Winter Cumbrian Mountain Expresses 2014

So, in trying to get this thread back on-track, could I inquire anyone knows what loco is likely to be in the frame this coming weekend?

 

WCRC 47 ?

 

Oh please not,the main reason why I booked on this one was because I thought it was virtually guaranteed to have no "assistance"!

 

As I'm booked on it and don't do diesel replacement or diesel assisted trains and asked them exactly what the situation is. They replied that 46115 has been 'repaired' and will haul the train unassisted. Can anyone from WCRC, like James Shuttleworth perhaps confirm this?

 

How ?, even the best suppliers have variable quality occasionally, can you physically check every lump and afford to chuck the rubbish in the bin ?, and that's before reasonably trusted UK suppliers like Daw Mill went tits up.

Hard to say what's going on with WCRC's core loco's without knowing what goes on at Carnforth, but it's fair to say it's performance hasn't been brilliant recently.

 

You'll be lucky!

 

I don't pretend to know how, that's not for me to say, but given the disruption the problem has caused over the years I would have thought in the interests of everyone it's an issue that needs some kind of mechanism that prevents tours going ahead with steam or the steam section curtailed where the coal quality falls below an agreed standard ?

 

Don't get me wrong, it would be nice if it could, I just don't see how.

 

Problem is that there is no 'group buying' organisation for coal for UK steam operators, so each individual operator is a pretty small fish for the suppliers, and coal analysis costs money. If there were a UK steam coal buyer, then they could buy in bulk, lay down standards, and assay the coal for a large single purchase. It might also drive the price/tonne down as well. But that's unlikely to happen.

 

Yes, I got the spirit of your post, but like you I too am at a loss to know how. Just know it's a problem we've been experiencing for years that seemingly can't be solved.

 

A Jubilee would not have been expected to work as hard from Carnforth to Shap summit in BR days as is now demanded of the Winter CME.

The Winter CME is allowed 40.5 minutes from starting in Carnforth loop (1122) to passing Shap summit (1202.5), irrespective of load or loco.

The LMR loadings for Jubilees varied with their timings.

A 5XP was allowed 42 minutes from passing Carnforth to the summit with a Limited Load train of 11 coaches, 365 tons. It was allowed 49 minutes at Full Load, 12 coaches, 415 tons.

Andrew N

 

46115 planned on test tomorrow and, assuming all ok, on the CME, on Saturday; 45699 to work the Salop.

And you didn't even have to say "please".

JS

 

Why bother.. let the Class 86 do the full journey..

 

To be honest I was thinking more of the S&C bit with the 47 tacked on the back ready to take over at Carlisle. As things stand there's another storm coming Friday / Saturday so may end up being caped anyway

 

And a 'thank you' from me too.

Also, now that B.D. has turned 65 be gentle with him.........