Cotton Mill 16th May

Nope, nothing to do with ''A Hitch-Hikers Guide To The Galaxy''...

 

Nor was rimmer world 'Polisher'

 

So there are no locos available
beggars belief
Are there not some at Crewe, some at Carnforth not in action that day
Neil

 

Realy?, well if you Google it, thats what it comes up with?, or are we the only ones who can remember ''Red Dwarf'' Ben?. \/

 

Possibly the only other known in gauge locos, 45231, 34067, 70013, 61994 and 62005 will be all rather too far away, although Tangmere does not have a booked job until mid June. Not sure whether 46115 is passed for the circuit anyway; assume 5690 repairs/test not complete in time.

 

Don't forget that 5690 has been out for a while; expecting it to do two tours in two days for a comeback is a bit much. Also, if there are any problems, it would affect HF's tour on Sunday, for which the loco has been booked for months.

 

Indeed, probably wise in the circumstances but a shame nontheless.

 

Past time have known about this lack of a Riley engine for over a month, surely something could have been sorted out
What happens in June?

Neil

 

what about Stanier 8F 48151? it has been to Huddersfield twice via Copy Pit

Neil

 

What has been done and is there a test run planned before the S&C run?

whoops !!! just found this and answere my own question on uk/steam/movements

Sat 16-May 45690/TBA: Carnforth-Hellifield (Provisional) (07/05) !!

Edit - time now up for the ummmmmm - testrun - looks like a positioning move for sumdays trip



john

 

I wonder if that TBA could be 48151 after it's overhaul??? Or would they have to work seperate trains to be passed? I couldn't see any other reason for another steam train to work to Hellifield especially now that the CM has being cancelled.

 

I reckon the 8F needs it's boiler reattached before it goes anywhere.

 

45231 + 62005 will be in Fort William by then.
70013 is working a tour around East Anglia that day.
61994 may have been a possibility, but as mentioned, is a long way away.
Tangmere is currently in London, and I think has been invited to the Eastleigh event the following weekend - would involve two long E+C trips. Mind you, a Spamcan over Copy Pit would have been something rather special!

I'm sure it's not for want of trying, Neil. Just because the tour operator has "over a month's" notice, doesn't mean that a loco will necessarily be available. You sound a little petulant. Do you imagine that railtour operators enjoy cancelling tours and returning customers' money?

 

It's probably a case of the economics of the tour not adding up.

A light engine to / from Grosmont isnt the same price as a light engine from Bury.
If 45407 is already booked to be earning money on the NYMR, then the economics make even less sense

if there is nothing else local and the trip isnt sold out.. then there's no point running it.

Until 44871 / 44932 or 48151 are ready later this year I would expect more of these to be canceled... it's that usual difficult balance... Locomotive owners make money when the sun shines and there's a shortage of locomotives all round, but come winter there all laid up with no work, and when they try no one wants a day out in the rain.

 

And - let's be brutally honest - with the number of consecutive cancellations of this itinerary, the Cotton Mill is becoming a "tarnished" product

The more it is cancelled, the less people will book - unfortunately

 

Have the Riley fleet actually moved to the NYMR permanently, or is it just a case of the, earning more this summer through hire fees up there? If its the former I would assume that the economics of the longer light movements will always have an impact, especially if Mr Smith is unleashing his own 5 in the not too distant future.

 

I completely agree. I havent yet booked on this trip for exactly that reason.. why plan a weekend in Manchester if the show's been canceled every other time.

I'm completely speculating here but..
if ELR pays £1200 a weekend, a Cotton Mill brings in £5000 once a month and the NYMR pays £2000 a weekend, it doesnt take a genious to work out where the breads being buttered.

If WCRC bring along 48151, 44932, 45699 next year Riley may find himself with a bit less work next year based on unreliability this year.

 

According to the Eastleigh Exhibition thread elsewhere, Tangmere isn't the replacement for 30777.