The Cristmas White Rose (ECML) 17/12/2011

Have just been informed by a member of 4492's support crew that the A4 will not be working this tour and 70013 is substituted.

 

Seems like she has been put on the naughty step......

 

But the A4 is working the Norwich - York - Norwich tour on the 15th as booked so she must be fit.

 

Must be short term detention instead!!!!!

 

5043 running to York as usual again so probably there'll be an interesting few minutes at Colton Jn.

 

Re: The Christmas White Rose (ECML) 17/12/2011

UK Railtours website now has 70013 Northbound and 60019 Southbound - strange

John

 

Re: The Christmas White Rose (ECML) 17/12/2011

Strange indeed as the A4 is booked an Ely - Southall move on Friday. No doubt all will be revealed in due course.

 

Re: The Christmas White Rose (ECML) 17/12/2011

There is now video on Youtube of 60019 on its E+C move from Southall to Norwich, so it looks like it will be working the Northbound tomorrow.

John

 

Re: The Christmas White Rose (ECML) 17/12/2011

The bit about 70013 refers to 4492's booked working on the 17th, not the Norwich - York tour of the 15th.

 

Perhaps it's just that RTC have made a bit of a hash of rewriting the blurb about the tour on their website. The tour's changed so many times I'm not surprised something's gone awry.

 

In that YouTube video of the E+C move to Norwich 4492 has only one tender and support coach yet the northbound timings for today's York Yuletide Express do not appear to show any water stop - interesting!

 

A report yesterday said the stock would be t&t 47s with 4492 on front of it all and a progress report this morning gave it as a steam/diesel double header with the diesel shoving. Either way I'm glad I've not booked on this one.

 

Thats a great way to turn people away from a "steam" trip of the ECML.
Its hard enough getting something to run without a shambles like this.
Like having a fairy on the tree, all for show, and no go.

Smacks of desperation by me from the operators, probably a full train, and wanting the pay day....

 

I've spoken to a friend of mine at Southall who tells me the second tender is fit and available for use. If that's the case, why not use it? All very mystifying. I wonder if anyone from WCRC or RTC can give a definitive answer as to why today's tour is running in this fashion.

 

Ha, Ha, Ha Ha, Ha, Ha! A straight answer? You have got more chance of getting the Euromillions jackpot.
Isn't there an official body who can look into the running of steam tours under the trades description act or something? Something needs to be done. My money is staying firmly in my pocket.

 

I seem to remember that many years ago, pubs (or more correctly the breweries) were banned from selling fizz beer from handpumps which acted as no more than a switch/valve to dispense the stuff. This diesels problem seems to be veering into similar territory to me. I won't be booking on any of the trips which appear to me to be more obviously aimed at Joe Public as there seems to be a trend for the sream loco to be there for appearance sake only. Of course these sort of outings are more prevalent this time of year. Does there appear to be any difference in policy between WCRC and DBS?

 

Here we go again...............................

 

5305LA website update says 70013 will run the northbound leg with 4492 on the return. 5305 Locomotive Association | Homepage

 

Conflicts with what my support crew mate has said. I'll ask him if there's been a late change of plan.

 

This is the latest on UK Steam

THE CHRISTMAS WHITE ROSE - (15/12)
London Kings Cross-York (WCRC) [wcr
70013: Kings Cross-York
60019: York-Kings Cross
[60019 running as 4492]