Jacobite 2011

I know it's still early, but is there any indication of which engines might be working this years Jacobite....?

 

I was going to ask exactly the same thing. Hopefully if 62005 is fit then she'll be back on the roster like previous seasons. The second engine is interesting: with 45231 up for sale, I wonder if it hasn't been sold before the season starts, whether its owner will commit to it working so far north.

Perhaps 44932 might be a candidate to join 62005 (providing she's FTR)? What's happening with 44871 and 45407 this year? Would 45305 and 61994 be available?

Edit: 48151 is another possibility, though it seems to have been a while since it last went up to Fort William. Plenty of options anyway!

 

With 62005 going north to Fort Wiliam on the Cathedrals Explorer on 8th May (a week before the start of The Jacobite season) and not returning south, I think we can assume that it will be on the Jacobite roster. As for the other(s), probably a Black Five (or two), but we'll have to wait and see.

 

45305 will be at the Wensley Dale or Weardale( News item in last months Steam Railway heading and paragraph contradict each other ) for July and August, then it is going to the North Norfolk Gala.

45407 & 44871 are at Severn Valley for an event in May, after being on Cathedrals Explorer.

 

Work required to the boiler is more extensive than originally hoped for and it is likely that the locomotive will undertake some running in before being made available for main-line bookings. As a result the locomotive has been withdrawn from the Cathedrals Explorer and has not been made available for the start of the Jacobite season. A stint in Fort William later in the year has not been ruled out at this stage. HTH

 

Undecided whether to go abroad this autumn or do Scotland again. If 61994 puts in an appearance on the Jacobite then abroad can wait. Have a feeling in my water that it will be K1 and/or Black 5s again this year but time will tell.

 

A comment on Ian Riley's facebook status recently suggested 45231 and 61994 kicking the season off.

 

Very nice, if true, both excellent engines. 45231 makes a hell of a noise going up Beasdale.

 

I am pretty sure that it is Wensleydale for 45305 - not sure where I put the timetable but there is a picture of 45305 on it but no deatil as wto which trains will be steam on the timetable pages as far as I could see.

Steven

 

If that materialises I can see an early season trip to Scotland.

 

It is the Wensleydale according to a thread in the gala's and events.

 

Not disagreeing with you, but is there anything that doesn't make a "hell of a noise" up Beasdale? I'm yet to find a steam loco that doesn't.

 

A Castle?..............

 

156s aren't very impressive...

 

...in just about every way Having said that, the big windows give quite a good panoramic view.

I reckon a Castle would make a fair racket up Beasdale. Hogwarts "Castle" was loud. Would a real Castle be allowed up, not sure which dimensions are the problem on the WHL and whether a Castle would be tighter than a Hall.

 

I travelled behind 62005 on the Jacobite in 2006, and 45407 last August, and have to say the Black 5 was significantly louder (if not absolutely deafening!) when climbing - particularly Beasdale where the 5 nearly made my ears bleed! Proper full regulator job - no messing!

I heard on the grapevine too that the K4 is due to kick off the Jacobite season. Looks to be shaping up to start with the K4 and a Black 5, and perhaps to change later to a Black 5 with the K1. Anyone opening a book on this...?

 

I'd settle for another Black 5, 45305 seems to have a nice beat to her.

When I was up in October when 44871 was running I thought it was quite noticeable the difference between her and 45231 - I've seen 871 elsewhere since she returned to steam and find her quite quiet in comparison with a few other Black 5s out on the mainline (not a criticism just an observation).

 

I've no doubt there are subtle differences between the 5's, but I find it tends to depend who's driving as much as anything. I had a week up there in September when they were really hammering 45231 and it was very loud on all the climbs, but when I was up in June, they were taking it very easy. The Marquess was good though - a very different sound.

 

The K1 would not have to be worked as hard on Beasdale on account of being totally suited with smaller wheels. Shorter cut off - less blast. The fives are slightly too high in the wheel for the road to the isles, although they still perform really well, compared to say the 'Bongo'.

I'd like to see the Regional Engineers face if someone proposed taking a Castle to Mallaig, by the time it got there most of the curves would have been opened out.