Flying Scotsman

The generator car is used on diesel tours so why not steam? This would be a very good punt for a genuine unassisted tour for which there have been very few this year.
The DB operated Pullman to the Greatest Gathering with Flying Scotsman was unassisted utilising Belmond's generator car.
This is a very good move and opens the door to further trips next year with Scotsman and maybe also Tornado and Clan Line who are also on DB's books. Extremely positive news.

 

As an illustration of how delicate the Cartazzi truck is, there was a notable incident during 4472's US tour when the engine became derailed at a roundhouse. While George Hinchcliffe was distracted elsewhere, the US railroad staff tried to rerail the engine using a ramp. Result? The rear axle and journals were badly scored, necessitating an emergency repair job which, IIRC, involved removing the wheels from the axle. To their credit, the railroad concerned took full responsibility and sent the rear wheel set away by road to get the job done overnight.

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But, unassisted steam sat in a Mk3? Is that really something to look forward to? It’s bad enough sat in a mk1, what on Earth is the attraction of sitting in a Mk3 behind a steam loco? You won’t see or hear anything?!

 

Did you mean mk1? Aren't those what most of us prefer, and lament the lack of in WCRC's current rakes?

 

You don't hear much from a Mk2 so, and with the general lack of charter rolling stock, what do you suggest?

This is a positive step forward to get Scotsman on the mainline at reasonable prices.

Having travelled on the ERS Mk3's to Derby in July, they are a lovely vehicle to travel in.

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The normal reason for the diesel behind the steam locomotive is when there is incompatibility between train loco and coaching stock hence the diesel is there to "translate" the train loco braking instructions for the use by the coaches. Where the loco and stock are compatible then the diesel - as noted - is placed at the rear both as support and to assist in shunting movements where appropriate. In the early days of 60103's latest overhaul it had no vacuum brakes fitted hence with only air brakes a translator vehicle (i.e. the diesel) was used with vacuum-braked stock to allow 60103 to haul trains.

 

Is there anything wrong with that?