Shap Mountaineer: 27/09/25

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.

 

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).

 

If, as appears, the Castle comes on at Carnforth and off at Crewe, does that imply co-operation between VT and other steam TOCs?

 

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.

 

7029 overnighting at Steamtown on Friday.

 

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....

 

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.

 

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.

 

The 'shadow' LE moves:

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U63210/2025-09-27/detailed

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U63214/2025-09-27/detailed

appear to indicate steam off at Hellifield?

 

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

 

Looking at the timing for arrival - I feel it might be coupled on the rear. This would then also tie in with the move at Crewe indicated on RTT.

 

The option should be between 37240 or 47773; 37240 has been noted on recent VT tours so this seems the obvious choice.

 

Won't be 47773 unless its had its electrical issues sorted that @Michael Whitehouse mentioned in an earlier post.

 

It will be the 37 according to the route guide received today by email.

 

1Z34 has no booked waterstop between Carlisle and Crewe. Appleby non-stop. Wonder if WCR are allowing their column in Hellifield to be used? Otherwise it's almost 161 miles for the GUV & Tender water to 'last'. The tailgunner might be doing a fair bit of work. Guess they'll take water at Crewe for the last leg to New Street then onwards to Tyseley.