Saphos Trains Pennine Moors Christmas Explorer: 8/12/18

I've today received my travel documents for this one, and see the times are up on RTT...

Outbound http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54710/2018/12/08/advanced

Return http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54711/2018/12/08/advanced

I'm hoping for Braunton, which I've not been behind, but expecting the Scot or possibly 70000 as the latter has had a couple of test runs.

Any thoughts?

 

Opposite way round to that advertised isn’t it?

 

Well spotted sir!

I'm not familiar with this iconic route, so does this mean less dramatic climbs, eg Copy Pit?

 

I'm sure I read somewhere that they plan to use 70000, 46100 lacked wheels in a post a few weeks ago. I also hope for 34046 but I think I'm going to be unlucky...

Andrew

 

Not really, the eastbound climb is more or less the same.

 

Looks a decent tour would be ideal for a black un if only Saphos had access to an available one..

 

Thanks for that. At least we get one decent ascent then.

I'd been looking forward to the climb out of Manchester Victoria up Miles Platting bank, having seen many superb videos taken on this stretch. Rather disappointing that we miss out on that. Are there any similar ones in the reverse direction?

 

Afraid not. Apart from Copy Pit, there is the climb out of Wigan to Boars Head which is about 2 miles at 1 in 104 and from Bamber Bridge up through Hoghton, about 4 miles at 1 in 99 / 1 in 100.

 

I wonder if the timings on RTT are simply Network Rail's first offering to Saphos?

Saphos are still showing the original itinerary, with the ascent from Man Vic as one of the selling points of the tour, so maybe they are holding out for what they want.

On the other hand, why would they send out the confirmed timings and travel documents if they are still negotiating?

Time will tell, I guess.

 

45231's having air brakes fitted so hopefully a black 5 will be working trains for Saphos at some point in 2019.

 

No chance of it being Royal Scot as that's got no wheel-sets and is also undergoing winter maintenance, Britannia I'm told will be working the trains as she needs to get back into her stride after being off the mainline out of action for such a long time. The trip just before this which goes via Chester, Shrewsbury & Stafford I'm going to be on-board.

 

Saphos have told me the reason for the reversal of the route from that advertised is because of gauging issues.