Railway Touring Company

Depends how bad the problem with 70013 is I guess. 70013 is also down for the return run for The Royal Wessex from Three Bridges to Weymouth on June 30th with 34067 doing the outward leg.

If 70013 isn't fit will she be replaced by another loco or will 34067 haul both legs on the trips on the 21st and 30th though.

 

I believe The duke is only certified for DBS, something to do with the boiler work that was done not long ago that West coast didn't like or something (Correct me if I'm wrong)
The brit could always be an option but it's down for the TBEL aswell so that'd be another swap between two Sheds. I'd guess that some of Carnforths lot will come and help, probably 48151 and maybe 44932
Matt

 

wasnt that prob with Tornado

 

Yeah I think it was Tornado. Not sure if there is something similar with the Duke unless she has something similar to 35028 where she is mainly used by DBS but can be used by WCRC crews should the need arise.

 

71000 has welded boiler tubes, not seamless. Tornado had a cylinder rebore using a contractor that WCR didn't want them to use. This is why WCRC won't operate either of them.

 

Much as I like 70013, I will not be complaining too much if it is any of the above - all still required for haulage [/desperate NED mode off] !

PS: would have thought the 8F unlikely, too slow.

 

Looking at UK Steam I think your right. A LE movement was originally listed for 70013 on Monday from Acton Lane to Southall is now listed as 44932 although there's no movement from Carnforth to Acton Lane though for 44932.

Edit: Uk Steam have 44932 listed as being at Southall as of June 12th which doesn't explain the Acton Lane movement on Monday.

 

Same reason it's listed to do Southall to Acton Lane for today. Just gets it closer to Liverpool street ready for tomorrow and back on Monday.

Jamie

 

Probably due to engineering works preventing access between Southall and Willesden on Sunday ?

 

Thats right. The ECS from Liverpool St to Southall cannot get back on Sunday night due to possessions on the Poplars, and the GWML. It is recessed at Acton Lane overnight. (Same happened on the outward). The ECS goes round to Southall on Monday. Unfortunately, as you are probably aware, this job is Diesel hauled due to the failure of 4932 on Saturday afternoon. This issue should be resolved this week, leaving 4932 fit for service again. It was impossible to attend to the problem with the loco in steam yesterday.

 

Are they suitable for this tour. The 8F, as previously acknowledged has a limit on speed that would potentially cause pathing problems. Is the 5 suitable for the load planned for Nunney Castle or Braunton?

 

At this moment the plan is 70013 out, and 34067 return. This looks to be reasonable achievable, assuming nothing untoward is found with the locos before Wednesday (34067) & Thursday (70013). Murphy's law permitting !!!

 

Received letter advising the tour we had booked on, Cumbrian Mountain Express on the 28th August has been cancelled. Also offering discounts on North Wales Coast Express end of July.

 

There was no CME planned for 28th August ? Do you mean 28 July or perhaps 18 or 25 August ?

 

Sorry, my mistake. I meant 25th August. 18th August stil on, as we have now switched to that train. No reason given for cancellation in letter. Guessing maybe lack of bookings, but could be wrong.

 

Almost certainly lack of bookings I'd say. My view on this is that they quite deliberately advertise a number of dates in full expectation they will only run a proportion. They've probably worked out they can fill some dates more easily that way by transferring bookings from a larger range of dates previously offered.

 

I must say that you have caught on to the ways of the RTC much better than many others on here!

 

Possibly yes, though I'm sure there are many others thinking the same. Either that or they have too much time or cash to care when they're taken for a ride, (and not usually the ride they paid for either).

 

A quick check on UK Steam shows the last 3 years the Cumbrian Mountain Expresses( July - August) have run as planned. It has been the North Wales Coast Expresses( which started from Liverpool) where some have been cancelled.The trip on 25th August and the other with a reduced price both start from Liverpool.Compass started running their Mersey Moorlanders last year and I expect there are now too many trip over Shap and the S&C.