Waverley - 2019

I think that's right. Wasn't there a fracas last year or the year before when they had to detach two coaches at York, the NRM's limit at that time being 11?

 

Yes, that sounds familiar, causing a late departure I seem to remember.

 

Some kind weather for the return leg at Wharton Dikes, just south of Kirkby Stephen.

 

Very nice

 

I was under the impression that the NRM were determined to adhere to the recommendations made by Bob Meanley in his report. I wonder what changed?

 

Who knows. They aren't NRM operated trains so I doubt they get more income for longer trains and more passengers. Guess any additional risk rests with My Riley and if he's happy...

 

60103 at Smardale

 

I was always of the belief that the eleven coach limit was somewhat conservative particularly if the engine was in exemplary condition and was being well looked after. The more so with 61994 regularly loading to twelve. Ian Riley has the contract to operate and maintain the engine but as to how much freedom they have over and above the guidelines that the museum originally was so rigid about, well it does appear that they have some. Thankfully.

 

It always looked as if the Museum went down the 'no strain on the locomotive' route. As the S&C has no 'significant' gradients, i.e. in excess of 1in100, the Industry Guidelines for steam train lengths and loads allows 60103 12 coaches.

 

Reading through the report again it appears that the Museum decided on a method of operation in part as a reaction to the findings with a view to balancing the need for exposure and the need to try to manage future costs. Which is sensible enough in the circumstances, though as iancawthorne pointed out, it is a little odd that the engine hauled trains below its actual permitted capacity, particularly with the need to have the best cash flow with an eye on the future. All engine owners, be they individuals or groups, have to find the best way to keep their charges. Sometimes they are running at others they are under various degrees of repair. We should be grateful because without them and their efforts and commitment these pages would be empty.

 

I'm going off memory, but I thought the S&C was mentioned in the report as an example of a strenuous route compared to York - Scarborough (my example). So the loading limit of 11 with no assistance makes sense in that respect.

The first year of Waverley's where the S&C was shut and they went Tyne Valley line, these were all load 12. The climb out of Carlisle to just beyond Narworth is not exactly flat. We've seen 46115 slip to a stand in Cowran Cutting (admittedly in leaf fall season). It seemed odd 12 was ok for the Tyne Valley but not for the S&C in this respect.

 

Just received an email from RYTC saying Bahamas is hauling the Waverley on August 18th

 

Going back a few weeks, but here's a pacing sequence of 60103 on the 7th July southbound working:

 

Thanks very much Ralph and Al, glad you enjoyed it so much.

 

Brilliant camera work, editing...and driving! Great stuff, David!!

 

Thanks very much, David - very much appreciated

 

Great train movie filming whilst driving your car and nice steady camera focus great filming of the con rods and valve gear moving whilst 60103 going at speed good bit of driving keeping upto soctsman on the yorks dales country roads linesider.