Saphos Trains

Sorry to hear that. My guess is that it may be due to three other railtours heading for Carlisle that day (Northern Belle, Cumbrian Coast Express and Cumbrian Mountaineer), but I'm only surmising.

 

How exactly when it was only there as a figurehead in light steam, the 47s were doing the work.

 

Any update on lsl's plans for Upperby depot. Looking across from the field opposite. The site has been cleaned up and had some track laid.

 

The Severn Tunnel is closed on 14th June, so the WME scheduled for that day has been re-scheduled to 11th October instead.

 

3 June English Riviera Express times (? 60007) up on RTT :
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U66014/2023-06-03/detailed

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U66017/2023-06-03/detailed

 

"Pathed as Diesel locomotive, trailing load 420 tonnes at 075mph from (Taunton)". Not the usual 715 tonnes.

 

All railtours involving 60007 will involve a rear gunner, it was spelt out to members a while ago in a communication.

 

Sadly true. Never thought an A4 would be reduced to a semi Show Pony.

 

It could be a lot worse… fancy a trip behind 4464, or 60009 at the moment?

 

We'd love a trip behind No7 as it was the second mainliner we rode behind when we started playing with mainline steam in August 1984. Done over 4,000 miles behind him since then. But no more under those arrangements so little difference for us.

 

Did all three in one weekend once! Sadly, I won't either be travelling behind no 7 anytime soon, not because of diesels, but due to Saphos catering for a different market these days that's beyond my means..

 

To be fair it was pointed out that input from it, would be minimal, and only if really required.
Of the clips i have seen online to date, not seen any pushing.....

 

Aren't most railtours pathed for a notional 715 tonnes to take account of steam's slower acceleration, whether or not there will be a diesel on the back?

 

Freight trains often have exactly the same figure. An example of a train yesterday:

Realtime Trains | 6M40 1142 Westbury Down T.C. to Cliffe Hill Stud Farm Gbrf | 25/05/2023

 

Despite a few early runs without a diesel, this now seems to be LSL's chosen method of operation. In fairness to the footplate staff (as witnessed from the lineside in the NW) where circumstances allow the steam loco will haul the full load of the train (including the 47). I know that this can never satisfy those amongst us who require "pure steam" but the prospect of No7 climbing Shap (or Wilpshire) with 12 and a 47 in tow (15+ coaches) is a mouth-watering prospect.

 

Hi David. My take on it is that in their first year which I think was 2018, LSL ran with a diesel on the back, but sometimes not doing very much. Then in 2019, they had a golden year when the prices were still reasonable and they were generally operating without a diesel ( eg 70000 Crewe to Carlisle and 45231 Carlisle round the coast on the Lakelander). That was the year of the Brit's near record run over Ais Gill. That all seemed to work very successfully until the unfortunate incident on Bearsted Bank caused by a combination of overloading, a TSR and December weather--- ultimately a misjudgement. Again unfortunately, the conclusion seemed to be that a diesel on the back would be policy henceforth, so here we are.

 

Whilst being a mouth watering prospect, i doubt the A4LPS would allow it, as they have again confirmed they wont "thrash" the loco, it will do what is in its envelope of comfortable performance, not opening it up for delay minutes etc...

 

60007 Sir Nigel Gresley on the English Riviera Express at Bradford on Tone. Crawling up to a red signal, held for a couple of minutes before getting a green.

 

60007 seen approaching Beam Bridge. https://www.flickr.com/photos/79185888@N04/52948067925/in/dateposted-public/