RTC 2014

It would be nice to see 33012 get some work on these trains if that is the plan for the season, as it has worked the diesel leg of the Swanage Belle previously and should do today. Saves dragging a diesel round all day too if its stabled relatively close by. I think your correct too in saying that none of the trains last year were worked by steam both ways.

 

I understand that there is an outside possibility that the diesel leg will be Southampton-Weymouth on the outward leg, with steam throughout on the return from Weymouth.

David

 

In the south, watering facilities for steam hauled railtours are normally supplied by the commercial company Bells & Two Tones <www.bellsandtwotones.co.uk> using former fire service.vehicles. The restrictions on steam tours during the firefighters strike have been imposed by Network Rail due the increased risk of service disruption caused by lineside fires.

 

Just the leg I wanted to do by steam, having done Weymouth-Southampton before (although admittedly Upwey would be a bit on the quiet side if it was the other way round)... However, I have to say I'm jinxed this month (two cancellations and several modifications)!

 

One might argue that one of the reasons lineside fires cause disruption to normal services is because the fire brigafde are sometimes called to small fires and the line then has to be closed while they put the fire out - in this instance there may actually be less disruption if the fire had been allowed to burn itself out (although I do accept that this is not the case in all situations).

 

RTC'S website has had some new tours added, and more still to come through to May 2015 if you use the drop down on the booking page.

 

The Newcastle CME has now been rescheduled for August 23.

With the 2015 tours through may of next year a RYTC 2015 thread shall need to be started I guess.

Also it has been advertised that 46115 shall be going out of St. Pancreas in November. I hope that comes to fruition for all of you.

 

45305 is working the 5 North Wales Coast Expresses according to their website ( although they appear to have go one of the dates wrong).

 

35018 scheduled for GBVIII, so it just goes to show that it was possibly closer to completion than a lot of people thought.

 

Is it about 2 years since it went to Carnforth?

 

Two years is quite a short time in restoration terms, especially if bits had deteriorated at Portland.

 

It is relatively quick for sure.

 

I only hope it does a little bit in the North, climbing a few famous hills and romping around the scenery in the way 35012 'United States Lines' did with the RCTS 'Solway Ranger' in 1964.

 

Sure that's a distinct possibility as there is usually plenty of work for the big stuff in the fells etc. maybe 34016 will help out down south if it joins the CRRES stable.

 

70013 booked for Ebbw Vale/Valleys. Nigel has requested Kinlet Hall as a second loco and awaits clearance!
34067 no longer planned
Book quickly as this combo is bound to be popular!

 

Already booked three tickets- 34067 would have been interesting, but 70013 is a very apt replacement considering the class worked out of Cardiff- anything for steam on these routes! However, does this mean the potential for steam at either end instead of a Class 33, or is 4936 purely a standby?

 

Ray, do you have any news regarding the Dorset Coast Express trips?

Sent from my C1905 using Tapatalk

 

Hi! 4936 would be the second loco and is the scenario Nigel really wants.
However,the trip was advertised as with one diesel(cl33 planned)and this will happen if the Hall cannot work.
It's proving challenging to find work for the Hall on the main line. If only it could run where a 5 runs and there would be a lot more Hall mileage IMO
DCE Sorry,no info as we were mostly discussing overseas trips to Denmark(3 x 440 s on the main line) Greece(!)
Bosnia and Russia and I was curious about Dawlish Warren this Sunday and t he Welsh trip as I booked on it!
At least 34046 is running well and Ollie is back. No hot news tho,sorry!

 

Thanks Ray. Whilst I'm not a GWR fanatic, I'm crossing my fingers that the gauging team will come up trumps on this one, as it would add a further c50 miles of steam haulage. There should be no problem on the stretches to Cardiff Central, as 4936 was in the area in March last year. The only real issue is platform clearances on the branches, particularly the Ebbw Branch, as one assumes that platforms have been comprehensively rebuilt as part of the reinstatement process.

 

Absolutely ! It's a steep climb in a few places to say the least and 2 locos means it's a steam line rather than one with diesel assistance ! Bit hard core but then Welsh Valleys and ESP Ebbw is something to be eagerly anticipated
A few years ago I fully expected total closure of Ebbw, Maesteg and Abercynon by now.....my last trip to Ebbw was on a packed and v happy 150 unit with a v hard working guard-a real pleasure!
If it's a 33 the trip should still be a goodun. I'm still smiling from Seaford/Newhaven/Brighton. A 800xx on the other end would have been even better tho!