Royal Duchy series 2014

Well with what is scheduled for this coming Sunday, the motive power situation again looks like a question mark at the moment. 70013, 44932 both have assignments on Saturday with 34067/70013 proposed to power this week. Will Tangmere be ready? Or what will be sent to give these passengers the steam traction they paid for?

35028 also has a cross out because of obvious duties and 60163 isn't allowed to do rytc tours. I think that leaves Braunton/something else

 

For we paying passengers it's getting rather concerning. The Icons website has nothing and I think if they'd been approached for Braunton it would be there by now. Anyone got a main line certified loco to spare???? There's nothing on Realtime yet either. Anyone from RTC willing to tell us what's going on?

 

Crazy as it is I can only see a Jubilee or Scot? 60009 being at a gala. Nothing else is left unless Tangmere is ready. Right now I'm considering her to be the weak link at Carnforth until I get proven wrong.

 

Didn't I read they both had issues after their visits to Norfolk? The Jubilee would be too load restricted for Dainton and Hemerdon in particular. Normal load is 8+
POB. I doubt they'd risk more than 6+POB unassisted with the Jubilee. The Scot would be fun but has it got clearance and the right kit for the south? Pity 60007 went home to the Moors. Would gave been ideal and popular.

 

I'm sure I saw 5029 at Barton Hill on Friday. It was definitely a Brunswick Green machine with a copper chimney so maybe.

 

If you go by Ian Riley's cryptic comment on The Works, then it looks like a monstrous light engine move for 45407 this weekend!!!

 

And you know Sir Nigel hasn't been doing so good either. I don't think she was out this weekend as had been hoped for. I was appalled at how hard she was being worked on the Dartmouth Express last April.

 

oh thank god!

 

5029 is definitely at Barton hill but we aren't working the train braunton doesn't move there until the end of the month

 

Forgive me, I just reviewed some people's account SNG put on a good performance and I am wrong.

 

45407/TBA mentioned by 'uksteam'. <BJ>

 

Could either 45699 Galatea or 46115 Scots Guardsman be used on the train or are the banned in Cornwall

 

45407 this Sunday
44932 next Sunday

 

And a diesel? Or not.

 

A diesel has not normally been part of the plan. It's v dry today but rain is forecast by the weekend
ND dislikes a diesel on the back as is well known and it's not needed to shunt,pilot etc
If WCRC perceive the need for particular reasons ie fire risk then the situation changes
The R Duchy was planned as steam only..........fingers crossed,eh!

 

Thanks, Ray. Very hot and dry in plymouth again today. So yes, fingers crossed and hope for a little
rain.

 

Generally,Mr Smith likes to keep these locos near Carnforth if at all possible.....
I suggested today to Mr Dobbing that 45699 would be a popular loco for the Pars' but Bristol is a long way from Carnforth and he thought it unlikely. 44932 should make a good noise on the banks-I hope you can either ride or see it en route!

 

In any case a long LE move for 45407 from FW and back in a matter of three days

 

The 5s are good locos and no doubt will cope OK on the banks but I wont book as I prefer the 75 mph engines for the race over the Somerset levels so will hope that at least one is available for September.

Don