Saphos Trains

You will never bash an A4 on the mainline again then. Had a quick look at the video, can't see where the 47 is pushing.

 

Taken from the SNGLT website -

Use of Diesels
SNGLT members should be aware that we have been advised that for operational reasons it is expected that a diesel locomotive will be attached to the rear of most of the planned tours. The diesel will assist if requested by the steam driver or inspector due to either poor rail head conditions or excessive gradient against load and timings. An initial response is typically that the steam driver asks for the diesel to be run in "notch one", which equates to the diesel taking its own weight and very little else. The steam footplate crews are very minded that it's a steam rail tour and so do drive the loco as designed.

Think this is likely to be standard accross the board LSL wise. And I’m sure they’ve got their reasons. I do enjoy seeing a WCRC trip for the reason of the engine working, but can also understand why LSL operate as they do.

 

What's sad is but fot the LSL thing No7 could have been on the Royal Duchys and possibly other tours down south. As it stands sadly despite being a Friend of No7 we won't travel behind it again. Hardly bashing an A4 currently is it?

 

Strange use of the word 'most'. 'All' would be nearer the mark.

 

At the moment though LSL rely on a 47 at the back to provide ETH I believe? When I did the Kidderminster to York trip last April, the 47 failed at Bescot as did the heating. I can tell you it was less than pleasant onboard temperature until Barrow Hill when we got another diesel. I’d take the comfort any day.

 

Quite funny really, engine is working harder than ever. Torre bank on its own with 16.

 

Yes I was on that one as well. If I remember rightly, after that trip 46100 needed a bit of TLC at Crewe, as it had been worked harder than anticipated. The diesel also powers the CDL as well doesn't it?

 

I thought it was needed at this time of the year to power the air con in the coffins.

 

Other than working for Belmond where would any Mk 1 stock come from these days for DBC operated tours? Is it not all owned by WCRC, LSL or Vintage with the exception of the SRPS set?

 

I think you’re correct Ref CDL, but it has a back up system in case of diesel failure? But I could be wrong on that.

Not sure about 46100 after the trip. All I know is load 13 plus dead 47 made it cough!

 

Same sort of thing I would say. I merely wondered if LSL had other means of powering such things except a 47?

 

I did consider that, but to my mind it's mainly the posting of the video that highlights the problem.

 

You could say the same thing about No9 being stuffed in Fife, it's what the owners decide what's best to do with them as we always say

It'll be interesting to see what happens with 6024, if there are differences with 60007. Hopefully 6024 can do Pathfinder and RTC trips.

 

Do DBC actually have any steam work these days? As far as I know they only do the Belmond and they don't even seem to do that at the moment as Clan Line is out for repairs.

 

Photos from Saturday 12th August and 60007 with 'The English Riviera Express' at Dawlish and Kingswear...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/alts1985/albums/72177720306505822

 

Hard to tell what the status of 6024 is now. Looking like it's an 'in house locomotive' now. Guess we can only hope LSL will have a change of heart and allow their locomotives out for hire. Don't know if they've been approached about the possibility of hiring their locomotives out to cover trains WCR are having difficulty providing locomotives to haul.

 

I was just thinking that. Other than the royal train onto the NYMR recently have DBC actually run steam this year?

Given 35028's prolonged absence, do DBC steam crews lose "competency" after a certain amount of time and have to have some kind of training?

 

The original agreement with LSL said that operations with others would happen from time to time.