Bulleid Pacifics - Past or Present

I may be wrong on this, but isn't part of the reason SLL are tackling 34010 and 34058 at the same time, is because 34058 came with a van of newly made components for it and I'm sure there was some newly made spare components with them too?

I'm not sure what the parts situation is with 35025 (apart from some being stolen when at Loughborough and not sure if they've been replaced yet), but it might just be a case of having more to work with for 34010, compared to 35025.

 

Clan Line has taken the Belmond Pullman train round the new Kent circuit (Victoria- Chatham-Dover-Tonbridge-Victoria) without any assistance, although the most recent workings have featured a 67 due to it being leaf-fall time. I'm sure that outside the slippery season, a nicely fettled 34028 could manage a rake of Mk1s unassisted over this route. Canterbury, Salisbury and Yeovil likewise are destinations which COULD be visited without the need of a diesel. Indeed, @2857Harry, who knows more about main line steam than many of us do, suggests that the Canterbury circuit could be one route which LSL attempts to run diesel-free in 2025 (Hopefully not via Bearsted in leaf-fall time!).

The big question is - assuming the Mk1s do return in 2025 - whether the likes of RTC perceive there to be a sufficient market for unassisted steam in the south to try some of these routes or whether it would be more profitable to stick with the tried & tested itineraries (e.g. Dorset Coast Express, Swanage Belle, Kentish Belle) which don't work for solo steam. I'm certainly up for Clan Line on the Atlantic Coast Express (16th August) if it will be Mark 1s and no tail gunner. Mind you, that time of year, all it takes is a dry spell.........

 

The exact wording used in the message telling me LSL could run some Steam only work in 2025 was, “Where appropriate, and without comprising operational efficiency”.

That suggests that Bearsted in poor adhesion times won’t be one of those trips!

 

Kent works for Belmond because it is a lunchtime train. It works for Saphos as they have started from numerous places up country at stupid o'clock.
RTC have over the years run less Kent tours, so presumably the market for London originators is not seen to be good. There is only one next year (maybe an Armistice Day as well to be added later) but that tour goes via Canterbury to 5 other Kent destinations as well. It gives you 6 hours in Canterbury, which I suspect is too long for many. By going around the coast you then have a loco facing the wrong way for the return.
If you only go to Canterbury breakfast and dinner sort of forces you to have passengers there for that 5 or 6 hours.
Other than Exeter, not sure Salisbury is far enough for the money, (as most of the costs are fixed regardless of length) where else would you go? Bristol maybe but I suspect you would have to propel the support coach past more than one signal, Cardiff these days seems to need the train to be turned at Maindee one way. Worcester used to be an option, but are there not issues with getting the loco in the depot now?
Chester may not be bad, and I stewarded an unassisted trip with No 9, but not even sure you can do that without a diesel now.
Norwich may be possible, but any of these options is without any pathing constrains or watering possibilities factored in.
RTC of course have never gone with just a tour type train like to old Hertfordshire Downsman or the Kingfisher trip I did that turned left at Laverstock Junction and came back through Southampton. But these days you are back into that fixed cost issue again. Plus of course you need a diesel for the ECS from and to Southall and somewhere to park it in the day. That is not always easy on the fragmented network we have today.
It's not as simple as it sounds I suggest.

 

I'm not sure if they were full Pullman rakes or not or if they had diesel assistance, but 34027, 34046 and 34067 have hauled the British Pullman over the years.

 

46100 has hauled the British Pullman without diesel assistance, although it was round the Shalford circuit.
I’m not sure how she would fare on Martin Mill bank!

Belmond British Pullman, 46100 Royal Scot, 23rd September 2017.

 

a Scot has certain advantages over a pacific... and disadvantages.

 

I imagine the main advantage is that when (not if) the drain cocks of the Scot get stuck open they are very useful for removing leaf debris from the rails in the leaf fall season.



Bryan

 

You need 1500 psi to effectively remove leaf debris from the railhead.

 

Wonder if the dry ice experiment worked...

 

1500 psi of what, though?

 

Safely remove the ballast, as well.

 

Tom

 

What do you spend your time watching, Tom? You could be spending time watching Jubilees and other good things.

 

Mostly drooling over things like this ...



But it is pot luck in Google whether "Rail mounted rockets" gives you a fantastic passenger loco from a more elegant era or North Korea's latest missile test ...

Tom

 

That might have a problem on OHLE lines!

 

Didn't I hear that was a 100% successful in cleaning leaf debris off the running rails, but left the SR third rail (conductor rail), totally iced up?



Bryan

 

Wouldnt that make it a superconductor ?

 

This was posted on the Boscastle thread but it might appeal to anybody who appreciates these fine locomotives and has the knowledge needed to help the Boscastle Locomotive (Private) Limited Company......

"There was a letter sent out to the shareholders last week following the AGM. The directors are looking for more help as the long standing and very valued Company secretary (John Woodward) has not stood for re election and is retiring. Any offers of help will be Much appreciated ...... The job can be split up to suit applicants skills. More details via our website or PM me.

We are close to getting Boscastle back into steam but need fresh people to join our team.
The locomotive is based on the GCR at Loughborough, but we use Zoom and E mail so people can help from anywhere.
This is what we want to see again....

 

Seeing news elsewhere that 34081 '92 Squadron' is moving from Nene Valley to East Lancs?? Two cans of spam at the ELR?