Vintage Trains 2025

Hooray unassisted steam over Shap and Ais Gill with Bahamas Sat Mar 29.

 

Does Bahamas haul the entire trip? Nothing on the booking page about a traction changeover?

 

I know nothing. I'm sure Michael will be along. I'd guess same as 5043 this year,on at Carnforth.

 

The proposed timings would certainly suggest steam throughout

 

Yes, early starts, late finish. I wonder what the load will be for a Jub GT?

 

Confirmation would be good ,being the weekend after KWVR gala I’m suspecting diesel to Carnforth and piloting back south from somewhere ..the wording is very specific no diesel assistance on the northern section .
Hoping VT can confirm the detail so can decide if to book .

 

Time to start a thread for 2025 now the first tour has been announced:

https://vintagetrains.co.uk/vintagetrains.co.uk/activities/the-shap-mountaineer/

and it’s a good one!

Nick M.

 

Yeah early/late, also not going in to Preston on the return, but instead straight from B’burn on to the WCML suggests keeping steam at the head. 30 minutes New St to Wolverhampton is basically stopper service times, so ideal for a 60mph path for a steam tour

 

Pleased to see 'Enthusiast Class' making a comeback.

Got a big birthday next April, might make a good birthday treat!

 

Snap!

 

They've just updated the tour description on the website.

"The train will be diesel hauled to Carnforth, where Bahamas will take over the train. On the return, the train will be diesel hauled from Hellifield back to Birmingham New Street. For enthusiasts we have introduced a new Tourist Class ticket, allowing you to sit in the first passenger carriage behind the locomotive."

 

Ughhhh that’s quite a small steam section now. Even a CME gets you steam to Preston. Shame.

 

Now, now Harry.......dont be greedy! It is unassisted steam after all.

Peter

 

I'm struggling to remember the last time Bahamas tackled Shap, anyone care to remember?

 

First time in preservation according to the tour wording:
“The journey will see the train make a thunderous ascent of Shap to Carlisle, Bahamas’ first run on this route in preservation”
The tour is very highly tempting for that fact/perspective alone…

 

1967?

 

45596 was withdrawn in July 1966 from Stockport Edgeley Shed. The locomotive was transferred to Stockport from Carlisle Upperby in July 1962 and there is a distinct possibility that is when it last worked
on the West Coast mainline to/from Carlisle. Does anyone out there know if 45596 ever did returned to Carlisle via Shap between 1962 and 1966?

Cheerz,

Alan

 

To be a little bit pedantic….45596 last worked over Shap in 2023….

It went in the down direction on 5Z28, 18/04/2023
And the up on 5Z32, 20/04/2023

Although that may be stretching the term “working” being on one coach only….

 

I’m looking forward to this and have booked. Well done to VT for putting on some more unassisted steam.

 

I can see my wallet twitching for this one, have to see if Santa is being kind..