West Coast Santa trains 2017

And paint the smokebox dart red!

James

 

Looking at RTT, the timings seems quite generous. It gives 29 minutes to get through the Ribble Valley from Horrocksford Jn to Daisyfield Jn while the WCR test path gives 23 minutes and CMEs get 21 minutes and have often made up time.

Any ideas on the load?

 

Could be quite a load as consist comprises 2 trainsets - a Santa Special and a Luxury Diner; I suspect that traction will be 35018 from Carnforth (diesel quoted from starting point at Lancaster to Carnforth then steam traction forward).

 

There might be quite a gallery on the approach to Clapham in that case given last outing .....

 

Lets hope that 35018 behaves this time or she will be on Santa 's Naughty list have a lump of coal on christmas day

 

Assuming it is 35018, There's always a chance the diesel could stay on the back, maybe if only for the first one.

Think I'll head to Wilpshire bank for it.

 

Why? It's a class 8 loco. The issues that affected it's maiden run could happen to any loco. Other than that it performed well and has been rapidly fixed.

 

A diesel to supply ETH would not be unreasonable plus a safeguard should adhesion be a problem. A dealyed train carrying larger than usual numbers of children would not be good.

 

I think a diesel is a pre-requisite of the day out.

In case of loco problems/adhesion, firstly, but more importantly to provide ETH, and as the general public are the target for this, and, they may come back and do another tour, I could not blame WCRC for doing that.

Its a sensible decision, if that is the way it goes.

 

like 60103 recently...
... These things happen

 

Rail conditions are never going to be at their best in November/ December, and if it is 35018, they are not the most sure footed of engines, so a diesel on the back to act as insurance has to be sensible as you say, it can also provide ETH if steam heating isnt going to be used.

 

Pretty sure the pros will outweigh the cons in the planning stage.

 

Noooooooo! You've gone off script! You're meant to start bashing WCRC at any given moment! Mods, edit his post!

 

The pro WCRC police have already Edited his post he is currently helping them with their investigations

 

So some would have it .......

 

"They" are beyond help. No investigations, judge, jury and executioner all done
A non-binary view of things is possible, however.

 

I assume if 35018 is the motive power the can on the rear would be advisable as the Lune rivers brought BIL to a stand before Clapham on the 1 in 128 section so the climb up the steep 1 in 82 could prove tricky . Even the class 8 Princess Elizabeth came to a stand on Wilpshire bank a few years back . Edit due wrong loco number

 

Indeed Steve, a wise precautionary measure I would expect to be taken and always planned, especially as the diesel drags south to the Lancaster start.

 

Implications from the marketing have been that the diesel comes off at Carnforth. Not sure if the diesel drags the whole train including steam down to Lancaster or switch to steam at Carnforth,

 

There is only one way to obtain clarification should you require it ......