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

37605 now rumoured to do the trip in its entirety tomorrow.

 

Well if that is the case there will be a lot of disappointed passengers tomorrow, no longer going to its destination and no steam. I think most of us could have lived with Carmarthen being caped if there had been steam. Not looking good on LSL, especially as they have had an extra 2 months to sort and test the loco.

 

If there is no steam then there is nothing stopping it getting to Carmarthen? A 37 doesn't need to turn on the triangle.

 

Carmarthen was scuppered by engineering works, IIRC.

 

Pathfinder letter states "all day engineering work west of the town (Carmarthen) precludes additional traffic and use of the triangle to turn the steam locomotive".
With no need to turn a steam locomotive then perhaps the destination might be available again - would go a little way to soften the blow at least. Of course all pure speculation!

 

https://m.facebook.com/lnwrheritage/posts/1866163270105302
Statement confirming 45231's failure on Icons of Steam Facebook and Twitter, vague to say the least.

 

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55499/2018/09/22/advanced activated at 14:48 today -- whatever that signifies.

 

Well it all depends on whether the train had been timed originally to Carmarthen and we know we have differing opinions on that one!

 

As it is on this occasion, if a schedule is activated exactly 2 hours before it's due to run, it will be cancelled.

Hoping that I'm proved wrong today or that it's rescheduled for a later run. <BJ>

 

This is what it says:

It is with much regret that we must announce that 45231 The Sherwood Forester will not be available to haul 'The Sugar Loaf Mountaineer' this weekend as planned.

Various problems were identified with the locomotive earlier this year that required rectification and repair before the locomotive was fit to run again.

A huge effort has been put into these problems by our engineering teams at both Southall and Crewe Depots and the locomotive was being worked on by our team right up until last night to try and make the trip happen with 45231 as planned.

Unfortunately however, some of these faults could not be completed in time and after an exhaustive effort we had to admit defeat late last night.

We understand that this will be a huge disappointment to many – ourselves and our hard-working team of engineers and support crew included.

Unbelievable.

Wonder if anyone is going to get in touch with passengers? Pathfinder are out with 60103 to Holyhead today and probably DB's Charter folk are too. anyone got any contacts at Arriva?

 

Certain tours seemed doomed to failure, this one and the Mayflower trip to Felixstowe to name but two recently. Seems whatever somebody does or tries to do, reschedule etc it still conspires against all concerned. Feel very sorry for those booked tomorrow, especially if they have had hotel and travel costs etc.

 

In this instance, I don't think anybody could argue that the A1 Trust's approach to their own dilemma of postponing railtours is more favourable than to what has happened with Icons of Steam.

A question mark was surely always lingering over No. 45231 however, wasn't it's last steaming around the 6 months ago mark? That's a long duration to go with little activity, to then gamble on a railtour with very little evidence of static steam testing let alone test runs.

While 5's can often be depended on for their reliability and ease of maintenance, even for last minute repairs (Ian Riley's duo are a stellar example of this), the duration lends itself to the theory that a large amount of work has been undertaken on the engine at Crewe - therefore a greater chance of niggles to rear their head.

 

The only decent thing to do is to cancel...issue refunds and compensate those who are out of pocket.

 

Grateful for the gen on here. In two minds whether to get up early and drive to Salop for the 37, or save petrol. Can't get there by train.

Appreciate Pathfinder busy with Scotsman today, but surely they should make official announcement on their website and/or issue email re what's happening so folk can make an informed decision?

So my last 3 trips booked for LSL locos all failed FTRs and hopes for steam on 3 consecutive weekends dashed with Tornado out too.

With accomm and connecting trains booked for the Tornado trips its an expensive hobby, with no steam to show for it. Just glad I did those Clan Line trips in June.

 

For those travelling, for once, Twitter was useful. Ashamedly I tweeted Arriva and got the reply:

Arriva Trains Wales‏Verified account @ArrivaTW 11m11 minutes ago
Replying to @GrahamS6024
Hi Graham, unfortunately, it has been cancelled. I am currently awaiting full details so I can broadcast this on twitter ^Jo

 

Oh dear, we have a right hand/left hand situation. The train IS RUNNING with a Class 37 on the front. This from someone involved in the running of it. Hope Arriva do full refunds to all of us who booked on their special steam hauled train.

 

What a farce.

 

ArrivaTW:

"Hi Richard - the Sugar Loaf Mountaineer will definitely be running however it will be diesel operated instead. Thanks ^Mavis"