45690 The Cumbrian Mountain Steam Express II 11/3/17

Footage of Leander in fine form passing Milnthorpe...



Thanks...

 

Leander powering north at Sedgwick.

https://flic.kr/p/SC4TdS

Phil

 

LMS 5XP 4-6-0 No. 45690 'Leander' putting on the style as it heads north to Carlisle with the 'Cumbrian Mountain Express II'

 

Why did this have a DL on the back and 45699 didn't?

 

This trip was only steam one way( See UK Steam), so presumably attached to save a path.

 

So was the Midday Scot but the diesel ran LE behind. Maybe @meltonnorth has negotiated for RTC tours but this was a solo WCRC operation. Lesson learned?

 

Likewise there have been various mentions on here previously of locomotive owners requesting a rear gunner?

Plus were both load 10, the Scot is a 7P the Jubilee 6P - so not comparing like for like?

 

Contrast that with the fluidity that you referred to in your post on the Midday Scot. Seems that paths open up.

 

From what I've seen there was hardly any assistance up Shap.

 

Plus WCR were rather busy with four steam charters on the same day, scattered across the UK, which would require at least 8 footplate crews, working on the assumption each charter requires two crews, plus another crew on the shadow diesel traction for the Mid Day Scott - 18 staff alone.
Quite challenging, as it is probably only WCR can operate at this level of volume of traffic on the same day, plus all the support elements.

 

The consist was similar to 21st January WCME also worked by 45690 so perhaps it is indeed loco specific?

 

As ever, buyer beware. This tour was run by WCRC themselves.

RTC seem to have adopted a policy in recent weeks of ensuring openness and a desire to deliver pure steam. Further evidenced by the Midday Scot on the same day. Their Cumbrian trip with Galatea was pure steam too. As a critic of RTC, they do seem to be responding to the lack of confidence in the market which makes me and others more inclined to trade with them.

WCRC tours are on our avoid list unless they adopt the @meltonnorth approach.

 

My mistake...

As in terms of paths being magically found, was the diesel not already on an agreed path to get it up to Edinburgh to haul the return and then stopped short at the Loop to pilot from there, I assume in the path already activated for the steam hauled train?

 

It wasn't last year...

 

And did not use the path it had for itself.

 

Just to be pedantic it was in it's booked path until it was held at Abington, So what was your point?

Dave B