Vintage Trains 2026

A couple of years ago I was talking to one of the older NT drivers who drove 331s on the Bpool N-Man Airport & Liv LS routes. He told me that the 3 car units were rapid, from a stop in Preston they could reach 100mph by Farington Curve Jn. The Jn is 1m 49ch south of Preston, after a gentle dip to the Ribble Xng the line climbs equally gently; overall the gradient is around 1/700r. On 06 Nov 2016 The Tin Bath (11 coaches) was hauled by 44871 & 45407 we reached 38mph by FCJ, the speed seems typical of other steam trips on which I've travelled. The difference is hardly surprising as the total weight of a 3 car 331 is the same as a single Black 5, the 331 is streamlined and has a rated power of just under 2400hp. Fast and convenient or slow and enjoyable?

 

SVR resident Stanier Mogul 13268 to return to the main line with Vintage Trains

Looks like Stanier Mogul 13268 is going back on the main line.
Not April fools day, is it?

 

No it’s not April 1st. As a member of the fund I got an email announcing this but wasn’t sure if it was confidential but it appears it’s not.

A bit if good news on the mainline steam front for a change.

 

Looks a cracking tour and looking forward to this, got a party of 4 booked , including a friend who doesn't normally do steam but has been persuaded by the mix of diesel and steam and the destination

 

Well I didn't see that coming I must admit, great news!

 

I'm guessing it will be used on the Polar's first, I could be wrong. There is a Worcester Shakey at the start of the November, so it could be available in time for that. I did hear that it be fully decked out in Polar insignia, so us purists may have to bide our time. S&C Load 9 next year please !

 

They are saying later this year but there’s a lot of work to do fitting TPWS, GMSR and OTMR equipment, the latter will require a large amount of wiring between engine and tender where I assume the equipment will be located. There will also need to be accreditation paperwork and a test run carried out.

 

The quote from Nick Ralls suggested the Worcester Shakespeare Express would be the first tour to use the Mogul.

 

I wonder will they leave it paired with the small Fowler tender. Wasn't it attached to a 4000 gal Stanier tender last time it was on the main line? I suppose if they run it with VT's water carrier, it won't be that much of a problem, although the 5 ton coal capacity might be a bit limiting.

 

There is no Stanier tender to pair it with and having gone to the trouble of restoring it to as built condition I doubt if they would want to spoil it

 

If I recall correctly, 2968 ran with 5110s tender in the 90s because there was a problem with the Fowler one which has subsequently been rectified. I'm sure @2968 will correct me or expand.

 

Spot on, the Fowler tender has now been totally rebuilt and she currently resides in as built condition - very much doubt they would do anything to spoil that.
The Stanier tender came from 45110 and was conveniently available at that time as 5110 was under overhaul, so a swap took place. We all know that loco was subsequently sold to West Coast and is currently running at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Rly (the unexpected come back of the year number 1!).

 

Yes, 2968 - or 13268, after 56 years I can't get the hang of calling her that! - will run with the correct Fowler tender. The first main line runs used, as acorb says, 5110's Stanier tender while a new tank was built for the Fowler tender. She used this tender for a second time but only on the SVR while her Fowler tender was undergoing overhaul. This option no longer exists.

 

Ais Gill 4 January, 1997.

 

God it was cold! A few minutes earlier . . .

 

Know just what you mean !

 

2968 Aisgill 4th January 1997

 

In case anyone's interested, the old Ford Prefect which appears about 4.18 was and still is mine!

 

Will it have rained by then?