Long Term Steam Routes

On the subject of turntables, did Mallaig ever get it's put in?

 

Sadly not. Jacobite still involves tender first running in one direction as turning facilities are only available at the Fort William end.

 

Is there space for a turntable at Mallaig?

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@57.0050348,-5.830309,197m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en

 

Yes

 

It's over three years since the Tornado Plandampf on the S&C, and at the time there was a lot of chat about repeating it. Was there any progress that I've missed?

 

I remember in 1980 s days ,Ian Allen who had a page, most months, in one of his magazines ,Railway World suggested that a steam age water crane should be put in at Banbury, at the end of the platforms to speed up watering of The Shakespeare Express that ran from Marylebone to Stratford ,most Sundays at that time. Mr Ward BR Inter City manager who's unit was responsible for operating steam specials over BR ,replied +Would Ian Allen Publishing be prepared to fund his suggestion ,as his magazines must sell quite a number of copies to interest people.+ .Now there a thought magazines helping out with funding, because someone's got to pay however done.

 

I seem to recall it was suggested that WCRC would be required to pay for every time the turntables were used, with a predictable response from Mr.Smith, which is one of the reasons why the Mallaig turntable was not installed.

 

There is no operational need to have locos running chimney first in both directions on the Jacobite.
The maximum line speed means that 45mph max tender first doesn’t affect timings.

if I may be so bold? as to suggest, if anyone is that bothered about putting in a turntable at Mallaig, they have a very big whip round to pay for it.

 

There is another problem, the turntable at Fort William is located in an awkward position approached on a very sharp curve so I don’t think WC or the crew would be happy with accessing it every day. I think I remember that it’s siting was one of the objections Mr Smith had about it when it was installed. Why it wasn’t located at the depot I can’t understand as there seems to be plenty of room for it. So an even bigger whip round would be needed to get it relocated

 

I've noticed that Fort William-Mallaig (the regular Jacobite service), Battersby to Whitby and Cromer to Sheringham (which have an agreement for heritage railways to run steam) all are the end sections of routes where a reversal is required.

I was wondering if this is just coincidence, or whether there is an operational advantage.

Looking at the NR map for any other examples, I don't think Morecambe to Heysham harbour would have much appeal, but Bere Alston to Gunnislake might be interesting. Are there any other possibilities, and would Hull to Scarborough qualify?

 

Maybe on Sundays (at least, when the PW dept haven't got first dibs on the line!), but the LCs on the Shoreham-Portslade section are already a massive pain in the bum for local road traffic and I honestly doubt too many suitable paths exist Mon-Sat daytimes .... more's the pity. Apparently, 35028 has put in the odd appearance, on runs via BML, Cliftonville Spur and on to Chichester, but the last steam I saw myself down here was Taw Valley, ex-LB, which caught everyone on the hop, mayor and silver band included, by turing up at Brighton's platform 3 about 12mins early .... apparently it was running well and a path was there!

I'm surprised nobody's mentioned the Cambrian Coast Line. High time that signalling issue got sorted, IMO

 

You would need TWO turntables for starters: Aberystwyth and Pwllheli. Then make sure some 'Manors', Moguls and Standard 4s are available ( and a certain 'Dukedog'...) and can fit safely. Then get the ERTMS kit sorted.

 

It does seem like something of a no brainer bar the massive issue of the signalling - considering the critical mass of i) railways but not standard gauge in the area - so a strong market ii) the attractiveness of the route(s) and the capacity on the route. (there are loops at Tywyn, Barmouth, Harlech, Portmadog so it should be possible to fit in the between the service patterns).

Would that be necessary? It wasn't previously. Do they turn locos at Mallaig?

 

I love the tender-first return to Fort William, I usually get a good recording of a hard-working Loco, with mic out of the first window, next to the smokebox!

Richard.

 

There wouldn't be much point in having turntables at Aberystwyth and Pwllheli as you'd still be tender first in one direction after reversing at Machynlleth.
Ray.

 

Wouldn’t be a problem with a Large or Small Prairie, 80000 or 82000 tank would it? (I can dream)

 

Dead right.
It's been a few years, hasn't it. I've just looked at a copy of the EWS Log for 19/8/2009, concerning the failure of 37670 (a route learning trip) at Machynlleth and its recovery to the Depot by the 'West Coast Cambrian Express Steamer'. (Guess why I kept that log!) I've never seen a picture of that moment, I think the engine was 76076.
On a more serious note it's ridiculous that Network Rail has to tow track machines to / from the Cambrian because it's own kit isn't properly equipped.
Pat

 

76079 the pocket rocket, since left for the north.

 

Thanks for that. The one detail that Control missed!
Pat

 

Back in the 80s they did some trips there were various ones but as I recall it was one loco one way and another loco the way back.

I have a hazy memory of Shrewsbury (?) to Barmouth or Tywyn (I think Barmouth) which gave you Talerddig and I think I did Machynlleth to Pwllhei. 7819 was the loco one way and a BR std the other way. (I may well be wrong on this)