NWCE 2015

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50627/2015/07/19/advanced

Bet the crew are delighted with a night in Preston this evening... assume there is a possession somewhere between Preston and Carnforth to stop them getting home?

 

Galatea almost to time away from Lime St, sounded good going up through the tunnels, diesel giving big push which is to be expected with the load.

 

45699 at Whiston, Moore and Guilden Sutton

 

Gallatea slips quietly towards Runcorn East and Helsby this morning:

 

Reported that 45699 has come off at Llandudno Junction with a Hot Box with the 47 working the remainder of the tour to Holyhead and back to Liverpool.

 

West Coast are in need of a reliable but relatively new loco at present. Any ideas? <BJ>

 

45699 booked 5Z95 1650 Llandudno Junction to Carnforth Steamtown,(Tender first) tonight

 

At least the engine can quietly make the journey back to WCRs base. Their pool of locomotives could do with some substantial augmentation since none of them are impressing in the reliability stakes.

 

When the diesel gets back to Lime St, won't they need a steam engine on the back for operational reasons!!

 

I'll often ask the train manager for a fare from Llandudno Junction on the NWCE or the Blaenau run but this time a fare was advertised fare from Llandudno : £44, only £30 less than the full run so I went along to photograph its arrival.



I'd never photographed the classic location of Conwy castle so walked there and up the hill. The Jubilee left on time but stopped, then after a long wait we saw 47760 on the other line and figured there must be a problem and it would couple in front. Then 45699 reversed and about 10 minutes later I was able to photograph a maroon locomotive passing the castle



After which I walked back to photograph the stricken loco

 

She was 11 minutes early at St Helens Junction and nearly missed the shots! Nearly 20 mins early at Warrington with a 30 minute stopover. Either the planned timings were wrong or she was steaming exceedingly well! Probably not the reason for the hot box but who knows?

 

What a shame. Carnforth is once again having trouble with their fleet.

 

Hopefully there's a chiropodist in the Carnforth area

 

61994, 46233
Something needs to be brought in.

 

So that's 3 failures in the last week or so with 45231, 45690 & 45699.

How are WCRC going to cope with providing a steam loco for 3 mid week tours plus the regular Sunday Waverley starts this week as well!!!

I've read on here that 46115 only has a month left on its boiler ticket, is that correct? I thought I had read some where that it had some boiler work done to give it a 12 month extension

Is recalling Tangmere from down south an option??

Anyone know the status of 44932 or 48151?