Vintage Trains - 2021

I’ve had similar ie timings only and no tickets today re next week’s Skegness trip .Times were on RTT over a month ago …

 

20189 joins us today as does 47773 as booked. The two trips today continuing as planned.

With a statement now sent out via email, 7029 passed annual steaming exams as well as a FTR on Monday 26th. However a leak in the smoke box from the superheater header failed the loco late Monday evening. Work on repairing the fouling part has already begun.

 

We are on Sunday 8 August, heard nothing from VT as yet.

 

Still no joy trying to talk to VT. Anyone on today's train know anything?

 

Railway Herald confirms 47 haulage for this Sunday. Still heard nothing from VT. No one has been answering the phones. I guess I'll have to drive to Stratford on Sunday and see what they say regarding our wish not to travel to Birmingham and back.

 

I’m pleased your day was enjoyable. Unfortunately mine was spent dialing the phone for VT all day in the hope of catching someone. I’m an enthusiast and to a degree understand the issues but the ‘ordinaries’ out there won’t be impressed by no one answering a booking phone line all day. I’ve supported VT for years and booked several of the autumn tours as soon as they were released. But today I am disappointed.

 

I think its obvious Sunday's trip will now be diesel hauled due to the lack of running on the booked test runs for Tuesday and Thursday, which were pivitol for the first steam hauled Shakespeare Express. I'm booked on the following Sunday and I am quietly confident it will run as advertised. Best case for this Sunday, for me, would be double class 20's.

 

You'll be pleased with Sunday then.

 

Is it confirmed for a pair of Choppers then?

 

I wouldn't go that far, happy to have guessed correctly though ! I'm sure there will be a few grumbles for the lack of steam but its an interesting alternative.

 

Left another message this morning at VT and a lovely lady has just rung back and offered me a voucher for the sum paid. Very happy that they’ve come good for me. Hope those that want get the choppers!

 

20189 and 227 on one end, 47773 on the other this weekend. Or maybe 20s top and tail. Or maybe no 20s and just the 47. Who knows? All have been mentioned.

 

Do you happen to know whether they are top and tailing or double heading?

 

Depends how they’re assembled on depot. When I left yesterday they were nose to nose in front of the stock on shed.

 

Just received our notification from VT that the 1 + 8 August will be class 20's, and the times as per RTT.
We wanted a kettle but geriatric paraffin cans will suffice, her ladyship wanted to do it in style so we are on the posh nosh in the chocolate and custards, SOA to Brum and return!
Post pandemic, or still in it whichever way you view it, tolerance will give you a good day.

Just checking back on my emails and it appears they sent us an earlier one today suggesting it was the Class 47, then several re-traction emails and a final correction with the class 20's. I wonder if we might get another one changing it to the kettle if they can find something to bung the hole up with!!

 

Mate who’s a big 20 fan has had his email confirming it’s premier EE traction, pardon the pun but he’s well chuffed!

 

Locomotive update
Sunday 1st & 8th August will be hauled by Class 20’s instead of 7029 Clun Castle.

Highly successful English Electric Type 1 light mixed traffic diesel locomotives built as part of the BR modernisation plan between 1957 and 1968. The type is known by railway enthusiasts as ‘Choppers’, a name derived from the distinctive beat that the engine produces when under load, resembling the sound of a helicopter. In BR days, the use of class 20s on passenger trains was very limited, mainly to summer relief services, particularly to Skegness under the adopted title of “The Jolly Fisherman.”

Sadly, “Clun Castle” is not well. Despite having passed her insurance exams and even being past fit to run on Tuesday, she has developed some issues with her superheater arrangements. These are most unusual, especially as the elements were brand new at her recent overhaul and have given good service to date.
But this means we have some repair work to do which, as we speak is currently being assessed, so, “Clun Castle” will not be operating on Sunday and our train will be diesel hauled.

The times, carriages, and everything else about your experience and package are the same and we are looking forward to a massively exciting Shakespeare Express.