Scarborough Spa Express 2013

Only 5 days away now from the start of the SSE season, but with the only rainfall between now and then forecast to be a few light showers on Saturday afternoon, presumably the ban on steam between York and Scarborough will still be in force. The circular route from York via Castleford and Wakefield is not, as far as I know, included in the ban, as 46115 is due to cover part of this route on Saturday - but would WCRC think it worth using steam on this section and switching to diesel for the run to Scarborough? I suspect not, especially as passengers just booking from York to Scarborough would not see any benefit. UK Steam Info says "May run diesel hauled" - I guess it's just wait and see, unless anybody has further information.

 

I guess this is the ECS move from Carnforth to York on Monday:
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U53231/2013/07/15/advanced

 

Reported that 45231 and 48151 are to work the ECS to York tomorrow.

 

They'll need a diesel as well, won't they - with or without a steam ban?

 

Most likely so, have heard a 37 may be on the rear of the train tomorrow.

 

The way things are shaping up, I guess it will be steam piloting diesel on the circle and coming off at York, the diesel on its own from York to Scarborough and return, and steam coming back on in front of the diesel for the evening circle.

All speculation of course, in the absence of any official statement from West Coast.

 

Suspect it's the 8F and 45231 so that 45699 & 46115 are at Carnforth for the special Fellsman run in a few weeks.

 

Actually a 47 on the front! Formation is 47, 48151, 45231 and about 15 pristine (newly painted?) coaches, including 2 Pullmans. About an hour late at Long Preston.

 

http://sulzerpower.com/news.html

So 47 hauling the train with big, black, steam loco shaped headboard on the front?

 

Looks very much like it. The only question is whether they keep the headboard on all the way to Scarborough, or take it off at York.

 

As there doesn't seem to be any video of this ECS move so far I thought I'd give it a bash and post a link to my offering.

Once the aroma of diesel fumes had cleared , all I could smell was wet paint.

Graham

 

A very slow perambulation along the Aire valley today, one block behind a stopping service. It was so quiet I didn't hear it coming, wishing for rain (at night time only, mind you).

 

Have heard conflicting reports that it is to be diesel hauled and another saying diesel assisting. Which one is it?

 

45231 being pushed by the 47 tomorrow.

 

Thanks... will wait and see. Im thinking cant be long before theres a blanket ban on steam on the mainline given the weather. SSE wont hold out much hope if 48151 is engine of choice, yes its a nice bit of kit but its also quite prone for pyrotechnics.

Really I'm wanting to see Bittern doing 90, but reckon a 67 will intervene somewhere...

 

Think they are referring to the steam loco as a headboard in this context as opposed to an actual headboard, think if you tried taking an actual headboard off in plat 5 at York, you'd go through the pearly gates clutching it...

 

Report from a mate of mine in York this morning that 45231 is the steam element of this trip today.

 

45231 and the 47 swapped round so 47 now leading. At 1058 as I post still at York.