NORTH WALES COAST EXPRESS 2012

Hate to deflect people back to the tour itself, but is anyone actually interested in the condition of 60009 ? This seems to have been completely forgotten among all the slings and arrows that are flying around ?

 

Sometimes I am convinced that people read what they want to read when they see my name, instead of what I wrote. Still its people like them that look fools in the end.

ECO and NU - Thanks for being able to sort out what I did say!

 

Well it's definitely Frank for our next Prime Minister. Somebody who tells it like it is would be a refreshing change !
We are booked on the N.W.C.E. on 19th August, my first steam run down the coast since 1966, so I hope that the loco situation is sorted.

Bob.

 

Read elsewhere that it was a blown gasket that couldn't be fixed with the loco in steam. Also seen mention of the blower somewhere as well.

 

Thanks very much both, and yes let's hope this wasn't due to undue pressure being exerted !

 

Think that's a bit harsh Big Al, after seeing the reports of how much the overhaul cost then a few more days wouldn't have mattered. If the engineers weren't happy, I'm sure the loco would never have run!

Air pumps or blower issues or whatever the problem was, can crop up at anytime.

 

Me too, as we all know that John Cameron agonised to a degree over his decision to go for another main line ticket when the decision had to be made.

It would be a real shame if this incident changed his mind. I guess though now he has the piece of paper it would be unlikely he'd pull his machine out of the pool ! Hope so anyway !

 

I've yet to meet an engineer who would let his steed out before he was 100% satisfied it was ready and to suggest otherwise does them all a disservice.

 

Not on the main line, certainly. Too much at stake. Well said

Mark

 

Well that's reassuring, hope you're 100% correct about it !

 

Thank you for some clarification - it must be one of the three (occupation) bridges between Frodsham and Helsby then if that is the case? In the circumstances NR must take responsibility for not giving clear guidelines to either NR employee's or sub-contractors that the gauge must remain within the existing specification prior to any work actioned. NR killing off mainline steam by stealth and not for the first time?

 

I wonder if Network Rail have considered making that document available as a cure for insomnia ?

It would be useful "Big Al" if you could provide some points of reference for those of us that are not Engineers so we can understand the significance of it more quickly and hopefully accurately ?

Many thanks

 

Not sure whether this is applicable in this thread or whether it has been mentioned elsewhere but I have just come back from Grange-over-Sands and noticed a new walk bridge put up over the railway just beyond the station with a CLEARANCE WARNING attached. I hope this is not yet another barrier to running steam round the cumbrian coast, bearing in mind there is already a problem at Sellafield.

 

Insomnia......just what I'm looking for.......