Saphos Trains 2020

Times now out for the White Rose, March 7....
Out.. https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U10647/2020-03-07/detailed
Return.. https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U10653/2020-03-07/detailed

 

With the landslip at Weaver Jnc / Dutton Viaduct, things may be tricky for this one

 

I’d imagine being on the WCML, Network Rail will have this down as a high priority job. One to keep an eye on, but would guess it’ll be a quick recovery.

 

Up line shut at present and various overnight closures it seems, to try and get it fixed. 250 tonnes of stone to be dropped tonight. Apparently the biggest worry, as well as the embankment falling away, is one of the OHL masts is a bit precarious.

 

Southbound line closed for several days says Tim Shoveller. Some trains on the single track, others diverted via Chat Moss.

 

Anyone know whether 70000 "Britannia" still has it's blinged up Smoke box which was done for the Golden Arrow trip back in October? Thanks in advance

 

No doubt their 47 will be coming along, again ! It's starting to look like Saphos won't go anywhere without it after their confidence knock on the Golden Arrow !

 

Not strictly true - none of the three Shrewsbury circuits with 45231 and 46100 took the diesel along and the latter ran with the full set used on the train the following weekend. I'd assume it depends on the risk or operational need, the Holyhead train could have been a disaster without the diesel.

 

Those were circular test runs, the ecs move/diesel leg is straight in and straight out of Shrewsbury, so I guess it's top and tail 47's and I can't see LSL dropping both off at Crewe. Be nice if I was wrong but I just can't see it happening.

 

Thought you were pro non diesel gunner..? Where’s your optimism? It is possible to detach both at Crewe. All down to the perceived risk LSL take. We all know the story

 

The moves at York certainly suggest a tail-gunner:
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...-07/0000-2359?stp=S&show=all&order=wtt&toc=LS

 

Well it was before on the yorkshire traveller in 2019 could it be anything to do to with the steam heat like vintage is having the same problem as on L.S.L. coach stock or are the mk2 and 1,s adaptable for air and vac brake also on L.S.L. stock has 70000 got a air pump on it, maybe that why saphos are still using a tail gunner or is the 47 there cos its going on a heavy used hope valley and S.a.k. line by other services as backup maybe?

 

Certainly got a (prominent) air pump, Davo, but I couldn't comment on the other possibilities.

 

Very confused by all of this?
The LSL stock is air braked and ETH equipped. The steam fleet are all (those currently operational) fitted with air braking equipment and a generator car is often included for heating and other on train necessities (such as mk2 air con, kitchen car equip etc).
A diesel would be included for insurance measures (sit down risk, heavy load etc), shunting, ETH (if generator car is unavailable).
@sunstream has pointed out paths for shunting necessitating a diesel with no additional paths to get it to York on its own, therefore we can assume a diesel will be in the consist.

 

I suppose the acid test will be the Fellsman on 27 May. I really hope that the problems with the Golden Arrow are viewed as a one off from which lessons specific to the circumstances have been learned. Arguably the best steam runs of 2019 were with Britannia over Shap and Ais Gill and there is really no reason not to repeat them.

 

No need to be such a pig about it Stevo...

OINK OINK

 

Mr Pesimist, you’d expect diesel assistance, and then complain that tHeRe’S a DeIsEl On ThE bAcK! Don’t boar on... oink...

 

Britannia, load 11 + 47, Mk2 at front !

 

A good start to the day viewed from the Crewe railcam. 47.712 'Lady Diana Spencer' in immaculate Scotrail livery arrived with the charter from Shrewsbury.
70000 'Britannia' then departed at 08:27, 13 minutes late, to York hauling it's support coach plus 4 Mk.2s and 6 Mk.1s. A green class 47 is at the rear. <BJ>