RTC 2025

Is there any news on what is likely to haul the ACE on 16 August (if it is still running)? I had thought 'Tornado' was in the frame, but perhaps not.

 

Well unless WCRC and the A1 Group "kiss and make up" I would assume not. Before you even get to the new pathing issue.

 

Which is? Do you mean a different pathing if a lower-powered steam loco is used? Or the WoE route p.way issue?

 

The W of E issue where trains west of Yeovil Junction are going 2 hourly and journey times increased by an hour.
https://www.southwesternrailway.com/plan-my-journey/west-of-england-changes
And despite of what is mentioned in that release neither RTT or the SWR Journey Planner have been updated today (yet).

 

I would expect either a change of route, as well as a change of motive power, possible route change, could be Yeovil Junction, then diesel hauled to Weymouth, then back down the SW main line , if you want to keep it roughly as an tribute to the old ACE, As regards engine, most likely diesel hauled throughout, unless 34028, can be test ran in time, and put on at Weymouth, or if by some miracle 45212 is repaired by then, in which case, it could power the tour as far as Yeovil, turn, and run light engine to Weymouth, or the tour terminates at Yeovil.

 

Thanks. Perhaps ACE will come to mean 'All Changed Excursion', then!

 

Timings are now loaded
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/detailed/gb-nr:YVJ?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt

The SWR article talks about restrictions west of Gillingham which means all schedules will be adjusted west of Salisbury.
https://www.southwesternrailway.com/plan-my-journey/west-of-england-changes

Planning a railtour isn't a five minute business and is a lot more than producing timings.
Check for engineering works ( NR and Promoter )
Gauge clearance for loco and rolling stock. ( NR )
Axle loading restrictions for planned loco ( NR )
Provision of water and coal at suitable locations. (Promoter and / or Loco Owner)
Servicing rolling stock. (Promoter )
Train crew route knowledge (TOC )
Volunteer availability (Loco owner )
Loco preparation and disposal (Loco Owner) ( Two days of volunteers work before and probably a day afterwards.)
Arranging FTR Exam ( TOC & Loco owner )
Marketing or advising late changes - when agreed ( Promoter )

I don't have any inside information, but if the earthworks are weakened there will probably be a restriction on heavier axle weight vehicles either a speed limit or reduction in Route Availability.

Cheers, Neil

 

Indeed so. All this makes me think they might just use the now-spare 159s sitting about! I imagine any significant axle-loading limits will almost certainly remove steam from the equation.

 

As @Big Al said, now somewhat moot. But I still do not see the two hourly service, showing in the SWR journey planner or your RTT link.

 

Indeed, not a surprise. Thanks.

 

The Dorset Coast Express on the 14th August has been pulled from RTC website can only presume it's been cancelled as well unfortunately.

 

Rescheduled to 18th September
https://www.railwaytouring.net/dce-14-08-25

 

Cheers. Silly me forgot to look further down the page!

Presume by this that there is some hope by both WCR and RTC that a steam locomotive will be available by mid September.

 

Which may by then be 34028 one would hope.

 

Although the holidays page does not show a date change, with a WSSE on Sept 13 and the DCE on the 18th it would nicely align with a redated West Country Explorer that should have used the WSSE outbound this Saturday and the DCE on the return.

 

I very much doubt that

 

Still 6 weeks off you have some "inside information"?

 

Because of the tunnel closure on the coast line the CCE has changed to an anti-clockwise CME. Steam from Preston then Blackburn, Hellifield and S&C to Carlisle. Back over Shap and steam off at Carnforth. Assuming a steam loco is available

 

There's a slight potential for 34028 on the Dorset Coast Express given it has started it's running in trials on Swanage based on what someone said on Facebook.