Cathedrals Express 05-09-10

AT the moment its very much wait and see , if and its a big if both brits are availible and another loco can be roustered to do the spitfire tour then thats great, whats 30777 doing on that date, seing as she is now pathed for kent?

 

777 is part of RTC's "pool" for the Dorset Coast trains through July and August, so she's one of the candidates for this trip. She has been approved for some routes in Kent, but not sure if she could cover all of The Spitfire's diagram. Besides, I'd rather see her in Devon and Dorset.

70000 is penciled in for quite a few trips in the South this summer, starting with The Cornishman, Bristol - Par 29th May, and she's included in the RTC Dorset Coast pool. Obviously, as JS said earlier, nothing's certain until the tests and paperwork are complete, but the chances of her being ready by 5th Sept must be pretty good.

I wonder whether Tangmere will be fit by then? I see she has been replaced by 5029 on the Cathedrals Express to Worcester on 1st July. I hear persistant rumours that a large section of firebox is being replaced, and it's taking much longer than expected.

My guess: Britannia London - Exeter - Salisbury; Sir Lamiel Exeter - Yeovil - London. But it's just a guess!

 

I very much doubt you will see Britannia on the Cornishman just two weeks away, there has been no test run or running in as yet as far as I know, 60019 Bittern is most likely to be doing it.

 

RTC website has already changed it to 60019, although the photo is still of 70000 during its last foray into Cornwall (1995?).

Regards,

Dan

 

I am really hoping this just a silly mistake,but in the latest SD brochure received this morning in the post,the routing for the Exeter trip on 5th Sep is stated as being Salisbury,Yeovil J reverse,Castle Cary reverse,Taunton Exeter then DIESEL Exeter Yeovil J and steam YJ Waterloo.All reference to double-heading has disappeared also!

Will give them a call Monday to see what is going on,unless someone better informed than me can comment further?

 

No path between Yeovil Junction and Chard for steam. 15 minutes between consecutive SWT trains on the single line but steam workings require up to 25.

John.

 

UKSteam.info now showing this, too. When will the new double-track section through Axminster be ready? Can't come soon enough...

 

70000 has also been crossed out on UKsteam info. so what is working this trip now is anyones guess!

 

The Axminster doubling is already finished and commissioned, but the timetable of service trains has now been expanded to fill just about all the available paths. It is just as difficult to find a suitable path for steam railtours between Yeovil Jc and Chard/Axminster as it was previously.

David