S&C Pathfinder Charter - Aug 2018: Now 16/3/19 and with 60163

Pathfinder have now announced details of the 16th March Cumbrian Mountaineer outing that was/ is intended as some sort of replacement for the foiled GE2 excursion. And despite initial indications, it seems it is going to be a rather different outing in several important respects, based on what has been announced so far.

Joining stations will be on a South Wales/ Marches axis rather than Thames Valley/ West Midlands as originally planned. Routing over the Northern Hills will be clockwise Shap/ S&C/ Wilpshire instead of anti-clockwise via the Long Drag. And crucially what was planned to be a Crewe-Carlisle-Crewe steam leg has been heavily curtailed, with No. 9 rostered only from Carlisle (so no A4-over-Shap opportunity). I’m assuming, although the truncated tour description on the Pathfinder website doesn’t specifically confirm, that No.9 will at least go forward to Crewe.

All somewhat disappointing from a personal point of view, but I can see some logic in a Carlisle start if No. 9 remains there following its proposed haulage of the York-Carlisle leg of UKRT’s S&C outing on the previous Saturday. And arguably S&C southbound plus Wilpshire is probably on balance a more attractive offering for those interested in recording locomotive performance than the anti-clockwise routing.

I guess all this will be good news if, say, you happen to be based in the catchment area of a joining station like, say, Abergavenny; and if, say, you happened to be a seasoned recorder of locomotive performance who will value the opportunity to enjoy one last blast over Ais Gill with this particular A4 (I don’t think there will be any other such opportunities with any other classmate anytime soon).

I’m sure that there will be tour participants who will match just such a profile. And on this basis, if I can’t deal with the logistics problems and cost penalties that the new itinerary poses, than all I can hope is that we get some sort of decent feedback on the day. Please!!

 

This tour as originally advertised appealed to me in several respects: Tornado with perhaps (as appeared at the time) a possibility of 90 mph running on the WCML; anticlockwise for a change; and the Upperby curve instead of spending time in Carlisle. None of those apply to what is now advertised for next March, so I won't be booking.

 

Maybe Pathfinder could use WCR? they regularly run steam on WCML and S&C.

 

Won't be from me. Crewe-Shap-Carlisle-S&C-Crewe for £125 yes; but not just Carlisle-S&C-Crewe for £125.

 

OK, pity about that, but certainly can't argue with the logic. And especially not when 410 miles of York-Edinburgh-York itinerary with No.9 is on offer the following weekend for £109 pounds (RTC). Not sure what main line opportunities to travel with UoSA will exist after that particular outing - next up , I gather, is a one-week stint at the NYMR at the beginning of April, but after that??

 

It’s listed as a loco rostered on GBXII. But we digress off topic...

 

Whilst this trip may not be to everyone’s taste, some may wish to book. I have a letter from Pathfinder saying as a passenger on the cancelled “golden express” I would be informed of the details of No9’s trip before it went on general sale and would receive a 10% discount - sadly I have heard nothing, I feel a phone call coming on.

 

Spoke to a man at Pathfinder, UoSA hauls to Crewe. I got 10% off, it may be my last chance for a ride behind JC’s elegant machine; I note what has been said about miles/£ but I didn’t fancy another winter drive across the Pennines, we already on the Auld Reekie - we hope!

 

The Pathfinder Newsletter sent out today says it is steam from Crewe

 

To my mind, there has to be some doubt about the intention to start UoSA from Crewe based on what has been published so far.

My doubts/ suspicions are based on the way that the copy is worded - its all believable (however disappointing) if the word Carlisle is substituted into the sentence that reads "the steam engine will take over at Crewe after a two hour break" because the next thing the words describe is " With majesty of steam (expected to be No.9 A4 Pacific No. 60009 Union of South Africa) at the front end, the train sets off into the Eden Valley to Appleby for a 30 minute water stop".

Question - would you really feel is would be worth Pathfinder talking about a two-hour break at Crewe for a locomotive change? Its more like the kind of words that are typically used to forewarn the need to kill time constructively in Carlisle. And would you really ignore or omit to describe the massive appeal of a last chance (perhaps) to enjoy an A4 run down the WCML.

We'll see. I would love to be proved wrong on this. Pathfinder prefaced their piece in Newsletter 156 yesterday with the words "Updated Information", so maybe something really has changed. And if it has changed and there is any chance of an A4 run at Shap, then I will seriously consider booking.

OTW's post above reports Pathfinder confirmation that UoSA will be hauling to Crewe. So the Next Step is a call A.S.A.P. to Pathfinder to get a "Belts and Braces" statement that will clear up any doubts and ambiguities in the hope that we might look forward confidently to a Crewe-Carlisle-Crewe itinerary - but I'm not holding my breath.......

 

The Saturday before, 60009 is running a tour for UK Railtours to Carlisle from York, so I’m guessing she’ll be staying at Carlisle for a week

 

Have been looking at the times which are on rtt already. Looks like number 9 is hauling the Carlisle via S&C to Crewe leg only.
There is only a few minutes at Crewe on the outward leg plus the previous weeks train would appear to be York to Carlisle only with onward diesel haulage via Hexham. Suppose things can change with a month to go.....

 

It's a southbound run only. The latest from Pathfinder:
''After a diesel-hauled run from the south over Shap Summit we break at Carlisle (1155 to 1415).
Here the steam locomotive takes over (expected to be A4 Pacific No. 60009 Union of South Africa)''. <BJ>

 

Yes, I think you're right. Quite a late arrival in Carlisle (no Appleby stop), with only an hour before it goes off along the Tyne Valley with no stops for water anywhere that I can see.
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55259/2019/03/09/advanced
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55260/2019/03/09/advanced

 

Looking a bit doubtful now, this saturdays train is cancelled due to No 9 requiring new piston rings and new valve rings, would appear that the next appearance could be up at the NYMR.

 

Do you know if No.9 has been granted a boiler ticket extension??

 

Update from the official facebook page for No 9 - Unfortunately No 9 will not be available to work its booked tours on the 9th and 16th of March due to ongoing winter maintenance,we are taking the opportunity to carry out while the boiler is being examined and tested All being well No 9 will be back for its planned visit to the NYMR and mainline trips thereafter.