'Torbay Express' 2013

That wasn't a problem with the vacuum brakes, that was faults on the 47s (contaminated fuel on one, electrical problem IIRC on the other). The problem was the one vacuum brake Mk 2 in the train. If the train had been air braked, it could've been shifted a lot sooner with the nearest available loco.

Wasn't there a problem with 6024 at Exeter a few years ago, where the nearest VB loco was Eastleigh? I think that's going to be the biggest problem with running vacuum stock on the mainline, where's the nearest rescue loco if something goes wrong. If the loco is through piped on dual braked stock, it won't be too much of a problem. But, for example, a Vintage Trains tour fails (first time for everything!), due to the vacuum-only fitted Mk 2s, it'll have to be a vacuum braked rescue loco. That could easily be a couple of hundred miles and several hours away.

 

True enough, but the point was that it was the vac that was causing the problem because it was there - as you say, full air & the delay would have been reduced. It's just another thing to be used against the vac system, rightly or wrongly.

Mark

 

Yes. I said monarchy as in King, as opposed to Royalty, which indeed 6233 is.

 

To be pedantic, that was a problem with the class 47 rather than the braking system.

 

Yes, but... as I said upthread, it was because vac braking was in use that the problem was made worse - and, rightly or wrongly, it may well be used as <evidence> in the argument against the system being kept in service on its own (ie vehicles not 'dual braked') on the main line, by certain parties with an 'agenda'.

Mark

 

Exactly right, those "parties with an agenda" would argue that the problem traced back to the vac braking being a single point of failure, making it vulnerable, and not worth the risk.

 

According to the brochure the locos are expected to be 5029, 4464, 70000 and 34046.

I have been told in good faith that 5029 is likely to haul some of the trains this year, possibly the earlier ones that will have load 10. (max was 10 up Torre for Castles in the days of steam)

 

Fingers crossed it comes off this time in that case.

 

On the Torbay Express website it lists the locomotives as:
5029 Nunney Castle
4464 Bittern
70000 Britannia
34046 Braunton

It's a good mix of GWR/LNER/BR loco's.

 

And Southern! Or do you count the rebuilt Bulleid as a BR loco? Here's hoping Nunney and Braunton are soon ready for the road. Braunton, in particular, has had a number of false starts, and now she's waiting for radio gear to be fitted. All four locos are from Jeremy's stable, I notice.

 

Sorry I forgot that is was a Southern Engine. But still it is a great line up of engines from many different regions.

 

Havethe Bath Spa expresses been scrapped? There's no mention of them on the tours section of the TBEL website, although the home page still talks of the "Torbay and Bath Spa expresses"?

After last year's problems, I wouldn't blame the operators for giving up, but they did seem to be booking well.

 

I think TBEL are cautious about itineries away from the Torbay, can't really blame then after Past Time's demise.

 

Maybe they need a year of consolidation after last year's disappointments - concentrate on what they know works while they replenish their reserves.

 

Isn't the DB air only thing because they don't have any vac diesels that could rescue a vac train?

 

It's also their driver training and safety case - it's not in the DBS "book". Mind you, it's not a complete ban. They do, occasionally, work vac-only trains, such as 61994 from Inverness to Kyle last May, and the same loco over the Central Wales in May this year.

 

I didn't think DRS maintained Vac Brakes on any of their fleet ?, certainly DRS don't use it, if the DRS loco was a 37 (I'm unsure personally), that could be down to that being more route friendly to Kyle than a 66 or 67.

Correct me if if wrong, but I understood it as DBS would consider vac braked locos if the train was dual braked and the loco was through piped meaning an air braked loco could rescue it ?, trouble is not many charter rakes are 100% dual braked Mk1's.

 

Nunney hauling the TE on 7th, 14th and 21st July according to their website today: http://www.5029nunneycastle.co.uk/

 

She was in steam at TYS today, I wondered why, but stupidly didn't ask the crew.