The Buxton Spa Express 27/06/15

Didn't see a thread for this but have noticed some provisional times have appeared on RTT

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/sea...8/0600-2000?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt&toc=WR

out Via Hazel Grove, back via Sheffield & Rochdale. From timings im guessing its Steam Preston - Buxton - Manchester?

 

Darn! No Copy Pit

 

Has the motive power been announced?

 

RTC Website says 61994 & either 62005 or 61264 DH. Just to make times confusing though, there are also LE moves in from Bury to Man Vic and back, the outbound one arriving at Vic after the provisional times say the tour leaves. So it looks very likely that outbound times at least will change.

 

Maybe RTC thought it needed a refresh to keep it attractive?
Having said that the advertised motive power and that provided on the day often don't correspond so you may be proved right again.

 

Probably pathing issues through Sough or elsewhere. Whilst shortening the trip a bit and removing a decent climb, it means I finally get to do the third side of Brewery Junction triangle on the return to Man Vic, a stretch of track I missed when bailing out of the 'The Hadrian' at Wakefield. So some unfinished business gets, well, finished, as I am not pressed by a drive to Stevenage the following day!

 

Looking at the timings it seems more likely steam throughout from Preston to Buxton with a pilot loco attached at Manchester Vic on the outward journey (hence LE Bury - Victoria) then loco detached at Manchester Victoria on return whilst train loco takes water for onward journey to Preston. As noted timings will change beforehand so any thoughts can only be guesstimates at best.

 

Cheshireman with 44871 a few years ago I seem to recall took water at victoria? Could be wrong

 

Received notice from RTC this has been rescheduled for the 27th June, route as previously advertised ! whether that means Copy Pit or not I don't know, site not updated yet, motive power was 61994-62005/61264, seeing the K1 will be in Scotland, I am hoping for the K4-B1 combo or, preferably 2 x B1's in the absence of any LMS loco's, but somehow I doubt that......

 

Ok, sweepstake time! 1 pence says it will be at least one Jubilee and either another Jubilee or the K4... However, I wouldn't mind if 61264 had an outing to top up my mileage behind it.

 

It would be good to have a locomotive that just echoes on the climb to Copy Pit. Remember 5043's performance 2011?

 

6

61264 is currently a 4-4-0 as there's a problem with one of the wheelsets. I have a feeling it's contracted to the Moors during the peak season as well, and can only be used on mainline tours in quieter times of the year. The K4 is there too.

 

Can't see Copy Pit being featured somehow because of the ongoing engineering work through Bolton. They could include it if they made it steam hauled throughout though and set down Preston passengers at Blackburn then go round past Farington Junction to get to Wigan & Manchester Victoria.

 

In the end, I'm just happy the drought is gradually ending. But a return on my penny would be nice...

 

Now on uksteam, 61994+61264 (tbc) via Copy & Bolton, fingers crossed it stays that way !

 

No chance of going through Bolton; the route through there is closed every weekend until at least the beginning of October for electrification work.

 

Had a letter from RYTC saying it's cancelled. When I phoned up for a refund they said the coaching stock could now no longer be guaranteed.

 

Cancelled rather than postponed again? Pity, there seemed an outside chance of finally seeing the Jubilee pairing with the B1 being sidelined and the K4 committed elsewhere.