Letchworth
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    That's Wensleydale. Weardale is top and tail 31s.
     
    5944, Oct 27, 2025 at 5:31 PM
    #3
  4. Chris86

    Chris86 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2011
    Messages:
    1,718
    Likes Received:
    2,128
    Occupation:
    Safety, technical and vehicle trainer
    Location:
    South Yorkshire
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Absolutely, apologies was having a brain fart.
     
    Chris86, Oct 27, 2025 at 5:32 PM
    #4
    5944 likes this.
  5. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2005
    Messages:
    10,424
    Likes Received:
    10,376
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Alderan !
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    there must be an available couple of diesels somewhere to save christmas in weardale
     
    Sidmouth, Oct 27, 2025 at 6:43 PM
    #5
    silversteellady likes this.
  6. 21B

    21B Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2009
    Messages:
    4,506
    Likes Received:
    10,287
    You would think, but most railways don’t have much of a surplus of the diesels, and will be wanting to protect their own services, I suppose.
     
    21B, Oct 27, 2025 at 11:13 PM
    #6
    silversteellady likes this.
  7. 5944

    5944 Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Jan 14, 2006
    Messages:
    9,404
    Likes Received:
    10,463
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Train Maintainer for GTR at Hornsey
    Location:
    Letchworth
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    It would appear not. Ignoring the multitude of 50s, ETS fitted diesels aren't exactly common. D9000 is the only operational Deltic at present (the DPS ones are having work done over the winter). Locally (well, NYMR), 31466 has knackered tyres, and 47077, don't think the ETS has been used since it finished with Virgin XC. Wrong voltage on 33s. A couple of Peaks maybe, but again, when was the last time it was used? 37/4s still being used on the mainline. Not many options.
     
    5944, Oct 27, 2025 at 11:55 PM
    #7
    35B and silversteellady like this.
  8. garth manor

    garth manor Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 10, 2009
    Messages:
    1,950
    Likes Received:
    547
    The reality is that there are less operational passenger locos, both steam and diesel, around the heritage sector and a few more locations than say 30 years ago. Weardale's own ex Ashington 40 has been laid up long term, their 31 failed, again locally both the NYMR and NELPG are well down.
     
    garth manor, Oct 28, 2025 at 10:12 AM
    #8
    jnc, silversteellady and Sawdust like this.

Share This Page