RTC 2025

It's because the cylinder and valve lubrication requires a supply of steam to atomise the lubricating oil (and on some locos may also require a supply of steam to run the lubricator itself). If you ever need to move a locomotive not in steam (apart from small distances at low speed) it is conventional to remove the connecting rods and valve drive rods and thus immobilise the pistons and valves.

Tom

 

Tomorrows CME has been confirmed to have 37706 & 37516 on the steam sections in leu of 34067

 

I'm getting really worried that the 200th anniversary of Railways could be diesel hauled, something I raised many months ago. I dearly hope they've got this covered.

 

Anyone know what's happened to 34067, wonder if this is just a temporary fault with the loco. Hasn't it only just come back recently from months out of action?

 

Are either of Riley’s Black 5’s available or are 2 still needed in Scotland yet?

This situation with WCRC has been coming to a boiling point for some time now

 

The afternoon service finishes next Friday so i would of thought 1 might return south then. But in a ideal world i think they'd like to keep both up there so there would always be a spare loco.

 

One returned south last year

 

Yes wasnt it a quick overnight dash after the last afternoon service for a tour the next day?

 

I assume the same thing is planned for this year, a Five is desperately needed down in York for this trip, would be a really shame all around if the trip went Diesel Hauled.

 

Aren't diesels part of the 200th anniversary of the railways then?

 

Isn't that what Kettles do ...... literally boil water

 

Absolutely, and they are booked for part of the journey but I paid £450 for what was advertised to be steam. The Vintage Trains trip to Plymouth a fortnight ago had double headed steam on the appropriate section and double headed Type 3s on the diesel section. For my enjoyment that's the way to run a trip.

 

Very true and there have been plenty of brilliant Diesel hauled railtours this year for Railway 200, but it's understandable for those on the train to be disappointed if they get a Diesel when it was advertised to be Steam hauled for most of the trip.

 

On the Northern Belle thread

LSL do seem to have considerably more in-ticket steam locos (not all of the same ownership, but all in their stable) than they need for all their Saphos and Steam Dreams trips. Whether they have enough personnel to operate any more trips is unclear, but if they did wish to run more what would they gain from using RTC as the promoter rather than their own Saphos and Steam Dreams brands? Is there anything that RTC could offer to tempt them?

 

I would say here that I have always found RTC to be both friendly and customer-focused. I sensed a resignation of events and that they wanted to ensure everyone had a good day despite no steam as the tour had offered. When asked by someone (not me) what had happened this time to Tangmere, a shrug and a "who knows" was what was offered on the basis that they seemingly aren't informed of such matters other than a failed FTR - which can happen to any locomotive on the day before a rail-tour. I could share the speculation that was circulating yesterday but it's probably not fair of me to do so.

 

I've just had my e-tickets through for 27th September and RTC are quoting the loco as 44871. Does anyone know where this loco currently is? The email also says steam from York to Stanhope but questionably from Stanhope to York whereas RTT seems to indicate DL from Stanhope to Darlington for a reversal before heading to Newcastle.

 

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:14588/2025-09-22/detailed

Arrochar and Tarbet possibly.

 

Did anybody know why it's planned with just 20mph?

 

Now confirmed that the Royal Duchy on the 28th will be diesel hauled with 2 x Class 33's. Disappointing and can't help thinking this was sufficiently predictable for the tour to have been cancelled with refunds rather than invoking the 'outside our control' T&C, given there is nearly a week to go.
It should be noted that Northern Belle, another WCR satellite, offer £30 pp 'credit' for diesel substitutions, although they seem to have had even more than RTC this year.