Scarborough Flyer 2014

Unfortunately it would take quite a while to say nothing of possession of line, it isn't as simple to do as you are inferring, it would be cheaper and better for customers not to do this at this time IMO.
It did show on previous week of Scarborough trips that a Diesel would be on it. Nothing shown as yet other than times and Loco 46233. Ref: UK Mainline Steam Tours.

 

That will be most helpful information for many, thanks Ralph.

 

I wonder how this gauging revelation if true will effect Bittern on VT's Pennine Streak tour in November?

Neil

 

It may not if 60019 has fewer layers of paint on it than 60009.
Notwork Rail may/could/probably won't (delete as applicable) send a measurement train down between now and then to find if there's still plenty of clearance...

 

Bittern and other loco's have used the line light engine this year to get to Crewe ect, and see that N/R are at their old tricks of stopping steam from using the line by either altering the gauge or lifting track.
Its like the electrification on most lines, they rather tear down bridges, than lower the line for them to pass through.
N/R seem to do as they please at our expense.

 

One can't help but to feel for the TOC's and there tour schedules. Boxes, gauging issues, unfair time schedule with many people not getting home until around midnight w/ really early start in the morning. What does this add up to?

 

If particular steam locos are currently banned from Standedge, simply because clearances haven't been checked for a while, would the same apply to any other loco or rolling stock that doesn't regularly use that line? What about stock that does regularly use the line: how does NR know that clearance isn't down to a millimetre?

 

they will be banning class 185's next

 

Now cancelled according to uksteam & RTC website

 

Any news yet Ralph?

Neil

 

I don't see any evidence of that, there are plenty of places where the track has been lowered or even existing bridge spans jacked up but for obvious reasons that's often not possible especially where loading gauge enhancements to W10/12 are being undertaken at the same time.

Certain clearances for certain types of steam loco must be more marginal than they are for most if not everything else operating on the network these days, and I'd imagine the schedule for updating the measurements is based on keeping day-to-day traffic in gauge than steam locos on railtours.

Chris

 

Visited Swanwick on Wednesday and was nicely surprised to see Duchess of Sutherland parked up there.

Appeared to be couple of bods with tape measures and a ladder on it...presumable to do with gauging problems.

Hopefully see it back out running soon.

 

Latest news - as posted on the Lensmen linesiders forum is that Scots, Duchesses and A4s are all now banned from BOTH the Standedge AND the Calder Valley routes, both presumably due to gauging issues.
Largest loco now permitted is a Jubilee.
On the Standedge line, the problem appears to relate specifically to trackwork on a curve under a bridge in the Mossley area ... which is stated to have "moved".

 

where is this 'Lensmen linesiders forum'
why Calder Valley Route

Has any of this been verified & confirmed by Tour operators and Network Rail?

 

I believe it is a private forum and closed to membership except by invitation.

 

Ah so its another group of I've got info but the great unwashed can't have it

 

You also have to pay, and many people on here expect all information for nothing.
Something which appears to becoming to an end in many areas, even newspapers and magazines now want you to subscribe if you wish to read anything.
These people are out to make a living and while some might post up information copied from these sources, it is in fact illegal and breaking Copyright rules, so please be careful out there.