The Tynesider 26-11-11

Reported elsewhere that all mainline commitments for 60007 for 2011 are now cancelled.

Any idea for a southbound replacement, looked around at whats available, and the answer in not much!!!!

55022 anybody???????

 

I would have thought that Bittern would do the the round trip, unless they CAN find a replacement for SNG!

Like you say there 'aint a lot available.

 

hmmmmm but will steam be allowed???

 

It's on a Saturday, so fingers crossed it should run as planned, unless it gets cancelled at the last minute................

 

Its 248 miles ncle to kx one way, too much for 1 loco i would say.

 

Maybe the could pull the proverbial rabbit out of the hat and get either Lizzie or Riley's international Rescue pair of black five's - or are they banned?

 

To hold a 75mph path down the ecml????

 

Yes I know- just throwing something into the mix!!!!!!!!!!!!

But they have deputised before.

That is why I originally said that Bittern could 'feasibly' do the round trip - stick the second tender on to miss out a water stop and it could be possible,but having said that she needs to be down south before the following Wednesday, otherwise you'd possibly be looking at either of the Brit's or Scots Guardsman - after that I haven't got a clue!!!!!!!!

 

Would Lizzy be available to cover for the SNG trips?

Mike M. (70c )

 

As I have already mooted,It's the only one I can think of apart from Scots Guardsman that wouldn't be too far out of position, for anything else, your looking at very long LE movements.

 

Bitterly dissapointed to see that Sir Nigel Gresley appears to be unable to take part in this years trip. This is one trip I always look forward to, especially as 60007 is a loco admired. Best of luck to those that are working on this fine loco and lets hope that we see a return to the mainline early next year for a full year of fine steaming countrywide.

 

Thinking out loud, and with the need for a 400 mile steam day, why not, diesel from ncle to york, bittern to london from york and return, diesel back to newcastle???

 

That's too sensible!!!!!!!!!! Nobody would EVER think of that - or would they???????????

OR they can do what they usually do....................

Still, it is a very workable solution.

 

Having today spoken with the railway touring company. They confirmed to me that dominion of new Zealand will be going from newcastle to London kx and then back to York with diesel back to newcastle

 

Any triangle they could turn the whole train on?Not paying £xx to sit at the back in both directions .

 

Thats great news!!!!!

 

uk steam info is showing bittern newcastle - kings cross kings cross york - york newcastle diesel hauled but t r t c online is now showing diesel hauled from kings cross to newcastle any one heard of this info ?

 

UK Steam Info also now updated to show diesel back to Newcastle.

RTC excel themselves on this one, i know why Tbirfrank gets so upset over stunts like this.

Firstly we dont get 60007, through no fault of their own, but were going to get 60019 on the return anyway, then it was 60019 ncle- kings x - york, which raised by eyebrows as to mileage in a day, now its 60019, one way.

I booked on the promise of the 60019 round trip back to york.

Am i going to get a refund for losing part of my steam tour, probably not, am i going to book a tour through RTC, probably not, they cannot be trusted..

Its blatant mis-selling, knowing trouble is around the corner..

 

All part of booking on railtours im afraid. It is rare you get what has been advertised. I would give RTC a phone and see about a refund, from past experience they have dealt with these types of matters very well.

 

Have arranged to see relatives in London now etc...

Will be interesting to see how 60019 performs after last year.

Then the diesel pushed us home from Kings X, with little effort from up front, unlike the trip down with 60007.

Have said many times before that a tour like this is once a year thing with a destination like London.

The number of disapointed passengers would jeopordise a repeat next year.