RTC 2021

Of course we have no idea if that is a WCRC view about 81C or not. If your core business is based around 10A the it is logical to assume you would want to concentrate your locos there so that you have sufficent capacity and back up to achieve this. It is a bit like saying BA do not base enough aircraft at Gatwick or Manchester.
We also have to remember these are not the heady days of the early 2000's with lots of mainline locos available, compounded by the market sementation between the "big two" (with the Black 5's as part of the WCRC group) and VT and the "guns for hire" as smaller players.
Maybe we should be lobbying Boris for some "levelling up of the South"!

 

Nonsense. The most recent class 8 was Clan Line on 500 tons 15th September 46-48 sustained on the I in 122 all the way up. Also class 7 Tangmere many times with up to 450 tons in 2005 - 2007

 

It's not "nonsense" to say that I've never witnessed it - I didn't say it had never happened. They were probably also outside the leaf fall season.

 

It’s also not a busy main line anymore compared to pre HS1

 

The implication was that it had never happened. It has many times . So presumably you haven’t had much experience of this route.

 

No, it wasn't.

 

I think the issue is likely to be that support crews are based in the North, and they have to find ones willing to come down South and stay in a support coach next to the Great Western Mainline at Southall.

 

"York Yuletide Christmas Express" has been in Humberstone Road loop for nearly an hour now due to the water tanker being stuck in traffic; no estimate as to length of delay
Update: 6233 has just gone past the window on its own, maybe off to Leicester depot for a drink?

 

Thanks for the update, just saved me a long cold wait….

 

Before this mornings problems, passing through Harpenden. I won't bring up the diesel again after what happened last time I spoke about it....

 

Photo attatched of 6233 soon after passing Kettering North jnc on the Mkt Harboro line,15 mins late ,several trains delayed ,wether 6233 was enterley to blame its a job to say. MML very busy since the new timetable ,got my doubts about futre steam specials .Cylinder cocks in full song as was the 47 on the back. Loco did'nt seem to be in the best of health to me..Rain /sleet storm also did'nt help maters for me standing in a field.

 

I'd stay in your nice warm home; 47802 just running round to continue the journey north
Keeping fingers crossed that we might see the Duchess at some stage on the return....

 

Opentime or Traksy maps are your friend, you can track the train from signal to signal and don’t have to leave the car until it’s almost in view

 

Departed Humberstone Road 81 late with 47802 on the front after removing the POB. 6233 just returned from the depot as we left so can only hope that it will follow us and join at Barrow Hill on the return journey as booked.

 

Been into Traksy since it first started,the shot I wanted was half way up Desboro.bank ,two ways of getting there ,both about a mile walk from car parking ,very few shots ,if any , in the Kettering area can be done like you say.

 

I think there was a water supply problem with the Duchess, the tanker was delayed and I'm sure those on the footplate would have been informed of that so they may have been trying to conserve water to reach Barrow Hill without topping up. Obviously, if that was the case, they didn't make it. I think we will see problems with road tankers until (if?) Bells and Two Tones are up and running again.
I said it could be what happened, unless you are on the footplate and know what's going on it's impossible to know.

 

I admire your tenacity, not a day for a long walk!

 

Any update on whether the Duchess is making an appearance on the return or is it spoon all the way?