Steam Dreams 2015

I see SD are running a Norwich-Windsor trip on the 11th February with 61306 in charge from Norwich to 'Central London' on the return.

James

 

That would be the positioning run to bring her South mentioned in the RM a couple of issues ago.
She must be having another ML test run too as it's been a while since the last one.

 

Steam Dream website has been updated with trips to next October and include

A couple of trips with 6201 next September

8/10 Cranmore - Bluebell Railway
24/10 Liverpool Street - Norwich - no loco listed but hopefully it will be Mayflower.

 

I'm tempted by 61306 to Cardiff on March 1st but I'm wondering what are the chances of a box free trip. A B1 on Sapperton would be nice if it's allowed to do it on its own.

 

Cardiff and Gloucester ares not that popular as destinations, so there is a good chance the load will be lighter than some trips.Better change of unassited than the daytime trip on the 14th.

 

According to the latest Heritage Railway David Buck the owner of Mayflower was agreed ( with regard Bluebell Railway to Ely trip) to his engine returning to the Bluebell Railway instead of coming off the train in the London area.

Marcus Robertson is quoted " Mayflower will become the mainstay of Cathedrals Express excursions up to the summer months when ...... 70013 and ...... 60007 will enter the frame".

 

Steam Dreams website has been updated and Mayflower is now allocated to 12 of the 13 trips between 11/2 and 28/4.

Britannia is down to haul the 2 trips on the 10/5 Waterloo to Southampton Docks, and Southampton Central to Bristol.

 

That is quite a bit. The word careful come to mind.

 

Its a wee bit optimistic, lot of tours in a short period of time for a relatively untested loco - on the main line, long distances, high speed. I shall be delighted of course if its all painless and goes to plan but I suspect......

 

Early going in 2015 is going to present many challenges for the tour companies and steam operators.

 

And don't forget Al, at least until the last few months, the loco hasn't run anywhere with any great regularity - and I get the impression it only ran for a short period on the North Norfolk after moving there - a matter of a few weeks if that.

That said, a number of mainline locos do come straight out of overhaul into mainline traffic with only running up and down yards as running in before mainline test runs.

Steven

 

I do find it quite fascinating to look at the SD website and notice that so far, there's not a single Southern loco rostered for 2015. Given SD's Southern roots, it's a rather surprising statistic. Of course, not all the trips have been allocated a loco yet and one would expect that when 35018 British India Line is ready that SD will want to make use of it.

 

Does anyone know what the Situation with Mayflower in regards to being ready for February 11th?

 

Booked on the Valentine's lunchtime circular today using the very big discount offered to SD members. Fingers crossed 61306 appears on this trip. Anyone know if she will be ready in time?

 

According to the latest Steam Railway Marcus states if 35018 is ready it will haul this trip , otherwise it will be Braunton.

 

Which trip are you referring to? July 9th?

 

Yes. Sorry missed the date. Was going to respond to a post about it on the RTC thread but though it was better to post here.

 

I see SD have got a quarter page advert in todays Surrey Advertiser promoting the 14 Feb circular trip with 61306 highlighting the Woking pickup/setdown . Find it hard to believe that they are charging full fare £85 standard,£139 first,£179 dining for just a 4 hour trip,surely comes across as a complete rip off?