D1015 'Western Champion'

D1015 has transferred this afternoon from Wellingborough to Derby Etches Park. <BJ>

 

7 rail tour dates for 2014 have been announced on the website: http://www.westernchampion.co.uk/loco-d1015.php

 

Travelling on 13:28 Nottingham - St P HST yesterday, it is something of a blast from the past. Just outside Leicester was 2 x 20s + 2 x 20s on a LU stock move, then D1015 sitting in the sidings at Wellingborough - oddly another LU link to this one too.

David

 

Here's what we were waiting for: http://daviddepperphotography.zenfolio.com/p1056064740#h13d1e581

 

Is the 52 on a regular turn or being used "as required?"

 

Unsure myself but more likely to appear on these workings than others, though it's off to Etches Park tomorrow.

 

D1015 passed Barrow on Soar northbound at 14:06 today (Thursday 14th)

 

Anyone know why D1015 is not involved in any main line tours? Last one was 13th December 2014, after which it needed some repairs. It recently ran on the main line to a SVR gala so presumably it is now fully serviceable.

 

Underwent repairs and now the TOC that operated most tours with it cannot supply drivers for tours this year, I believe.

 

Thanks for that D7076. Here's hoping it will be possible to see and travel behind D1015 on the main line soon.

 

Good news - D1015 is back!
http://www.pathfindertours.co.uk/index.php/tour-calendar-reader/events/the-western-challenger.html
http://www.pathfindertours.co.uk/index.php/tour-calendar-reader/events/the-maybach-yorky.html

 

Very good, I'm half tempted but depends on finances.
D1015 is expected to be operating on SVR services in May/June and August/September with a Western Weekend with D1062 planned for the August bank holiday weekend
http://www.svr.co.uk/pdf/Timetables/Diesel locomotive operating dates 2016.pdf

 

So glad to hear this news...2015 was very quiet without the mighty Champion... maybe 2016 will be good after all! Beautiful machine...

 

Western Champion is also due to work a tour to Kingswear from Tyseley on 4th June according to email from Vintage Trains.

 

Great news

 

Some negative comments on Pathfinders Facebook page regarding the recent trip with Mk2 AC stock:
"I booked with my kids on the trip because I wanted them to experience a "Western" on the main line - a sight and sound that is unique. But that wasn't possible....With the droplight windows closed and "no standing in the vestibules" rule you could not hear or see the loco on the front."

On a slightly more positive note Pathfinders state that the Western Challenger on 7th May will be running with Mk1 coaches, although I assume the "no standing in the vestibule" rule will still apply.

 

Yet if you take the Penzance HST chasing it's tail 10 or so minutes behind it.. you can stand in the vestibule and hang by the window at 125mph for as long as you like.

why don't they just put bars back over the windows again and be done with this nonsense.

 

Oh dear. I didn't realise that Pathfinders had gone that route. Will think twice now about booking a Torbay Express.

 

The WCRC situation does not help but Pathfinders had problems with flailing and bellowing last year on a DRS class 37 tour. The recent tours with D1015 and 55009 were DBC so I would expect the Torbay Express to have similar rules in place unfortunately.

 

Pathfinder has said the rules are TOC imposed. Will be saving my money. I don't want to flail, I don't want to bellow but I do want to be able to poke a mic out to record the sound. If I can't do that, I'll pursue one of my other interests.