RTC 'The Mancunian', 26/03/22

I note that the 'Mancunian' timings are starting to come through:

Euston - Manchester Piccadilly

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U13675/2022-03-26/detailed

(Stoke reached via Searchlight Lane, rather than Colwich Junction, still new track for me, arriving on the through platforms)


Manchester Victoria - Euston

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U13678/2022-03-26/detailed

(return down as via recent Ordsall Curve and Deansgate - possibly the first steam-hauled passenger train to traverse the curve, so a real bonus considering how busy it is around there)

All in all, a great day out in prospect.

 

It's why one has a hotel for both nights! Anyway, you know me well enough that I'm more about where the steam up front goes than the performance, so am willing to take the rough with the smooth if there's an unusual route. Not everyone's cup of tea, granted, and I think I'd have struggled with 06:37 if I was at my usual (well, pre-2020) digs south of the river.

It reminds me of the early starts from Liverpool Lime Street on trips to Scarborough. Probably around 100 miles, but it still takes an age.

Doing round trips from London starts are getting increasingly difficult to do these days without a hotel, unless it's a shortish jaunt to the south from Victoria. Even with a hotel, there's the train tickets to consider when not driving to a strategic point. I've long said that 2/3 of the cost of a trip is in the logistics, certainly if you want to do something specific.

 

Move to the ELR for servicing, I presume:

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U13676/2022-03-26/detailed

and back to Victoria:

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U13677/2022-03-26/detailed

I don't know this hence my asking but how far onto the ELR does it go? As far as Heywood or do they need to go right up to the yard.

Also: presume a diesel on the back if it's reversing at Castleton?

 

And the ELR timetable has two trains at Heywood in that slot.
https://www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk/plan-your-day-out/timetables/

 

Has the connection to the main line been put back in at Castleton South? It was taken out either last year or 2020.

 

RTC have just confirmed there is a Class 47/57 listed as part of the formation saying 'It will not be working just attached in case we need it for any reason during the journey'.

Had my fingers crossed we'd get a pure steam run but still a good day out in prospect with some new and rare lines for steam. Hope the PRCLT support crew have recovered in time.

 

Last time I did a pure steam tour out of Euston was No 9 on September 2014. There may have been others since but I think a diesel on the back is usual out of Euston is it not? Mind you I did due Plymouth trip out of Euston with Tangmere unassisted, did wonder before departure if I would get see Willesden, a trip I remember well as the late great Charlie Watts was a passenger.

 

The only other line really to get there at that time is Thameslink (walk from St.Pancras) who run all night because of Gatwick.

 

Which trip was that please? I thought Tangmere had only worked out of Euston on a returning Swanage working?

 

I don't know about Gladiator 5076's tour or one to Swanage, but I was on one with Tangmere on 9-3-2013, which went to Worcester.

 

Interesting. Mine was 26/11/2011 which was I believe the first ever original Light Pacific into Euston and the first out since 1948.

 

From memory a latish departure change to Euston I think due to engineering work near Paddington.
RTC's The Mayflower
34067 Euston to Taunton
4464 & 70000 Taunton to Plymouth and back
70000 Taunton to Paddington

Great day out, I wonder if that could happen now even if you could find 3 Pacifics. Another early start but not too late back.

https://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/10s/120915rt.htm

 

From my time living in Camden seemed a fair few unassisted runs with steam out of Euston, but this was a decade ago.

 

Ah, I remember that now. Had to go to a wedding that day and was quite grumpy about it!