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

Times are now online.

Outward: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55475/2018/09/23/advanced
Return: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55474/2018/09/23/advanced

James

 

A feeling of mixed emotions on this one. Would have loved the track, but having spent a fair chunk of my life living in the area, I'm not sure Bynea is the best compromise in the bag. So, glad I'm off to the States instead. Give my regards to whatever flakes of metal remain from 34065, which I understand was scrapped at Bird's.

 

I know a lot don't do Facebook, but an image posted a couple of hours ago appears to show that 45231 was moving around the yard under her own steam today

 

Good news to a certain degree, now it all comes down to the test runs !

 

Train returns back from the junction through Bynea to Pontardulais to turn via Grovesend and thence back through Bynea to the junction to water, presumably lead by the trailing diesel on these legs.

 

Trailing diesel? I thought the diesel was coming off at Shrewsbury and waiting for us there. The whole point of this trip, and the reason why it was re-scheduled from July, was that it's supposed to be un-assisted steam along the Central Wales line.

 

I did wonder how this turning movement would be achieved, but as Wayne has told us before DBC do not do trailing diesels under power so is the Black 5 dragging a diesel all the way from & to Shrewsbury under this theory? That is about the weight of 3 Mk1's I think.

 

Are you sure about that? I would expect the turning move from Llandeilo Jct via Morlais and Hendy to be for the locomotive only. As far as I'm aware there is no trailing diesel unless the plan has changed in the last few days.

 

If they still use it surely DB will send a diesel down from Margam Yard.

 

The first Cardiff-Manchester doesn't get to Craven Arms before the Mountaineer leaves. ATW implied it would link in with the train. So even South Wales/Hereford folk will have to drive to Shrewsbury or do an overnighter.

 

Diesel on the rear seems improbable because the steam loco is vac brake only and DBC locos are air brake only. Unless an LSL 47 is dual braked and used by DBC?

 

I suspect some folk at DBC would be having a real chuckle at this thread if they read it!

 

Maybe, but speculation is only the product of absent information which isn't all that funny, is it?

 

Looks like LSL's morning run to Chester is off

There is a path now on Saturday however I assume for the loco move to Shrewsbury.

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55475/2018/09/23/advanced

 

There should be no diesel attached t

There's also paths in place for tomorrow.

 

ECS probably stabled at Llandeilo Junction Yd. Loco only back to Pontardulais to turn ?

 

DBC can and do operate vacuum braked trains, as long as there is a vac brake diesel available nearby for rescue. We may well see more vac braked working by DBC in the future. Vac braking is still on their safety case.

 

Indeed, the train on Sunday is vac braked. The point I was raising is that the DBC fleet is exclusively air braked so access to a vac fitted diesel has presumably been arranged from a third party? Perhaps VTs 47, if LSLs aren't dual fitted?

 

Looking at the track layout they will surely go directly to Llandeilo sidings from Binea; detach the loco and send it for turning light engine. No need for s diesel to be involved. Had this confirmed by a man who really does know.