The Welsh Mountaineer

I'm on this tomorrow..........dreading the thought of diesel assistance.

 

There is no need whatsoever for a diesel on this train tomorrow. It has teemed down for three days over all over North Wales and the North West and indeed there are reports today of floods in places The ground is absolutely sodden.

 

Can anyone confirm the locomotive choice for this?

Thanks in advance.

 

can anyone confirm the traction please? Steam or diesel, front or back!!!!!

 

Could get complicated if there is a diesel in the formation - remember to normal situation for this train is boiler first to Chester - (turn loco on triangle) - temder first to Llandudno Junction - (run round) - boiler first to Blaenau - (run round) - tender first to Llandudno Jn - (run round) - boiler first back to Preston. If there's a diesel do they start with it on one end and leave it there, do they run both locos round (in which case does the diesel lead part of the way), do they operate in top-and-tail formation?

 

According to RTC the steam loco is 61994 "The Great Marquess"

 

I believe they may be plannng an APT esque situation with a class 37 acting as the power situated in the middle of the train.

 

Out following this tomorrow from Llandudno Jnc onwards, weather is looking surprisingly good aswell!

 

What do you mean by "good"? Lots of sunshine sithat you get nice photos of the "assisting" diesel? Or pouring with rain so that there's a chance of the passengers getting the steam-hauled train they paid for?

 

Any info on which platform at Preston is to be used please?

 

Platform 5 according to RTT. http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50546/2013/07/30/advanced

 

61994 with a class 37 tucked inside at Preston this AM.

 

Right time away from Preston, 37 behind loco.

 

Currently 56" late at Frodsham.

 

It's the most likely explanation.

 

They've made up quite a lot of time. Dep Chester 1007 just 36 late and probably won't need pathing stop at Rhyl now. Does anyone know if they swapped 61994 to the rear at Chester? If so, they should be OK to leave Llandudno Jn OT and make the cross at Llanrwst...

 

Update from a mate at the lineside: running behind a stopper, hence now 48L, and 61994 leading from Chester, so run-round required at Llandudno Jn. Looks like they'll be quite late heading up the valley.

 

The Marquess and her snub nosed pal at Preston Brook and Dunham-on-the-Hill on the outward journey. Had she been on time the area was bathed in sunshine which made even Fiddlers Ferry power station look good.

 

It looks like the powers that be are taking no notice of what the conditions are like and have a set period for diesel assistance no matter what. How long that is of course nobody knows.