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

Saw 45231 on the back of a lorry heading north on the M40 last night. Not sure where it was coming from but presume it was heading for Crewe.

 

Class 60, 66 or 67?

 

Was having a chat with my dad about this one, only loco we could think of would be Braunton? But would it fit? But when a Scot has gone to Blaenau Ffestiniog anything is surely possible!

 

We're now quite close - I cannot find out if this trip is REALLY running - deliberate capitals - and if so what the motive power will be - I'd love to do this line behind steam before it's too late but am reluctant to throw the money away. Anyone got any facts? (and apologies if I've missed something along the way)

 

I wouldn't actually mind if I got postponed again. I'm doing the SVR Autumn gala on the Friday and the 60103 trip to Holyhead on the Saturday, so it will already be a busy few days.

 

We were assured at Taunton on yesterday's TBE that the train is definitely going to run and be steam hauled. The issues with '231 aren't major ones and there was a high level of confidence that it would be fit to run. Odds are on a Crewe-Chester shakedown on the Friday or Saturday. The path is pretty much as in the provisional timings with an hour at Llandovery for "ceremonial purposes" and as short a turnaround as possible at Carmarthen, an hour and a quarter or so. The train has priority and service trains will be 'eased' to accommodate it. The information came from an extremely reliable source in DBC directly involved with the timings and arrangements for the day. It's expected that LSL's Fred Lewis will be the driver for the day with Gareth Jones as TI, possibly on his final train as TI. Don't ask what will happen if the 5 isn't fit to run as I don't think there's a definitive answer to that...other than no-one wants it to run other than steam hauled.

 

Thanks for the update Mr Shireman

 

Appreciate the update.

 

So this sounds like they're throwing all their eggs in the Black Five basket, as there's no other steam traction that can run this route ! If the test runs are left to next week, it doesn't leave a lot of time for possible repairs if any issues arise, especially if a loaded test run takes place on the Friday or Saturday ! Hopefully there's nothing silver on the front after Shrewsbury !

 

I've heard a suggestion that the train will only go as far as Llandovery. I guess that means the loco will turn on the triangle at Pontardulais. All the usual caveats apply, of course, but this source has been right several times in the past, and it might explain how this particular quart will be squeezed into a pint pot

 

That's where the real climb to Sugar Loaf starts IIRC.

 

Is there much in Llandovery? Looks quiet when looking at Google maps ?

 

There's not an awful lot, enough pubs to occupy yourself (assuming they're open on a Sunday!) and a castle. There's more to do than somewhere like Par!

 

Probably not much more than Llandrindod Wells on a Saturday afternoon when no one has told the tourist office a charter is stopping for a couple of hours and most of the shops and eateries close at lunchtime. I would guess that unlike Llandrindod Wells it does not have a Morrisons as a place of last resort.

 

If the loco is going to turn somewhere short of Carmarthen, that can surely only be at Hendy/Morlais Junctions. If it goes that far is there any reason not to take the whole train to Llanelli, unload the passengers there, and propel into the sidings just east of the station?

 

Quite a bit I understand the station has an event on to celebrate 150 years to tie in with the special. The station also has a cafe and a model club. That is it though not much else for tourist to do in town

 

Seeing Steamage's post and been browsing and found this on the NR Future Engineering Works page:

Engineering work is taking place between Carmarthen and Pembroke Dock / Milford Haven / Fishguard Harbour on Sunday, closing all lines.

The line out of Carmarthen to Whitland is one of the sides of the triangle so there will be nowhere to turn the locomotive there.

 

Sounds like a plan - and one is needed now. Guess it will depend on what control will allow. Sounds like midnight oil burning time.