Sugar Loaf Mountaineer : 7/07/18 - now 23/09/18

Nothing on the main line as far as I know. I last saw it on the Mid-Hants last winter. I understand that it's now working on the Severn Valley. Curious thing is that they seem to think it's appearing in their Autumn Gala which is the same weekend as this tour.

 

It's not at the SVR yet but is advertised for the Autumn Gala which as you say is the same weekend.

 

I’m going to guess another Locomotives Services loco will be provided for this tour if Sherwood Forester is at the SVR

 

Matt, It could just appear for the Friday and Saturday and then do an early morning light move to Shrewsbury ?

 

Problem is what other mainline approved approved black 5's are there that could attend the autumn gala, the riley duo 44871 & 45157 (45407) are on Jacobite duty, 45305's still out having work done on it's boiler, 5428's restricted to Whitby running but is likely to be needed by the NYMR so mainline black 5's leaves just 45212 unless it's needed elsewhere.

Other than those the only other operational black 5 is 45379 but I believe her ticket runs out either this month or next.

 

Does anything other than a Black 5 fit the Central Wales Line these days? The 8F trip got cancelled in 2016 but that was for reasons other than gauging I believe.

 

Steam Railway states Sherwood Forester failed it's fitness to run due to injector issues, but couldn't have moved anyway due to the steam ban in force on LNW. At time of publication, it was still hoped a move to SVR would take place.
Providing a test run could still take place, no reason the injector issue could not be repaired in next 4 weeks.

48151 and 48773 have both worked over the line in recent years, but this was prior to a loco ban that was in force a couple of years ago. Whether repair work has altered clearances I don't know, but can't imagine much else has changed on the route.

 

Regardless wouldn’t the loco need to be registered with DBC? The only locos available would be 45231, 44871 and 45407 to my knowledge unless anyone could add to the list? The latter two would still be tied up in Jacobite duties on this date.

 

What about a Royal Scot ? One's been to Blaenau, similar route.

 

Again Al, it's Arriva Trains not Pathfinder who are responsible for the running this train.

 

Pathfinder are the booking agents only, this train is promoted by Arriva Trains Wales. DBS will have applied for the route as TOC, please take your axe to grind with them or await the timings like the rest of us! I would hope that Arriva as main TOC for the route have a good idea of what is and is not, achievable.

 

Now this train is running on a Sunday there are now only 2 services each way to worry about and the train will have the line to itself until after lunch. Plenty of room for flexibility .

 

Can they cross with the unit at Llanwrtyd outbound and have a water stop there? If so I'd say leaving Craven Arms at 1040 and getting back ten hours later is feasible with a one hour or 90 minute break at Carmarthen. Can't see much room for flex if that doesn't work because the two units have to cross each other at Llandrindod. The return journey looks easier, surprisingly.

 

Possible to cross at Llandovery, Llanwrtyd, Llandrindod and Knighton. I think water has been taken at Llanwrtyd before but don't quote me on that! Water certainly been taken at the other stations before.

 

Am I missing the point about timing?
Service trains are timed at 4:20 including a 20-minute layover in Llandod ?
Servicing the train in Carmarthen should be fairly simple because of the triangle so as someone who has never done a mainline tour am I missing the point ?!?

 

The SVR have announced that 45231 won't be visiting.

 

Just over two weeks now and no sign of a test run for 45231 ! What else could feasibly cover for this, given it's a DBC gig ?