RTC 2019

With national rail enquiries showing the line as being shut between Crewe and Chester this morning, does anyone know what's going to happen to the "North Wales Coast Express" today? I see the main train is on the move from London, and what I presume to be the Loco + support coach appears to be heading for Crewe.
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U10994/2019-11-08/detailed
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U10995/2019-11-08/detailed
While everything else has been cancelled, I notice that RTT is showing 1D80 as having made it between Crewe and Chester, so perhaps all will be OK?

 

I understand westbound traffic is getting through ok between Crewe and Chester.

 

In almost perfect conditions, The North Wales Coast Express near Alpraham, running about 5 minutes late.



Cheers,

 

Aready at llandudno watering up by looks of R.T.T. is 60103.

 

RTT suggests 60103 only departed Holyhead to turn at 16.02 - 107 late, and only 3 minutes before it was supposed to leave on its return journey. https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U10996/2019-11-08/detailed

 

Just arrived back at Holyhead.

 

Seen near Beeston Castle yesterday. It was lovely and sunny, but very muddy...

 

I thought it had been said that a Whitby trip is a no go due to the service train pattern.

 

Yes the loco release and support coach run round did not go as thought and created a railway version of a three (or four point turn). Hence things were all very late.
From a personal standpoint having cleaned the tables in standard class I got off to get something to eat back on the train and was somewhat miffed to see the train leaving the station behind FS tender first. So ended up eating a sandwich on the platform in the "old station" and missed some rare sidings to visit.
Can not believe how many of the public were out lineside, which included at one point what looked like a complete school out on their playing field. It also gathered a crowd during the water stop at Llandudno Junction , many of whom were locals. It seems the locos popularity is not waning yet.

 

Not the first time this has happened at Holyhead. I think Saphos had similar problems with 46100 back in April.

 

If our passion and love of all things Steam is to survive and continue for future generations - long may it continue I say!

Apologies for the thread drift...

 

It was also interesting on Friday to see the power of what I suppose would be called "Fake News".
When we arrived for the pick up at Litchfield TV there were around 50 or so people on the platform there to see FS. Apparently Birmingham Live, which seems to be an internet service of the Birmingham Mail had a story that FS was hauling the complete trip from Euston and posted the times at Litchfield. What I found surprising was not the fact the article was incorrect, but that when we explained FS was only ever going to haul the tour from Crewe was the obvious belief amongst most that we had no idea what we were talking about, and as it was on the internet it must be true.
I did however feel sorry for those (probably around 30 ) by the time we got back there over an hour late on a cold night, who had been waiting around 90 minutes expecting to see FS.

 

Been away all weekend, but here's one from Friday at Conwy. The vegetation is getting to be a bit of a problem.

 

Haven't seen anything yet about RTC's 'Sussex Christmas Belle' on 26 November. It's a way off yet, but the timings are on RTT and this little anomaly caught my eye - platform 3 at Gatwick Airport is going to be worryingly busy - it's occupied by a reversing GWR Turbo while 45407 passes through!

 

Times up for the Swanage to Bristol trip on December 5 with the Duchess.
Extra hour in bed of the original estimated times.
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U10547/2019-12-05/detailed
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U10551/2019-12-05/detailed

Plus the two ECS moves
Stock down on Wednesday and back after the tour as it will be needed again on the Saturday to go to Lincoln.
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U10545/2019-12-04/detailed
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U10553/2019-12-05/detailed

 

Presumably with a DL on the back throughout?

Interesting ECS path on 4th. 6233 on the front until reversal at Soton?

 

Also worth noting that 6233 comes off at Southampton Central on the return and returns to Southall straight away.

James

 

Missed that was expecting it to be Salisbury as other years, did not bother to investigate the LE move.