Cathedrals Express Valentine's Day Lunchtime Tour

Oh yes, an S15 at 25 mph is a convincing recreation of steam in the 50s and 60s - not.

 

What a strange post. I don't like diesels on the back and have said so, you don't like diesels on the back yet rather than agree you are having a go seemingly on the basis that I'm in favour of the practice.
Must be something in the Reading air.

 

can we rename this thread. "The Saint Valentines Day Massacre"?

 

If you want to play in NRs back yard you have to play by NRs rules, and if the TOC don't fancy being hit by big fines if their shiny old toy at the front goes bang then they're perfectly within their rights to do whatever they so choose to mitigate their loss. They're a private company at the end of the day and it really is all about the money. As evidenced by the large turnout they clearly didn't struggle too much to flog tickets for this particular trip.

It isn't the 1960s anymore.

 

It does seem that a lot is asked of class 5's on such runs, usually 10 + coaches, and often tight timings, Mayflower has the advantage of an extra 15MPH over a Black 5/Hall, but non the less is still a class 5 and needs to be loaded/timed accordingly, it'll pull 10 fine enough on a route without big gradients, but don't expect it to accelerate like a Brit with the same weight.

 

Is Sapperton going to be tough with a 10 car train?

 

Lets hope so - As i plan to be there, I shall be upset if it romps up with barely a whisper.

 

Me two. I am crossing my fingers. Mayflower and 61264 for that matter have both been successful up Wilpsher(sp) on their tests out of Carnforth. Stephengthompson clip of 61306's run is magnificent.

 

Another trip ran on Valentines day with a class 5 loco, without diesel assistance, for nearly 200 miles; at considerably less cost than this. It also included an unassisted assault of a 1 in 52 bank. Choose your trip and promoter carefully and you can still have a good day out, in the UK we are blessed with choice.

 

I assume we are talking about the VTL run with Rood Aston Hall - if so that is with the same train operating company which would suggest that the diesel on the back is not some manner of corporate decision from WCRC as has been suggested on here.

 

I'll hang my hi-viz out of the window to add some colour.

 

73096 has done it with 10 and no diesel assistance.

 

But as Big Al pointed out, the diesel was not part of the advertised deal until a couple of days before it ran and he elected to forego his booking once he found out. The fact that SD have advertised the March 1st trip has having "no planned diesel assistance" is an interesting development. If it's no big deal to have a box on the back, why advertise that one isn't planned?

 

This discussion conjures up a scene similar to this of railtour/TOC managements thinking up ways to irritate NP members. Muahaha.

 

Couple of video's from the evening run to Brighton...

 

I really like the second clip because apparently Mayflower got to work both ways.

 

I think this is a good point - a commercial operation works both ways; the business (TOC) has to ensure it doesn't take unnecessary risks, but it also has to ensure that its product is as advertised or as close as possible within the spirit of the product description.