West Highlander

It will probably be load eight and that includes support. Always been that in the past. Black five has done Preston/Glasgow/FW etc and so has 48151. I agree about the eight struggling with times. Last time it was rostered for the trip and timed accordingly.

 

44932, 45231 [seemingly now fixed having hauled yesterdays Fellsman] & 48151 are all options, at least on paper. All have travelled the route before. 48151 would be ideal for the West Highland line but restricted to 50 mph on the WCML. If it can be pathed it would almost certainly result in a later arrival than the 1725hrs current timing but would that really matter on a one way trip arriving so early in the evening. Whether a single Black 5 would be powerful enough would depend on the load but two of them ...... hmm. Double headed Black 5's [44932 + 45231] would add to the crewing and fuel costs. 61994 maybe available North of Glasgow and of course 5972 has been to the West Highlands many times but if still at York is in the wrong place. Even if 46115 is ready I now begin to doubt whether or not it would be wise to use it, straight out of works, on such a lengthy journey, I would have preferred it to have done some local trips first. So there are options, we will just have to see what transpires.

 

Thank you Steve. I just wasn't sure about departure time from Carnforth. Have a good trip.

 

Load 7, including support, is what has been posted elsewhere.

 

I think it is 7+support to Glasgow. One less to FW-a total of 7 vehicles.
Nigel told me yesterday he expected 46115 to be our loco(repairs completed) + mentioned the presence of 44932 at Carnforth.
Anyway,we shall see. Black fives in good nick were good for 8 over Shap in my experience.........
I'm hoping for a memorable run with 46115 to Glasgow Central on a trip that some forum members would seem to feel shouldn't even be allowed to run.
SLOA are unlikely to have allowed WCML north or Carlisle let alone Queen St or Oban. Personally,I always believed the British were a nation that "did the impossible-and more" This trip exemplifies all that is brilliant about living in Britain as a steam enthusiast!!! Really looking forward to the trip even if things dont go exactly to plan. 2 x black fives out of Oban--fantastic. Oh, btw PLEASE PLEASE could mods simply delete anti RTC rants or patronising "history lessons". Lets have fun....!!!

 

Just thinking...scot+8.....would a go at Shap/Beattock record be possible?

 

Why not have another go at wrecking this loco., just repaired from the last problem and we want to thrash it before it is run in.

 

8 on is hardly going to be a challenge for scot after what its been pulling around earlier in year. What will be foolish is putting it on a 4 day trip and having not run it in beforehand, not nursing it around for the amount of miles planned and hoping for the best at paying punters expense.

 

Don't forget the buckets and spades so us poor buggers can run ahead dealing with wet rails and leaves at all points north.

 

I was thinking it might be a pair of Black 5s - 44932 and 45231, perhaps? I guess today's the decision day. Whatever locos will be used tomorrow must have their FTR exams today, so should be in steam already.

Has anyone seen any locos moving around Carnforth yard today?

 

Not so much "buckets and spades"...........more like "hammer and nails" to keep yourself stuck to the ground.......

 

44932 vice 46115 according to the scot-rail group.

 

Now confirmed on uksteam.

 

So the tour is running on different dates, to a different itinerary and with a different locomotive. Not much of RTC's original invitation to treat left here then!

 

Mr Mason - my posts are only anti RTC rants if you choose to read them that way.

Some of the more responsible posters on this forum recognise both the fact that our national network is a place of business, not a glorified theme park for gricers, and that a 75 year old piece of history is not some toy for you to play with and then throw back into the toy box when you have finished with it.

Assets are there to be managed by mature businessmen, not wrecked by little boys!

Don't worry about seeing me on the lineside - I have a good few hundred disappointed clients to deal with as a result of the autumn weather this weekend causing a prudent but unfortunate decision to be required, so a certain little black convertible won't be taking to the roads this time.

 

No surprise surely?