The Red Dragon

Does anyone know what will be covering for OC on this one? Lizzie or EME ?

I've had two trips cancelled this week and I'd hate for there to be another casualty.

 

According to latest Steam Railway magazine, 70013 is hoped to be on this trip, but the GCR Email newsletter suggests that its a bigger job than first thought. I would imagine it would be 6201, but thats dependent on any gauging issues on the South Wales route.

 

Agree that it seems a bit ambitious to have Ollie ready for this tour. Most likely replacements? Lizzie, if she's still at Tyseley, or else 5043 - provided her spark arrester is in good order. (Given the recent problem with Bittern, I would not be surprised if 5043 is also getting the once-over - last time I saw her after dark, there were a lot of sparks reaching the ground.)

 

Think since that pyrotechnic video of 5043 on Hatton Bank when she was newly overhauled she has had a new spark arrestor which is much more effective, think there was a bit on it in one of the mags a while back.

Be a pity if 70013 doesn't make it, a Canton Brit with a Red Dragon headboard and GWR reporting number would be a tasty sight.

 

I don't mind what is on the front just a case of fingers crossed that it runs.

 

If the "brit" is not ready [and I hope it is] then surely it must be a Castle to Swansea. Nothing else would really be appropriate.

 

You can uncross your fingers.

 

I hope you're right.
Having booked on the Lickey trip at late notice specifically for 6201, I would be much happier with 5043 to Swansea or even 4965 all the way! I'm fickle like that! Will 5029 still be at Didcot then........ just teasing. On a serious note hope the Brit is back soon.

 

Any ideas what time we are setting off for this one? VT are not sure and I have a 2.5 hr drive to get to Solihull

 

Unlike most other promoters, Vintage Trains rarely give you a clue of the times they've requested, but I think we can probably assume for this one that it will be a very early start and a very late finish (the trip with Tornado to Swansea on 1st March passed Didcot at 10.48 in the morning and returned at 21.15. Add to that the time for 4965 to get from Solihull to Didcot and back and you can get a rough idea!

 

Will VT be using the new GUV water carrier on this trip? This would cut the number of water stops and hopefully make the trip a little more sociable timescale wise! I'm looking to book on this one now the Cornishman has been postponed so hopefully there are still some standard seats left-still in need of a steam fix!
Would be nice to have 6201, i've yet to have her on the mainline and her future is uncertain, though 5043 would be a great substitute.

 

I think its now at Carnforth. It went north with 5972 a couple of weeks ago.

 

If Lizzie deputised for Oliver Cromwell would it be more appropriate to call the train 'The Red Loco'? eep:

On a serious note, I was really looking forward to seeing a 'Brit' with all the WR additions on the front (reporting numbers, headboard etc). We've already seen a 'Castle' with the Red Dragon adornments this year, which looked fab... ah well... hwell:

 

Got seats! When the mrs booked this today the VT lady said it would be either 70013 or 6201, no mention of 5043. Really looking forward to this whatever is on the front.

 

uksteam now says "70013/(46201)" updated today, which seems to imply that it is more likely to be the Brit than the Princess.

 

5305 LA website shows next event that uses one of their locos is 30777 on 19th June, and on a news update dated 4th June it says 70013 boiler repairs are still ongoing and the locos driving springs have now been sent away for overhaul whilst the loco is out of use. So I would say it's more likely to be the Princess rather than the Brit.

Dave B

 

You are reading too much into this ! It is merely that 70013 is the first choice (if available) and 46201 is the back up.

I'm just a bit disappointed that it isn't 5043 which was a South Wales engine for a while (at 87G), and would probably have hauled the Red Dragon in days gone by.

David

 

I am also disappointed it will not be 5043 on this trip should 70013 not be available. Nothing whatsoever against 6201, indeed one needs to get runs behind "Lizzie" in the bag as it has now less than 2 yrs to go on its already extended boiler certificate. However as this trip is part of Vintage Trains GWR175 series and the route is 100% GW, plus the fact Castles were mainstay power on London - Swansea trains I do believe 5043 should have been chosen as the back-up loco.

 

Ditto - I was hoping for 5043 on this one as well, but I suppose that 6201 is the easier option as it's already down south whereas 5043 would require a light engine movement from Tyseley.

 

I too was hoping for 5043. I've had two runs and two failures with His Grace so he owes me one. Had a great run to York with 6201 though so I'm only very mildly disappointed. As for LE movements, LE from London or LE from Tys, wouldn't have thought it would make much difference.