RTC 2014

"With the good news over the earlier opening of the Dawlish line, hopefully this will not now necessitate the inconvenience of changing the date for the Dartmouth trip on 19/4. It should also be good news for GB VII (as well as the SD Dartmouth trip on 10/4) "

A letter arrived from RTC yesterday stating that the 19th April Dartmouth trip is now reinstated on the 19th April due to NR saying that Dawlish will be open on the 4th. However, the cruise option at Dartmouth is no longer available due to the outline timings received from NR giving a shorter layover at Kingswear.

 

Bridgwater Taunton reopens Mon 10 March on a restricted basis. Looking good !

GB 7 IS heading for Falmouth.........(or so I understand....)

RTC bookings strong but there is room on the GB which is doing some rare track..........froth!

Btw I believe the Harz+mainline charters+ other charters ran well as did Sri Lanka which enjoyed steam to Galle,Trincomalee and,v v rare, on the Northern line to Anaradapura. 251 in good form but 340 had some challenges being just out from overhaul.

 

B1 to be attached at North Road rather than Tees Yard. Negates need to use either Network Rail yard or area controlled by DB.

Anyone have any idea if the Wansbeck is going down to North Blyth, or is it turning round at Freemans Crossing?

 

GB VII. Update
34046 to Exd
70000/5029 Truro then Falmouth to Brs
70000 Brs to Gr o Sands
46115(tbc) on to Edinburgh (subject to change!)
60009 Ed Ab Inv n/ b. ( 45407 Inv Ab. No9 61B to Edin s/b)
45407 Inv Kyle
62005 Mallaig (Shotts) Edin
60009 to York
46233 to KX
2 x 5s Edin to Stran (via Bathgate)
Tickets still available. Plans for next year are exceptionally interesting(to' me at least) with a most ambitious route......

Hope that's useful! Please no smart comments-this is simply an update to the best of my knowledge

I wanted to reply to Black Hat but more work is taking place and RTT may yet change. Boulby confirmed.

Ray Mason

 

Cheers Ray. Nice to see the ducks lining up (though there's still time yet for things to gang awry...!)

 

Got a email today £10 of 5th of April trip

 

Same here. Was tempted to do it, but am in London that weekend, taking in the ACE (probably with 44932 outward in the case of 34067's absence) prior to a couple of days doing research at the National Archives.

 

Two Bulleids would get me to book the 6th April run in the blink of an eye but not so sure if 34067 isn't ready in time. Then there's the blue locos at Didcot on the same day. Decisions, decisions.

 

Already booked. As long as its steam on the front for the entire journey in both directions, I'll be happy with whatever replaces 34067. It can't be helped if the loco remains under repair.

 

7 June. Seaford
Yesterday I gave David some provisional info which he kindly posted on UK steam
Sadly,I gave duff gen. 70013 is in the frame NOT 34067
The advance notice has been provided essentially for rare track bashers ESP those who missed Brighton to Lewes and the Seaford branch with steam. There will be a cl33 as it's. T/t operation with steam leading as in UK steam.
This is v much an early advice and I cannot answer any questions but it is a response to a local request for a steam celebration of 150yrs of the Seaford branch! RTC try to run with the diesel not working in summer but ......So,one for the v rare track enthusiasts rather than the "no diesel on the back,whatever"
Two steam can be used but the costs plus operational considerations mean Brit+cl33 is the plan on this proposal.
This is all ."provisional"but I understand a bid is now being processed by WCRC. Let's hope it all comes together!

Ray Mason

 

Hmmmmmmmmm... Will have to see the official write-up as I fit in the 'rare track with steam on the front, but doesn't matter if there's a diesel in the consist for operational reasons' brigade. Might be one to do instead of the non-stop with 46233.

 

Already booked on about six other trips, so have reached the stage of financial PNR. Its all very well booking tours, but there's the job of getting to the start point, and its that bit that costs money. I never say die, though.

 

Changing the subject what shall operate out of crewe this summer with the current Carlisle situation for a4's?

 

Probably West Coast's Northern Pool... I've heard rumours that the 8F is going to be on the 21st June CME Trip vice No. 9....

 

Any idea where I can find more information on this or where its being discussed. I know its about 8 wheel tenders, that others might be effected, but would be interesting to know details...

 

6201 Overhaul update: http://www.6201.co.uk/Report090314.htm

 

Actually, it's not necessarily the 4-axle tenders. Have a look at the thread discussing last weekend's VT Cumbrian Ranger with Bittern