70013

Unless airbrakes are being fitted what will 70013 and 45110 be able to pull?

 

Well WC said lasts week, in a public statement, they've decided to fit CDL to their mk1s so hopefully by 2028 there'll be some vac braked stock available again.

 

Or Vintage Trains

 

Never say never but I wouldn’t put money on a joint WCRC/ Vintage Trains operation even if the latter were to let their only set of coaches out during peak Shakespeare Express season.

 

The SRPS mk1 set is dual brake too, and now CDL fitted with a system that works on air and vacuum.

 

Is the SRPS set now under exclusive contract with LSL TOC?

 

Based on the fact that the next phase of construction (a) hasn't started yet and (b) doesn't complete the job, no chance whatsoever.
That's meant to be realistic, not pessimistic. I don't think everyone has grasped the scale of the project, or the amount of funding required.
And I didn't even mention the loco shed being in the way...

 

Depends which comes first: the reconnection to the network - or the boiler coming back from Tyseley. Could be a close call

 

I’m not sure LSL’s licence allows them to work vacuum braked trains

 

I think I recall SRPS stating that their agreement with LSL permits a limited number of trips per year with GBRF operating their Mk1s.
Which doesn’t really help 70013 because GBRF don’t do steam!

 

IIRC, 70013 was operated on the mainline last time by 5305 locomotive group. 45305 has certainly been used by Vintage Trains in the past, indeed I had a particularly high speed run behind it to Crewe once...it wasn't nicknamed 'The Black 5 gti' for nothing!!

 

No, but they obviously get first call on use and there are only so many outings that be accommodated when several vehicles are used regularly on the B&KR too.

 

I can’t disagree with you because I don’t know but I’d be surprised if the licence specified braking systems.

 

It was, but there was some animosity between the (now ousted) GCR management and 5305LA over who was responsible for the overhaul. In the end GCR are overhauling it but as GCR are not a main line operator, I don't think it's clear yet who will operate 70013 on the main line going forward.

 

I thought the issue was more to do with custodianship and meeting NRM requirements for this? Wasn't aware there was animosity.

The NRM website states
"Although custodianship of the locomotive will transfer to Great Central Railway, the 5305 Locomotive Association will be heavily involved in the planned overhaul."

This does date from 2019 mind, so plenty could have changed by now!!

 

It will be the 5305LA. I believe it is planned for the 5305LA to operate with both WCRC and Vintage Trains so presumably this will include 70013.

The latest issue of Main Line says that the hydraulic and out-of-frames steam tests were imminent at the time of writing. Hopefully this means the boiler will be back at Loughborough soon but I'm not holding my breath after all the previous delays.

 

Which comes back to either the loco to be airbraked (therefore no issue using the present WCRC stock) or access to vacuum braked coaches and agreement with a TOC. Can't see WCRC operating the Vintage Trains rake even if VT were to make it available.

 

But WC is fitting CDL to its entire mk1 fleet, which is dual braked stock, now, according to their latest press release. So unless their CDL system only works with air, by the time 70013 is finished there seems to be a likelihood of compatible stock without the need to fit air brakes.
Whether the GCR will be keen for it to spend time away from the railway is another matter I suppose, especially if it involves road transport to get it to/from railhead.
As a comparison, I understood part of the custodianship requirement for 60103 is that, unless in extremis, it doesn't go by road.

 

Which is the ideal scenario of course but views vary as to whether this is actually happening. Little I'd like to see more than 70013 pounding over the S&C with a rake of maroon MK1s!

 

Well I suppose we can only take WC at their [most recent] word ".... we've decided to fit CDL to our entire mk1 fleet .." . There wouldn't be any point announcing an operational decision and then not doing it ....