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Shap Mountaineer: 27/09/25

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by 1020 Shireman, Sep 23, 2025 at 1:01 AM.

  1. 1020 Shireman

    1020 Shireman Part of the furniture Friend

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    The Mountaineer has dropped into the old CME path from Carnforth to Carlisle; and on the return to Farington Jn.

    Outward
    https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U63208/2025-09-27/detailed

    Return
    https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U63213/2025-09-27/detailed

    If I'd known that before could have driven up to Crewe in the morning and not booked the Premier Inn.
     
    1020 Shireman, Sep 23, 2025 at 1:01 AM
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  2. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Yes, a later arrival time back in Birmingham than originally suggested. Either way this Southerner still needs a couple of nights up north to catch this trip. And arguably, with a Castle up front, what's not to like?
     
    Big Al, Sep 23, 2025 at 8:42 AM
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  3. LittleRedTrain

    LittleRedTrain Member

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    Return timings seem to suggest a loco change at Crewe rather than Hellifield as advertised on the VT site, a bonus if that's the case.

    Looking forward to this one, my first (and possibly only) UK main line trip this year.

    Any word on whether the diesel leg will be 47 or 37. (Personally I'd prefer the latter).
     
    LittleRedTrain, Sep 23, 2025 at 11:56 AM
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  4. MellishR

    MellishR Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    If, as appears, the Castle comes on at Carnforth and off at Crewe, does that imply co-operation between VT and other steam TOCs?
     
    MellishR, Sep 23, 2025 at 2:52 PM
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  5. DVT01

    DVT01 New Member

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    On previous trips when swapping at Crewe the steam stayed on and was towed to get it back into position at Tyseley. It runs up empty usually the day before.
     
    DVT01, Sep 23, 2025 at 2:59 PM
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  6. Rander

    Rander Member

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    7029 overnighting at Steamtown on Friday.
     
    Rander, Sep 23, 2025 at 3:16 PM
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  7. GWR4707

    GWR4707 Nat Pres stalwart

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    She (or 5043 I don't recall which one it was) did the same last time they ran up in the NW, rather illustrating that relationships between VT and WCR are not as frosty as some may like to imply...

    And from at least one previous experience with 5043 and the amount of coal that was being transferred from support coach to footplate by hand at Crewe I'm not sure just how much the leading diesel actually did....
     
    GWR4707, Sep 23, 2025 at 3:47 PM
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  8. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Resident of Nat Pres

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    I always thought there was never really an issue between WCRC and VT. WCRC had an issue in that they were unable to provide sufficient crews, but to me that shows a relationship that changes over time.
     
    Gladiator 5076, Sep 23, 2025 at 5:06 PM
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  9. acorb

    acorb Part of the furniture

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    Correct, it had much to do with the impending retirement of Ray Churchill & the loss of his vast route knowledge in the Midlands and South West. He then of course returned to help VT set up their own TOC and pass on some of that knowledge.
    VT still hire in West Coast crews when required where their own don't have the required route knowledge.
     
    Last edited: Sep 23, 2025 at 7:31 PM
    acorb, Sep 23, 2025 at 7:26 PM
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  10. alastair

    alastair Well-Known Member

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    alastair, Sep 23, 2025 at 8:43 PM
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  11. Romsey

    Romsey Part of the furniture

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    It looks like the shadow DL will attach to the rear of the train at Hellifield UGL.
    RTT shows that there is a run round movement at Crewe. That matches with previous VT trips where a diesel was used as a pilot loco from Crewe back to Birmingham.
    I suspect that the reasoning behind this is perhaps train crew hours on duty.

    Cheers, Neil
     
    Last edited: Sep 24, 2025 at 2:31 PM
    Romsey, Sep 23, 2025 at 8:48 PM
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  12. dublo6231

    dublo6231 Member

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    dublo6231, Sep 23, 2025 at 8:53 PM
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  13. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    Don't forget that before the Moutaineer, WCR have the Lune Rivers from Lancaster over Shap to Carlisle and back to Lancaster via the S&C, Hellifield and Carnforth.
     
    RalphW, Sep 23, 2025 at 9:21 PM
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  14. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Is that pure steam without diesel assistance though?
     
    Big Al, Sep 23, 2025 at 10:24 PM
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  15. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    As the Railway 200 Special is on the same day it is likely to take precedence with steam, the Lune Rivers, the annual charity jolly, is most likely to be diesel throughout.
     
    RalphW, Sep 24, 2025 at 10:34 AM
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  16. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    The fact that RTT describes a new arrangement from Crewe suggests that the diesel leads from Crewe and tags on for the ride from Hellifield as @Romsey suggests.

    If correct, that's clever and path efficient train planning by VT.
     
    Big Al, Sep 24, 2025 at 12:26 PM
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  17. Fred Kerr

    Fred Kerr Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    The option should be between 37240 or 47773; 37240 has been noted on recent VT tours so this seems the obvious choice.
     
    Fred Kerr, Sep 25, 2025 at 12:59 AM
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  18. acorb

    acorb Part of the furniture

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    Won't be 47773 unless its had its electrical issues sorted that @Michael Whitehouse mentioned in an earlier post.
     
    acorb, Sep 25, 2025 at 7:07 AM
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  19. Robin

    Robin Well-Known Member Friend

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    It will be the 37 according to the route guide received today by email.
     
    Robin, Sep 25, 2025 at 1:21 PM
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