The Salopian Express 22/04/16 WCRC

Intrigued as to what will work this now, expected 5699 but she is in the frame for two tours for SD down south, could it be one of the Scots ? ( you don't know how long I've waited to be able to say that)! Or is it the other available Jub, or even the 2-8-0 ? I'll be happy with any, considering the uncertainty we have all suffered recently, anyway, it's my birthday present to ME, what a treat...

 

8f or 5690 maybe but who knows .

 

I'd expect 45690 to take this one ! Galatea looks to have a busy schedule coming up.

 

Certainly wont be Galatea as she's working the SD runs from London in place of Princess Elizabeth and it definitely wont be 44932 as she's still under overhaul. 46115 Although her boiler certificate doesn't expire for another 2 years it's unknown if she is in one piece at present as she still hasn't been seen on the Hellifield circuit for a test run, Leander is the likely engine for such a tour as she's the only 75mph loco that's known to be available (the other engine being sister Galatea but she will be further south). 48151 Hasn't been out on a charter for quite some time as she didn't go out at all in 2015 and I believe the last railtour that she worked was The Welsh Mountaineer in Aug 2014.

 

Already here: http://www.national-preservation.com/threads/the-salopian-express-22-4-wcrc.689519/

(Mod comment: The above two posts consolidated into existing thread)

 

So not now as advertised via Frodsham, Chester & Wrexham?

 

The revised timings are up. Crewe-Shrewsbury direct. Not convinced there's going to be steam at all from the "details". Might be Diesel only.

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U10592/2016/04/22/advanced

 

Looks decidedly steamless to me also, if it is, I'll just have to live and learn, wonder if there will be another FTR failure in the morning....

 

If it was diesel surely there would be no need for a 40 minute stop at Crewe. Services on the crewe to Shrewsbury line is not that frequent.

 

Explain how it looks steamless ? The 95mph max should be ignored on RTT, as the return is for 60mph, which is usual for a steam path.

 

There's time for loco changes at Crewe in both directions, and there's a turning move from Coton, around the triangle and back, so looks like there will be steam from Crewe and back.

 

Steam attaches and detaches at Preston. There are loco moves between Carnforth and Preston both ways, and there is still a loco turning move at Shrewsbury. So it might still be steam, maybe.

 

45690 Leander reported heading south to Preston with a wreath on the smoke box for a recently deceased WCRC member of staff apparently.

Shocked that Leander is out as has already been said I thought it might have needed a test run first but anyway................

 

45690 was out on test last week with 48151 so no shock really !

 

I think most of us were expecting 45690 to do a fully loaded test run and not a top and tail trundle to Hellifield and back with the 8f and a POB between them. Hope she goes well.

 

22/04/2016 - 45690 "Leander" on "The Salopian Express" from Dumfries - Shrewsbury, south of Farington curve junction passing Flag lane.

2 pictutres here - http://steamingnorth.com/displayimage.php?pid=6535&fullsize=1

John