35018 British India Line

Yes is must pose quite a dilemma if capacity is finite. The operational business needs a healthy fleet so if workshop capacity is the rate determining aspect there must be a good case for contracting out one or two of the overhauls.

 

Assuming that there is someone with the spare capacity to overhaul an engine, plus the cost to West Coast to hire in an engine for a railtour if they can't use an home based loco plus it depends on how much revenue they stand to make, for instance, lets say the next engine out is 35018, which is a reasonable assumption to make, the first tours with that engine, are likily to sell out more than if a black 5 takes it, plus an 8P can haul more coaches, so more operating profit, then, if thats followed by Bodmin, again, a rebuilt WC over the northern fells, would have rarity value, prior to a move down south, if West Coast still want to operate down in the south.

 

Didn't WCRC say in Steam Railway that a possible date for a test run for 35018 was April 1st? Take what you want about the date but given how close she looks in the Heritage Railway pictures it could have been 35018.

 

WC needs to have a reliable fleet of suitable locos available to meet its needs and those of its customers or be at the mercy of other loco providers. Assuming a high degree of self-sufficiency is an aspiration, a strategy for achieving this would reasonably have to consider contracting out to third parties. This would also have sustaining effect for the ancillary suppliers which WC and others rely on.

 

April the 1st might not be a classic fools day after all !

 

Test runs seldom, if ever, happen on a Saturday. How many inspectors work weekends? As usual, though, the first we're likely to hear about a possible test run is when the Q-path to Hellifield is activated in RTT and our Carnforth regulars hear a low "E-flat" whistle

 

Sorry, way behind the curve, but I think 34043 (along with 34055) was the subject of various experiments and never quite the same again. Certainly those two were among the first withdrawals. Did Bournemouth assign their weakest WCs to the S and D diagrams? I've never read that.

 

If it follows the pattern of previous launches there will be a number of runs to Hellifield and back over the course of many days followed by a loaded run or two around the full circuit. My understanding is that a certificate to carry out main line testing has to be gained prior to venturing onto the network but I do not know whether an inspector has to be on board each time a test run is undertaken. The fully loaded test is usually the sign off turn which gives full VAB acceptance and a final certificate of conformity. This is then provided to NR for entry onto its database. That is the gist of what has previously been explained to me by learned colleagues, if my interpretation is correct.

 

I've certainly read that Bournemouth used to send it's lame ducks to the S&D...probably Pete Smith

 

35018 was in steam this afternoon:

https://andrewstransport.smugmug.com/Northwesttrains/North-West-trains-2017/

Cheers

Andrew N

 

Still outside in steam tonight. AN

 

Not heading to Swanage is it??

 

Is that (4)5231 and (4)5690 in the foreground?

Chris

 

48151 & 45231 in steam on Tuesday so perhaps them .

 

Thanks
I thought (4)8151 was due its 7 yearly- must have been a quick turn around?!

Chris

 

So there we go - thanks for the reports. "BI-Day" is getting closer, it would seem. Another Class 8 loco being available will be very welcome news to many.

 

Shush! Your on to them! I'd be wary of anyone carrying an umbrella approaching you tomorrow!

 

It was reportedly inside the shed in bits only last week according to @RalphW. Rapid turnaround indeed!

 

Going into overhaul 48151 was in pretty good condition in my opinion after the 14 Scarborough Spa Expresses last summer. Would a 6 month overhaul be too far fetched for a loco in good condition with not many issues to be sorted out?