Welsh Mountaineer, 4th August

Looking at information in a booklet I have from my last trip on "The Welsh Mountaineer" in 2014, the gradient out of Betws-y-Coed starts at 1 in 50 with the steepest part being at 1 in 36.

 

Quite. It's twisty, too! 48151 and 61994 have coped with 6 before now, though not sure with how much margin. Several Black 5s have shown that 5 is enough for them.

 

Anyone know who was driving today?

 

Quick Question:

Is it the TOC, or NR who decide the load for the trip???

Or do we expect NR to get involved with recommendations for load, class of loco, assistance requirements.

Cannot think the problems since re-instatement will go un noticed...

 

I did one of the trips with 61994 a couple of years ago. Had to look at the map and gradient profile to realise we were climbing - she absolute flew!

 

It was a West Coast crew. Do we really need to know any more? <BJ>

 

Not we, me I asked a simple question which you answered with a question
Strange that you joined on my birthday

 

When 80079 stalled she set back 3 times and easily restarted on the straight and accelerated but as soon as she got onto the check rails speed fell off and that was that. before we set off up the branch an ex Llandudno Junction driver said you will never get past MP19 with that load, and he was exactly right. 45231 a couple of years ago was an exact repeat.

 

My contact said they got to 18 3/4 mp before they eventually set back.

 

As I replied: ''It was a West Coast crew''. <BJ>

 

In 2009 with 45231 with 6, we set back to Betws-y-Coed and left a coach there to enable us to get to Blaenau Ffestiniog. Bill Andrew was driving.

 

Déjà vu all over again. Wasn't it Einstein defined insanity as doing the same thing but expecting a different outcome?

 

Bit harsh if you were not on the footplate with all the facts unless you mean you could have driven the 5 better but I doubt that !

 

Or leave the support coach at Llandudno Jn, which I believe has happened since the train I was on in 2009, if there is still a siding to put it.

 

Blimey was it as long ago as 2009! Forgot that the first 80079 never got to Blaenau, it was the second run they split the train.

 

No surprise there. The advantage of a specialised class compared with a general purpose design. The WC people may be regretting the fact that the K4 is based on the NYM at present.

 

I think you tempted fate Ian,

 

Just a quick grab of 45231 working the ECS back to Carnforth tonight.