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

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by Bulleid Pacific, May 1, 2018.

  1. 6026 King John

    6026 King John Well-Known Member

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    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.
     
  2. mattspencer

    mattspencer Well-Known Member

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

    Steamie Boxes Member

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    I’m going to guess another Locomotives Services loco will be provided for this tour if Sherwood Forester is at the SVR
     
  4. LMarsh1987

    LMarsh1987 Part of the furniture Friend

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    Matt, It could just appear for the Friday and Saturday and then do an early morning light move to Shrewsbury ?
     
  5. Moylesy98

    Moylesy98 Guest

    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.
     
  6. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Part of the furniture

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    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.
     
  7. acorb

    acorb Part of the furniture

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    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.
     
  8. Will RL

    Will RL Member

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    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.
     
  9. LMarsh1987

    LMarsh1987 Part of the furniture Friend

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

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Never mind the loco, the timing for the day is still the issue to my mind. I know it's Pathfinder who seem to think the day is elastic but this is really stretching it.
     
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  11. 1020 Shireman

    1020 Shireman Part of the furniture Friend

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

    acorb Part of the furniture

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    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.
     
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  13. acorb

    acorb Part of the furniture

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    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 .
     
  14. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Point taken. Sorry. But tell me I'm wrong for suggesting that Pathfinder loves to make full use of all daylight hours plus a few either side. :)
     
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  15. 30567

    30567 Part of the furniture Friend

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    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.
     
    Last edited: Aug 20, 2018
  16. acorb

    acorb Part of the furniture

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    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.
     
  17. JWKB

    JWKB Member

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    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 ?!?:confused:
     
  18. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    The last timings I saw for steam from Craven Arms to Camarthen were five hours 25 minutes including two water stops totalling 50 minutes. (Steam Dreams in 2013). Assume just one water stop on this trip and you are down to five hours. Provisional times from Craven Arms to Carmarthan and back to Craven Arms suggest ten hours including servicing and turning at Carmarthen. So in answer to your question, I am just doing the maths.
     
  19. Kje7812

    Kje7812 Part of the furniture

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    The SVR have announced that 45231 won't be visiting.
     
  20. LMarsh1987

    LMarsh1987 Part of the furniture Friend

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    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 ?
     

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