WCR Rail Tours

I thought the gesture by LSL last Saturday to run a class 40 from Crewe to Taunton to replace steam power was very commendable. The class 40 proved to be a popular alternative. <BJ>

 

Yes, staff on today's train say they had no complaints of note, and there has been at least one 5 star Trip Advisor review from passengers. If I'd have been on it, I wouldn't have minded having a 40 instead of steam either.

 

A sympathetic touch at the WSR today. All locomotives, including 45212, are adorned with wreaths in respect of those involved in the local school bus crash earlier in the week. The young child that was tragically killed and several children that were injured attended Minehead Middle school. [BJ]

 

RTT shows ECS for Royal Duchy leaving Southall Saturday morning, which is usual.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...6/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt&toc=WR

 

In that case I retract any thoughts of logic I once had! It is very much unlikely Tornado is doing both

 

The Buxton Spa does also seem to have gone from any websites now, except Railway Herald so I guess that’s fallen casualty to lack of locos.

 

Indeed the locomotives were so adorned and it pleasing to see that 45212 carried a tribute as well. I was not surprised as the WSR is very much part of the life of Minehead and Exmoor.

 

W.C.R. Scarborough spa 13 August been cancelled due to 45212 needing work on its wheelsets. So W.C.R. have offered a full refund transfer of booking to 27 August's scarborough spa or the Chester Dalesman on the 19 August.

 

RTT timings for next Thursday's Dalesman from York are up, but nothing showing on Tuesday for the Pendle Dalesman. Seems to have disappeared from the website too. Anyone heard anything?

 

Tangmere heading north through Horton in Ribblesdale with the final York Dalesman of the season.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/90397953@N02/54764791826/in/photostream/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/90397953@N02/54764791961/in/photostream/

Looking at RTT, Tangmere is going right through to York tonight, with the return working, presumably to save a move on Saturday for Sunday's last Waverley.

 

Tangmere seen passing through Horton in Ribblesdale Station on the outward leg then returning at an atrocious Stockber.

 

Good video despite the weather!
Still wonder about 34067's exhaust.
It seems to be out of kilter somewhere and I couldn't help wondering if the chain drive has stretched links.

 

Realtime Trains | 1Z55 0824 Lancaster to Carlisle | 27/09/2025

Realtime Trains | 5Z56 1138 Carlisle to Carlisle | 27/09/2025

Realtime Trains | 1Z56 1339 Carlisle to Lancaster | 27/09/2025

Lune Rivers Trust charter (34067?)

 

Isn't there also an RTC 'Rail 200 Special' scheduled for that day? Billed as 'fully booked' on the website so might presumably get priority for whatever steam is available? 34028 is down south and (assuming FTR) earmarked for the RTC 'Royal Duchy' on the 28th. See 1Z16 0622 and 1Z18 1336.

 

Good point, I think Lune Rivers Trust was 2x33s last year due to steam availability on the day

 

I'm personally holding out for one of the Fives to return down from Scotland early (however unlikely) it to me would be very fitting if 44871 pulled the Railway 200 train since it was on the last ever public mainline trip at the end of steam, seems only right in a way 34067 never would on the train but naturally a steam engine is a steam engine and to have one at all is a blessing.

 

34028 ran a hot middle big end, I believe, which was first noted during coasting into Basingstoke Platform 4 for the scheduled water stop.
"Eddystone" and complete train towed to WCRC Southall: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:11862/2025-09-11/detailed I was told that the coupling rod had been taken down and transported to SLL Herston Works for attention.
Once completed and refitted I guess another loaded test train will be required to satisfy that repairs are satisfactory - but nothing found on RTT and no updates yet on SLL Facebook page.

 

Railway Herald (who have had many SLL updates in the past) are talking about it being back "next week". No idea if that is direct from SLL or some other source.