RTC 2018

Or the WSR it seems according to the link on the WSR thread.

 

I wonder how this affects the Royal Duchy series of trains, operated by WCRC with Icons of Steam locos.

 

Did hear that a while ago, but only as a rumour. Understand RTC is still expecting 34052 to do the last 2 Royal Duchys. If not 34052, what I wonder? Sorry, posted a moment later.

 

Yep, it is going to help out with the Peak season timetable as they are a bit short of Steam motive power. LSL have really helped out Heritage lines: 45231 sent to the MHR for Christmas services last year, 45231 also going to SVR this year for peak season, 60019 to the MHR after ML ticket expired and the Bluebell for GoS Gala as 70000 was unavailable.

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And there were some people on another thread suggesting there were too many MNs, and that there was no need for any more at the moment...

 

Indeed, greater minds etc ....

 

Nowt to disagree with there, plus the incremental approach takes in the Waverley too.

 

If neither of the Jubilee's are available for the 23rd June CME in a weeks time, BIL would need to come over for that I would think. 8F over Shap is not preferable, though it's done it in the past occasionally. It would be a good running in turn for 61306

 

Indeed. Was on the last 8F trip over Shap in 2014. Great on the uphill section, not so great on the downhill. 46115 also took a few years to settle in. Despite this, it remains a truly fine hill climber, having done Druimuachdair, Ffestiniog and Beattock with it.

 

Doubt if a class 5 would be used on CME. I think 45699 is fit.

 

Even though 45699 has put in a number of startling performances, the Jubilee is an LMS class 5. I'd wager that there wouldn't be much difference in the climbing times for a 5MT and a 5X but obviously the downhill sections would be a different matter with the 60/75 mph speed limit difference. A B1 has the latter advantage too but not sure ite would be as strong in the climb as a Black 5?

 

Think that 35018 not going south is correct call this time around. The RD’s are a question mark. Maybe a sensible load with Castle. Im guessing the Dorset pool shall be 60009 and 45212. No word on 5305.

 

Whilst you are obviously right about the top speed surely a 3 cylinder 5XP is rated as a class 6 and the only 5MT which approaches that in performance is 45212, for reasons which are entirely clear to me.

 

In LMS days, the black five was 5P5F, Jubilee having longer legs and three pots was the express version used on lighter trains going faster. Of course a Jubilee was 6P in BR classification but if one considers V2s were also in the 6 group it can be deduced this was a far from scientific categorisation. A V2 and Jubilee are worlds apart in terms of their capabilities I would suggest, could easily in fact have been two bands apart 7/5, respectively. The similarly dimensioned Southern N15s were class 5 too. The point I make is that a Jubilee on 12 say would have little adhesive or drawbar advantage over the 5MT despite what it says on the cabside, the extra cylinder seemingly the difference in rating. 45596 is more likely a genuine class 6 with its improved exhaust arrangement.
I seem to recall 45305 acquitting itself very well in the fells during early WCME days so 5MTs are capable of outstanding performances. You allude to 45212 being a virtual 6 but I'm not aware it has any specific feature that would elevate it, other than it's obviously a good un. 44932 was renowned as a strong performer by all accounts but has a 28 element superheater rather than the more common 24 IIRC, which may explain a little of this.
As to the B1 originally mentioned, I doubt there would be much to separate that from a Jubilee either but I don't recall having heard comparisons made by ex enginemen whereas I have heard some of the black five / Jubilee comparison discussed.

 

45305 took 12 on the CME north over Shap, in the rain, in 2011

 

Ok yes. The 60 mph limit doesn't help and maybe should be reconsidered. In BR days they were timed at speeds up to 90 mph and in more recent times I timed 44932 at 81 mph. The driver thought it was a 75 mph loco. See my book 'Biography'

 

5305 is hoped to be running in Aug at GCR 1968 weekends.

 

A current picture 5305 would be good. If possible.

 

Indeed it did .