RTC Slough-Shrewsbury with 60009 - now 44871: 23/11/19

Timings have appeared for this one, outward:

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U10520/2019-11-23/detailed

and return:

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U10525/2019-11-23/detailed

Unusually, the ECS seems to be going to and from Crewe:

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U10521/2019-11-23/detailed

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U10524/2019-11-23/detailed

I wonder if this may be due to Tornado on a Pathfinder trip also being due into Shrewsbury at roughly the same time?

Does anyone have any thoughts on whether 60009 will run without assistance? Thanks.

 

Missed this one - must of been blinded at the time by the other RTC tour (originally Newcastle now curtailed to York). On the face of it looks a great route - but do wonder given the time of year - you would expect a rear gunner. Either way fingers crossed for all concerned that it's a good trip.

 

Never been a tailgunner on the many late November trains over the Marches unless there's been a pickup at Abergavenny. But the ECS movements at Shrewsbury imply there's going to be a diesel to turn the train and then tow it to Crewe as 60009 will be facing south. Will check with Kelly tomorrow.

 

Glad it seems to be broadly doing what it says on the tin, as the itinerary is probably a more complex ask than it might seem. So, looks like a solid day out and possibly the highest mileage in one day behind the same locomotive for quite a few years.

 

The ECS moves at Shrewsbury doesn't necessarily need a diesel. All the train is doing is drawing out of P4 as far as Crewe Jn Box on the Chester Road to let the Fishguard Harbour Service in. Then it sets back (propels?) into the platform and departs for Crewe, though the second reverse in P4 looks odd unless its to clear a signal. Path to Crewe is 60 mph. Anyone care to interpret the Crewe moves? It looks as if the stock stays in P12. There's a 5Z79 to the Heritage Centre which must be No.9 for servicing; then an 0Z79 into the UDL. Bit of a disconnect then between the UDL and P12 before the train returns to Shrewsbury as 5Z80.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U10521/2019-11-23/detailed
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U10522/2019-11-23/detailed
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U10523/2019-11-23/detailed
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U10524/2019-11-23/detailed

 

Will be on the lookout for you as you flash through Tilehurst then! Should still have the regulator open unless you're switched to relief at Tilehurst East Junction.

 

I am no expert on Crewe, it always confuses me but I think one of the moves replicates this which turned FS last evening.
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U10998/2019-11-08/detailed

 

2010 and 2011 Tornado and 6024 worked the 2 trains to Ludlow and Salop - about 1 hour apart. Both trains worked ECS into Coton Hill Yard. Locos turned separately at the South end of the station and then coaled and watered in Coton Hill yard. Movements through the station were quite tight fitting between service trains. I guess Coton Hill Yard has been 'shrunk' since those days. No diesels involved. Happy days!

 

Is no. 9 better now? If she isn't, what is/are the substitutes? Thanks to anyone who can tell me.

 

Tickets have just arrived. No9 with 11 on is booked. Can only assume from that No9 is better...

Andrew

 

Had my eye on this tour for a while, taken the gamble on 9’s availability and booked. Good value for steam miles, route and NR seem to have given a good path! Everything crossed for the A4’s availability...

 

Time to cross fingers as heard on the Christmas Cheshireman last Saturday that if it was No.9 there would be a diesel on the rear. The Autumn Load for Panteg (106r/95r) and Llanvihangel Northbound (85r/82r/95r) is load 9 for a Class 8 in the autumn. Hope WCR will take the risk of not adding one, but there's also the ECS from Shrewsbury to Crewe and return to factor in. Not optimistic for a 'proper train'.

 

I am surprised there is not one these in the programme next year April onwards, an interesting route, high steam mileage and 2 possible destinations.RTC only seem to go to some destinationa at Christmas, another is Lincoln, I not sure why but I am sure they both would be sell.

 

Had it confirmed that there's a diesel on the back of this train. Just booked onto Pathfinder's Marches and Severn with 60163 to get proper steam to Shrewsbury. Expensive day out. 2 seats on both!!

 

Firstly this is an observation, not aimed at your good self.

Herein lies the 'cannot win' for tour operators, to operate this train without assistance would be two coaches over the agreed load boundaries (does the 11 include POB), therefore would be a massive risk for WCRC to run without. If they were to do so, and the worst happened ala Britannia the other week, there would then be pages of criticism (often from those who were suggesting that a risk should be taken) saying that the TOC were being irresponsible and putting steam at risk on the mainline.

They simply cannot win.

 

Where is No 9 at the moment is it at Southall as I can see no paths for anything arriving there this week. Not to say of course that one could not be created quickly.

 

I believe it is at Southall. Shame about the diesel being added on the back of this. Like others on this forum I am a purist in these matters and prefer to avoid diesel assisted trains wherever possible. I was thinking of booking on this but didn't as I wasn't keen on 6 hours travel in the dark on the way back. Welsh Marches is a great route but really needs to be done both ways in the daylight. Last time I did it was with Tornado several years ago (a Steam Dreams trip). Excellent trip - I think it was in May as it didn't get dark till we were at Swindon on the way back. I too would like to see either this or the Bristol to Chester run repeated in the Summer months.

 

60163 was probably 12th May 2012. And agree. A Spring and Summer Cheshireman would be seriously good.