Compass Tours

http://www.compasstoursbyrail.co.uk/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=63

A few interesting ones this year. Southport to Holyhead and return, steam throughout, for example.

 

A for photters, steam southbound over the S&C in the morning... http://www.compasstoursbyrail.co.uk...category_id=4&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=63

 

And it's on the same day that 45699 or 46115 works Carnforth-Shap-Carlisle-Ais Gill-Preston. We won't know which way to look!

 

Very interesting yes, steam from Southport is very rare.

 

That's an interesting point as I would have thought 46115 would be a candidate for hauling the Compass Tour given the website states WCR are supplying locomotives for their tours. Of course, this doesn't mean they will necessarily be WCR's own locos.

 

The 3rd April trip to York via Carnforth/Skipton could be interesting. Anyone able to say what the gradients are like along this stretch, as I've never travelled on this line?

 

A little reminder of one of Compass's tours from the summer of 2011 (yes, I really am that far behind with my video editing!)

45305 with The Mersey Moorlander at Ribblehead and Forton, 22nd Aug 2011.

 

Compass now seem to have 'merged' with West Coast. See West Coast site-several tours with steam haulage.

 

http://www.compassrail.co.uk/

 

This was mentioned in an earlier thread. Maybe any new discussion should be added to the existing one?

 

Late reply sorry but after Wennington various parts of the line before Giggleswick summit are 1 in 100 .

 

Have noticed from the West Coast website that they have some new steam charters, that may have slipped under the radar.

Listed under the brand "Compass by West Coast", there are four steam hauled, plus quite a lot of vintage diesel charters. Motive power to be advised - any suggestions at this stage?

25th March - The Pendle Dalesman from Kidderminster to Carlisle, out via the S&C, and return via Shap, with steam on and off at Preston.
28th March - The Salopian Express from Bishop Auckland to Shrewsbury, with steam on and off at Crewe.
1st April - The Pendle Dalesman from Northampton to Carlisle, out via the S&C, and return via Shap, with steam on and off at Preston.
8th April - The Salopian Express from Dumfries to Shrewsbury, with steam on and off at Preston.

There's certainly plenty of choice for travellers and enthusiasts alike in 2015.

 

Crewe - Shrewsbury and back barely seems worth it tbh.

 

Out via Chester though. Been done a couple of times before, and it seemed to be popular.

 

I suppose one of those might get a run out if 48151 isn't available.