Railway Touring Company's 2017 Programme

Something wrong with the once common Sellafield stop?

 

Has the gauging restriction at Harrington been resolved? With SG out of ticket and the Jubilees out of gauge, unless they hired in Royal Scot, the only available loco in gauge at Harrington is probably the 8F which is probably unsuitable for the run over Shap.

 

Well I keep hearing when they try to bring 45690 Leander it always gets deemed out of gauge for Harrington Station even though 45699 Galatea comes down the line quite a bit

 

Do not think watering at Sellafield an issue other than that it now seems to be done in the loop not the station so the pax do not get a leg stretch. Not usually an issue if they have been to Carlisle, but once when we were not allowed into Carlisle due to ECML diversions and watered in the yard at Upperby those from Euston or Milton Keynes were getting a bit stir crazy by then. Of course they only had another 7 hours until they got back to Euston.
I was led to believe that the gauging issues had been resolved following some re measurement but it would need someone from WCRC or NR to confirm that.

 

Well I'm guessing 45690 will be on the Lune Rivers Trust to York, what engines are deemed in gauge for the CCL

 

Galatea went round the coast in March this year.

 

Yes I saw the engine at Ravenglass

 

Scots, Galatea and River Mite......

 

Probably a daft question.

I'm on the Dorset coast express tomorrow. Is the water stop at Winchfield in the platform? Can I risk boarding there? It would make life a lot easier.

 

Yes, in platform and nothing to stop you joining there but you'd have to check with RTC. Officially I would guess they would say no because any non-advertised stops can always be changed/cancelled due to any number of reasons on the day.

 

Even when the water did not arrive we were at Winchfield for a few minutes. HOWEVER I am not saying that it is a given that the train will stop there, things have been known to change on the day. But yes the stop is platformed when it happens..

 

Returning to consideration of the Bognor trip; I have been contemplating this but I am dubious about the attractions of 3½ hours at the seaside (1½ at Bognor and a further 2 at Littlehampton) in late October. Doing this trip a couple of months earlier would have had more appeal.

 

How about a good bracing walk. 7.6 miles along the coast from BR to L. Just right.

 

Regarding the Christmas White Rose on 23rd November I see it has now been changed to an Ealing Broadway start/finish instead of Kings Cross. When I originally looked at the change I assumed diesel assistance would be required on the return up the North London Incline to Camden Road, but I see 46233 went up there last night with 11 on unassisted. I will happily book if diesel free as I want to get a few miles behind 60009 before she is retired. Does anyone have any info on whether diesel assistance is likely on this tour?

 

The trick is to find a pub and enjoy a few relaxing pints.

 

When I went to Bognor on the trip in 2006 ( The last time a trip went there I think?), I met up with someone I use to work with for a drink, and spent the whole time in the Wetherspoons !
I wonder if Braunton will be repaired in time for this trip,, since it is now longer attending the WSR Gala or now listed for the SD trip the week before.

 

Well, it could be worse. I see there's also The Alex and the William Hardwicke, which is noted as an alternative to Spoons. Just don't go dancing, that's all!

As for motive power, makes one wonder what on earth went 'pop' on July 8. Wonder if 60009 will be gauged to do it? Or even 70013?

 

Or 45212. Listed on SD for trip to Swanage on 5/10. I suspect a number of locos will be gauged. Nr. 9 is down for Three Bridges to Bath at the end of November, so it will be useful to know if it fits some of the route now.