Spirit of the Lakes Express 09/04/2016

Running according to steam info ,45699 Skeggy to Stratford ,diesel back ,very early start.

 

Its 06.32 depart not 05.32 as per Steam info

 

Link to timings :

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54416/2016/04/09/advanced

 

Timed for water stop at castle donington? might go and have a look if it runs.

 

Some of you will know that 45699 returns LE with support coach to Tyseley Steam Trust (possibly staying overnight) after arrival into Stratford, wonder if she'll bear the "Spirit of the Lakes" headboard, planning on seeing this trip but searching some good spots on the Tyseley - Stratford section, any good suggestions?

 

Not a lot of good spots Tom, as all the decent spots are overgrown and better suited from Stratford to Bham due to long climb from Wooton Wawen to Earlswood. The best spot I would go for is at the footcrossing before Wilmcote Station which is situated off the canal. Check out the first shot from the video below ! This is where I would of gone if I was out filming.

 

The moves to and from Tyseley are
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54419/2016/04/09/advanced
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54418/2016/04/09/advanced

 

Some decents shots in that vid, well done (!) hope the weather holds well for Saturday, i did like the look of Wootton Wawen showing the long straight, just hope its the right choice because once its off that train next one is not for another hour!

 

If the train is to be diesel hauled back to Skegness, what is that move from Tyseley to Stratford all about? WCRC into Stratford platform 1, arriving at 15:47, six minutes behind a London Midland train into the same platform, then the next movement is the London Midland train going back out, only a quarter of an hour later. http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/advanced/SAV/2016/04/09/1600?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt

 

There's also a light engine movement earlier in the day from Carnforth to Tyseley...

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54415/2016/04/09/advanced

I assume this and the Tyseley to Stratford light engine movement are a diesel coming down from Carnforth to work the return leg to Skeggie, although I suspect that there will be a diesel on the back of the outward leg and this second diesel is to allow it to go back with top and tail diesels as per most WCRC trains.

As for the platforms, I suspect the light engine arrives at P1 behind the LM sevrice then shunts to another platform, but RTT won't show the latter local movement.

 

That'll make 3 Jubes at the same location! first time in preservation ? by my reconing the last place would have been Holbeck ?

 

The plan has changed. It now returns directly from Stratford to Carnforth via Dorridge.

 

Water also at Bingham ?( 10 min stop )Its about 95 miles and nearly 3 hrs of steaming from Skeggy to Castle Donnington, can.t see 45699 doing that with out assistance from a diesel. Also Castle Donnington is listed twice on steam info, presume its a mistake for Sutton Coldfield

 

Galatea not going to Stratford coming off at Saltley then going straight back to Carnforth

 

Presume this http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54419/2016/04/09/advanced ?

 

Just found this path, looks official but then again nothings changed with the outward times http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54419/2016/04/09/advanced

 

I'm thinking of giving WCR a call tomorrow to ask whats going on, if its true about 45699 coming off at Duddeston Jc then i'm venturing to Tamworth HL, nothing will stop me seeing 45699 nor get my first glimpse of mainline steam in such a while

 

Definitely true Galatea not going to Stratford, the Duddeston Jt leave 11.05 is the timetable for her going back to Carnforth.