Atlantic Coast Express 4th-6th Sept.

Its not steam all the way back. The Okehampton-Yeovil Junction section is probobly going to be one of those delightful 47s.

 

With Sir Lamiel, which was proposed for the Waterloo - Westbury leg, spending the Summer on the Wensleydale line, I wonder what will haul this leg?

I have found a gradient profile of the Newquay Branch http://paulsimpson.zenfolio.com/p895100848 best view on slide show option.
The section from St Blazey - Luxulyan includes 2.5 miles approx of 1 in 40. This section includes reverse curves. When I travelled behind 45407 with 7 on in 2007, the diesel which we left behind at St Blazey had to come and assist.

 

Presumably still "Sir Lamiel" Exrtact below taken from 5305la website

"The 'Arthur' finished its stint on the West Somerset Railway recently and moved by road to the Wensleydale Railway on Monday 27th June. It begins work in its new base this Friday and will be in action on many days in July and August. It is expected to move south in early September to take up main line work after a long absence, enforced by factors outside the control of 5305LA".

 

The Wensleydale Railway website shows 30777 hauling steam hauled services in September and October.

I presume then, that a vacum braked set of coaches will be used for the Dorest Coast Express tours in September, since apart from the First leg of the ACE, these are the only mainline trips that 30777 is listed for on UK Steam.

I have just checked the RTC website and 34067 & 70000 are now the only locos in the DCE pool.

 

With the Wensleydale Railway website saying that 30777 is staying there until the end of October and the 34046 Braunton thread saying that 34046 isn't going to be available either, it looks like the ACE is now down to just one of the three planned locos.

 

£249 seems a lot of money to me, considering the middle day is free and you still have to pay accommodation as well, especially when compared to RTC's West Highlander, which is £475 for 4 days including accommodation.

 

I read somewhere that 78019 is going to the Wensleydale Railway from early September, after visiting the Stainmore Railway, and will replace 30777.

 

The ACE is now departing from and returning to Victoria and not Waterloo

 

Wonder if 35028 could stand in for 34046 ?

 

I doubt it, I think she is having a re-tube this summer during its maintenance period.

 

i do sincerely hope that SD and mr bunker can get some SR locos's to do this tour as best he can....
He and the guyz at SD work always amazingly hard to try and sort out disruptions.

am lookin forward to a great tour

 

UKsteam info. now showing 70000 in place of 34046 on the ACE.

 

In April 09 70013 had gauging issues preventing it going to Newquay, so will it be 34067 alone to/from Newquay?

 

It looks like it will be 70000 + 34067 now to Newquay

 

As mentioned above 70013 was ruled out of guage for the Newquay branch a couple of years back on RTC's "Royal Duchy" so I do wonder if NR have not yet got round to guaging 70000. If it is given the go ahead it will be interesting to know how one "Brit" is within guage and the other isn't, or has the guaging restriction been removed.

 

According to UKSteam.info, 777 will be heading south with 70013 on Fri 2nd Sept, in time to take up her role in the ACE. This is very good news.