70013: returning to mainline after 2016 autumn gala.

Copied and pasted from the 5305 Loco Association's post on faceache:-
After a very successful 'double header' of jobs taking us from one side of England to the other, we are disappointed to have to report that 70013's main line season is over for this year.

Through no fault of the crew, the 'Brit' picked up flats on its tyres en route back from Taunton back to Southall after a very successful run to Kingswear on Saturday night. These tyres were already well worn and due to be replaced in February 2015, after the Great Central Railway's winter gala - it is not feasible to turn them again.

Whilst further 75mph running is not possible, the problem can be managed running at reduced speeds on the GCR, and the work will be taken care of as part of the works already planned for the spring.

We are very sorry for disappointment caused to passengers who were looking forward to the 'Brit' hauling The Cathedrals Express on 22 November, but look forward to getting the engine back to base at Loughborough and readying it for 2015's programme. In the meantime, 45305 remains available for main line work at its current base on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway.

 

That is no doubt a direct result of the skids in the yoghurt advert then ;-)

 

I went and saw her go through Theale on Sunday night and shot a short video - I thought when I played it back that it sounded like she had bad wheel flats but hoped it was on the coach and not the loco.

 

I can't believe this has happened again. 34046 suffered the same problem after being moved and lost some ML work. So what is left in the South for ML Tours? Only 35028? Good job there aren't many tours until December.

 

If it was no fault of the crew, how did it happen?

 

It would not surprise me if the cause was railhead conditions at this time of the year.

 

Any news on the current status of 70013 ? It no longer has any booked main line turns until July.

Edit: Just seen a report that it was seen on the M1 yesterday !

 

At midland railway centre to use facilities at West shed I believe?

 

From 5305LA Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/5305LA

 

A closer look at the delayed Oliver Cromwell sat on its new wheels by the side of the M1.

 

Seem to be having a number of low loader issues this year...

 

Rumour mill has it the low loaders are operated by a subsidiary of a banned TOC, NR and ORR have been informed..........

 

I've seen a few comments on here about how loading on low loaders is bad for steam engines... Maybe the reverse is true too, and there are complaints about the risk to precious low loaders from steam engines on HGV forums...

 

I don't think I'd fancy changing trailers with that thing at the side of the M1. Top marks to all concerned, a job like that is not for the faint hearted.

 

Posted yesterday on the 70013 Facebook page:

"For the first time in 12 months 70013 has steamed today at the Great Central Railway. Shown with a safety valve blowing, another stage nearing completion to running again"
(I think it's actually a lot more than 12 months)

I understand it will have a running-in session on the GCR and a complete repaint before going back out on the main line.

 

It's not just railways suffering from low loaders;
The attached article from the Daily Mirror website shows the damaged Spitfire after the trailer on which it was being transported along the A3, detached from the towing vehicle and crashed into a tree.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/hi ... re-8325949
Poor journalism though; it was a replica, not a WW2 vintage Spitfire.

 

Posted today on faceache:- "Breaking News
70013 Oliver Cromwell has today passed its steam examination and should be running at the Great Central Railway, Loughborough, Leicestershire this coming weekend 16th and 17th July as part of its running in turns. The engine is facing North and all being well will be on the engine rota for the weekend timetable."

 

Thanks for posting this good news. If it ends up working the following weekend, I'll be free and relatively close by. We'll see!

 

It's also advertised for this weekend on the GCR web site