Chester - Blaenau Ffestiniog: 3/08/19

Info from http://www.conwyvalleyrailway.co.uk...QlGhOiMWlNl0bw9OGYQiSkt7mn7avx9-9GvCtbrcV8tAM

 

Diesel hauled between Llandudno Jn and Blaenau presumably

 

Unlikely! Normally tender first Chester - Llandudno Jcn, where the loco runs round to head for Blaenau. So I'd guess similar for this.

 

Ironic that the line is reopening, according to the press release, a day after the annual RTC trip was scheduled. Still pleased to see some good news for a piece of line I have yet to travel by any form of traction.

 

Driven by Mr Kelly.

Is it a West Coast job Ralph? I had been thinking 45231 from the competition.

 

But 3rd August already sees LSL doing the Irish Mail for UK railtours (assuming that's still on).

 

UKR Irish Mail definitely on. UKR sent me an email today offering me a discount!

Also timings are out : http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55362/2019/08/03/advanced

and return : http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55363/2019/08/03/advanced

 

When N.R. relaid track on the blaenau ffestiniog line after repairing the flood damaged trackbed did they put the bullhead lines back down or new longwelded track down cos its one of very few lines of what i know ive travelled on the main line steam tours with bull head rail still intact if so.

 

LSL had a class 40 scheduled to run there last October but it got diverted into Llandudno as the line was under water for a change. There is every chance they have at least 1 ex DRS charter link driver who signed it although with a lot of DB hiring in still going on its hard to say 100% who was rostered that day had it gone through to BF.

 

It is a WCR-operated job.

JS

 

Well, it seems to be 46115 and 48151 T and T subject to a satisfactory test run for the Scot! See the Railway Herald tours page.

 

The tours page is free on line. That and the new site RailAdvent seem to be the best info sources in the regrettable absence for the moment of UK Steam.

 

Not quite - 48151 and 46115 are double-heading. Details here: https://tfwrail.wales/the-conwy-quest

Good value for money, I'd say, so I've booked onto it. Also gives me an excuse for a run on Gerald the evening beforehand to Chester, and a chance to sample VT's Shakespeare Express on the Sunday, too.

 

RailAdvent throws up a trojan alert on Malwarebytes for me.

 

Think it's Bahamas on the Shakespeare Express on Sunday 4th, to continue the LMS theme..

 

Any news on timings for this train (beyond the meagre details on TfW)? The links posted last week are now dead and there are no STP workings on the line on RTT. Also for the "Irish Mail" on the same day?
I'm thinking of going up there (maybe travel on this one), but I'd really like to see both trains. Also, the National Eisteddfod is on at Lanrwst and TfW barely have enough trains to meet normal times !

 

Actually there's a few questions. Will it really be leaving from platform 4 at Chester at 0934? Looking at RTT, somehow I don't think so.

How will the stock be getting to Chester given the Warrington block? Via Manchester I suppose.

Anyway I've taken a punt on NR and WCR working it all out between now and Saturday.