Lakelander 14/8/19 (Saphos Trains)

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54554/2019/08/14/advanced

Only 2 minutes at Sellafield now. 11 minutes at Millom. Will that be a quick water stop? Nothing until Preston after that.

 

Have seen many a diesel path on the CC between Carlisle and Crewe running no quicker (although just under 5 hours was generally about the fastest on a good day) so the point to point times are fitting for a 75mph steam loco with at least one drink en route presumably. The old return schedule was almost OKish (if you forget that it was getting back way too late compared to the requested path) but even 45231 would have managed it as it had more water stop potential as well as a bit of padding. With the weather likely to be very wet on Wednesday 4 hours may have been a bit much for a Carlisle layover (although an hour is tight for all the necessary ops stuff and those wanting a sit down meal). In Prem it's a late lunch vice early evening dinner now then.

Personally I'd say the quicker way of turning the steam with the least shunting in just one hour, with a drink etc en route, is if there is diesel is at Carlisle and dropped straight onto the rear and the full set turned via the south end then detach off rear in the platform upon returning. Obviously would mean one end was at the back all day again. Stock/kitchen water in platform 3 vice Kingmoor albeit not much time for that if the set turned in that fashion. Alternative is the set has about 30 mins on Kingmoor with the diesel while the steam does the usual but a few more running round/shunting moves to do and less rest time.

Anyway. Hope the new times mean a few of you enjoy yourselves a bit more now!

 

Anyone know if the Brit has passed her FTR for tomorrow?

 

70000 'Britannia' dep Crewe 5 mins late at 07:52 en route to Carlisle (had to await the nuclear flask departure to Valley).

11 coaches today, 6 Mk.1s at the front. No diesel. <BJ>

 

47.593 now at Grayrigg en route to Carlisle to assist with the ECS moves.

Well done to Saphos. The diesel could so easily have been tagged to the rear of the charter.

5Z70 ECS moves: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54556/2019/08/14/advanced

 

Wot no breakfast in bed?

 

Passing Brock northbound.

 

I s'pose thats the million dollar question, Saphos Trains are cheaper and also seem to be able to absorb the costs of additional locomotive movements etc, the question has to be why cannot the other promoters do likewise, although there seems to be no evidence of them making enormous margins either?

 

This looks to be a very good run. According to RTT, Britannia managed to knock 8 mins off the schedule from the Barton stop to Grayrigg (51 mins scheduled, 43 mins actual). Quite an achievement. <BJ> http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54553/2019/08/14/advanced

 

I guess it all being "in house" will make a fair difference. WCRC in house operations are probably comparable?

 

From what's been said we were just unlucky on the 2nd and 3rd Welsh Marches that there were points and crossover issues in the vicinity of Crewe P12. The intention was to run all 3 like the first one with Braunton. Having to use the Brit as Braunton needed work done after it's sojourn down south only required extra water stops and they were easily factored in to the running times. Crewe to Cardiff is no further than Crewe to Carlisle and there are paths (and loops down the Marches) that should enable LE moves. Not the WCML though as not much of the route is rated over 80mph.

 

Just what I was thinking. How to make a small fortune out of running steam trains?......

I've never really understood why the difference between in house and out of house is as big as it is.

Be that as it may and back on thread, 65 mins Carnforth to Carlisle with a stop at Grayrigg, even allowing for the benefit of passing Carnforth at speed, is tremendous isn't it? 6.75 mins up Shap probably in wet conditions with 11 on makes me think that what the Brit did at Llanvihangel with 13 the other day was real, not boosted from behind.

 

Easy schedule? Left Carlisle 3 down, seen passing Dalston 2 early - all in about 5 miles

 

Footage of 70000 making easy work of the West Coast Main Line in the rain this morning at Coppull Moor, Holme and approaching Shap Summit.

 

Lovely day for it, suspect I will be popping out solo rather than getting the 6 year old soaking wet!

 

I would guess because it is only one profit rather than one for the loco, one for the stock, another for the crew etc etc.
Some costs are fixed NR charges for example others may be absorbed (LE move) as a loss leader to build up the business the same as reduced rate tickets.

 

Looks like the whole train was turned at Carlisle. mk1's at the front both ways.