CME 2023

I do apologise if I came across as aggressive, I really don’t mean to be, but there’s obviously a good reason why West Coast decided to deploy a spoon on the back.
Disappointing as it may be, I do wonder how Mr Shireman would feel if he missed his connection at Crewe to get home?

 

It seems that something on the coach connection fouled the air pipe and dislodged it. Quite a sharp junction at that point south of Stafford.

 

I was puzzled at R&W station yesterday evening as, even with the worst of railhead conditions, I would have expected Mick Kelly (thanks Shep) to have been coaxing something from SG, but nothing - the sanders weren't even on. @leander's post (thanks) about the watering issue provides the answer.

I stuck my video from yesterday evening in the editing software and turned most things up to 11 and now at least you can see it - just (but perhaps you'd rather not).

 

Oddly there only seems to be a return path for the 11th for the CME . https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U54579/2023-02-11/detailed

 

This seems to be becoming a regular thing with RTT as of recent. On many other charters, only one leg of the trip has been shown, despite showing everything else such as turning moves, ECS moves etc, including this CME, RTC's upcoming Bath & Gloucester trip on the 4th, Cotswold Venturer on 18th (though both legs are now shown as of writing this but weren't to begin with) and No.7's SD run to York last December to name a few.

Normally delays of RTT showing timings means they are not in the system yet, but is that really something that would happen regularly, and if so why always with one leg of the main charter instead of one of the ECS moves?

 

Especially with the Lakelander going via Shap too, block to block steam up Shap?... Realtime Trains | 1Z20 0550 Rugby to Carlisle | 11/02/2023

 

What a marathon that is. It will be dark from Sellafield onwards on the way back.

It will certainly be busy at Carlisle between 1230 and 1300 that day.

 

Which could require another box on the back for the WCME !

 

You missed the obvious one, many on here seem to think that WCR spend the money on having a diesel ticking over on the back (plus I assume the salary of a member of staff sat in it) just to let those poor bored Class 47's at Carnforth have a jolly old day out.

 

Or just top and tailed Class 47s.

 

Love to see that posted as a suggestion on wnxx and witness the "it should be a 40 & a 50 or 2 x 50's", which someone will say are under overhaul so will not be available. Actually anything apart from a 37 or 47 it seems appeals to most diesel fans I have gleaned from there.

 

I'm old and wise and not foolish enough to trust connections from Crewe to South Wales. The car was in Weston Road Car Park. Nice 244 mile round trip for our shiny new 1.2 turbo Corsa.

 

I do apologise if I came across as a bit aggressive the other day, but as I said I don’t think adding a 47 on the back was done just to annoy anyone, I do understand how frustrating it my be though.
Again I’m sorry I came across as a tad aggressive.

 

Is that the plan ?

 

Hope not Liam. Being a bit flippant. We're booked on it!!!

 

On the plus side, perhaps a rare opportunity to see the twinkling lights and 'strange' Nuclear glow

 

Not much to see - even in daylight. I remember the first Cumbrian Coast Express - run on 27/06/78 which was operated from Preston to Sellafield - Class 40 40018 Preston - Carnforth, 4472 to Sellafield, 4498 Sellafield - Carnforth then Class 40 40018 back to Preston. IIRC the price was £7.50 and I travelled up from London for the event (86020 north then 86261 back). A long day out !!

 

Yes ive 'bravely' stood on the platform there a couple of times whilst the Loco took water, but not at night

 

You didn't opt for a diesel, then? [Sorry, I'm off to the naughty step.]