Vintage Trains 7029 to Llandudno 04/05/19

Loving all the speculation!

- 4th May to Llandudno we used the VT set of coaches because the Riviera stock was behind Tornado to Hollyhead. The VT set has limited dining capacity (72 seats) hence why we are borrowing Riviera's coaches whenever possible.
- When running a Class 47 in vacuum mode on the rear of a train, it must be in 'notch 1' in the direction of travel. I am told that left to it's own devices, 'notch 1' will propel a LE Class 47 to about 30mph on straight and level track.
- We will run with the Class 47 whenever it is required for any reason. If it is not required, it will be omitted from the consist, which incidentally will save us several thousand pounds. It may be of interest that the Oxford 175 Luncheon Circular dated 15th June is planned to run without diesel assistance, unless situations (fire risk for example) dictate otherwise.
- The steam driver/operations manager on the footplate and the diesel driver communicate via radio. the diesel is available to assist whenever requested by the footplate.
- Diesel assistance is required for Birmingham New Street.

If people do not want to travel with us due to a diesel on the back or the heads out of windows enforcement, then we are sorry you choose to do so. We are not going to add additional risk of any sort to an operation to pander a few individuals who are unable to see the larger picture. Sorry to be harsh, but that is the way it is.

Thank you for all the terrific photos, despite the changeable weather we have been experiencing. Can I request one of Clun crossing Frampton viaduct next week please?

 

Sadly I think the viaduct is now hidden behind trees these days. I intend to catch her somewhere on the way up to Sapperton though!

 

Many thanks Ben. That Oxford175 circular over the Great Western and Chiltern mainlines looks fantastic, I'll definitely be booking on that within the next day or two.

 

Second that.

 

Ben, thanks - exemplary communication there and much appreciated. Hoping to book on the Oxford 175 Luncheon Circular shortly.

If I may query your statement that "When running a Class 47 in vacuum mode on the rear of a train, it must be in 'notch 1' in the direction of travel.", perhaps something has changed but this was definitely (and thankfully) not the case on the return leg of the epic 'Pride of Swindon' tour in October 2010, hauled by 5043, and on which I was passenger. As the late Mike Notley (who was in the leading cab of the Class 47 on the rear of the train) reported:

"As we left platform 3 at Carlisle shortly after 3 o'clock, the diesel's power controller was in the OFF position and there it stayed until we reached Hellifield."

On the climb to Ais Gill summit with 503 tons on the drawhook, Mike calculated the edhp reached an amazing 2030, probably a figure without precedent for a Castle class loco.

Nick