RTC 2026

It is timed at 45mph on the outward journey, so one presumes it is leading tender first

 

WCRC steam tours will always be top and tail with a diesel loco regardless of fire risk.....until they can find someway of the steam loco operating the CDL or something else within the consist to negate the need for a diesel loco on the rear

 

Not if MK1s return (CDL fitted included) or they use one of the 6(?) generator vehicles they have. Or indeed how they are running the Jacobite….

 

CDL is not the issue - if it was how come the Jacobite is operating diesel free on most days? The issue is train heat and air conditioning. If the set needs an eth (electric train heat) supply then a suitably fitted diesel loco is needed in the consist.

Peter

 

A return of mk1s would be no guarantee of diesel free, steam hauled, trains either though ....
Seems like the generators are regarded as dead weight, there isn't much incentive to use them really I imagine, for a variety of perfectly understandable reasons.

 

Or a generator car Peter, but that's dead weight.

 

Not a guanratee but would be more likely? MK1s using the Vintage trains CDL system should allow solo steam?

 

"Should" perhaps but before their enforced suspension, use of mk1s on charters by WC had typically involved a diesel on the rear more often than not, which an interminable thread on this forum bears testimony too.
I don't see that custom changing even if mk1s return to use, for a variety of legitimate reasons.

 

Fair enough. In 2023 I think it was 65% WCR trips were solo steam throughout/solo steam on the steam booked
Legs, according to a forum discussion elsewhere.

 

https://www.railwaytouring.net/the-slate-miner

RTC advertising a Colas class 56 to Blaenau Ffestiniog on 15th August.

 

Yes WC trains eg Dalesman, SSE etc were more regularly diesel free.
RTC, Pathfinder etc trains operated by WC though?

 

CME's, Waverley's etc were generally diesel free except in leaf fall season pre Mk1 debacle.

 

WCMEs etc have routinely had a diesel on the rear for ETH purposes as the steam heat systems aren't operational, as I understand.
I'd add that BIL rarely went out unassisted. Ditto 60103.
Then there's the customary fire risk occasions .....
As I said, legitimate reasons and I wouldn't expect things to change should the mk1s return to use but there will likely be more solo steam than currently, granted.

 

Manchester originating ones, yes. Euston, no, these were as a general rule diesel free. I think that was down to the mk1 set being used, the London based set relying on steam heat.

 

11 out of 54 runs over the S&C included a diesel from my information. Most of these look to be due to fire risk or leaf fall season.