Britannia to Shrewsbury 23 November

Interesting development on this one. Previously this was steam-hauled Bristol/Shrewsbury/Bristol only(and is still shown as such on UKSteam), however just had an email from SD saying it is now steam throughout except Bristol/London.

Quite tempting, but I am extremely wary of anything involving DBS. i.e. will it run as advertised(or at all!) 67 on back all day?....

 

Steam Dreams no longer use DBS, they recently switched to WCRC. As WCRC do not use Tornado I suspect we will see an alternative loco on this one, if it runs.

Dave

 

The Autumn/Winter Brochure states diesel hauled from Bristol to London on the return, but I do not thing the website has always stated this.

 

When Steam Dreams announced they were returning to West Coast, they stated the last tour using DBS would be this trip.

 

OK, missed that. Accounts for why it is still showing as DBS on UK Steam.

 

Clearly you missed the bit about the 23 Nov trip in the announcement re. SD switching to WCRC:

Statement to Railway press re DBS and West Coast Sept 2013 dated 6 September 2013

STEAM DREAMS DECIDES TO MOVE FROM DBS TO WEST COAST

Steam Dreams,the promoters of The Cathedrals Express steam hauled train, has announced that with effect from the beginning of October it will transfer its train operating contract to West Coast Rail. The company’s new agreement with West Coast commences on 3rd October with an Alton to Canterbury return train and, apart from its 23rd November train from Waterloo to Ludlow and Shrewsbury, it has been agreed that 100% of The Cathedrals Express operations will be with West Coast until December 2016 at the earliest.

 

Steam Dreams are advertising this as the last run with Tornado on a Cathedral's Express and indeed Tornado's last railtour until Mid 2014 (programmed overhaul if the e-mail is to be believed).

 

I've had that email too - with the confirmation that it's diesel hauled Bristol-London on the return. Mail arrived yesterday evening. Obviously not a sold out trip as yet.

Mark

 

From the A1 Steam Trust website : -The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, builders and operators Tornado, commented on the announcement that Steam Dreams is to move its operations from DB Schenker to West Coast Railway Company, "This year has been a very difficult year for those of us running steam on the main line – exacerbated by DBS's crew resourcing issues. Whilst in the short term Steam Dreams' decision will mean that Tornado will be hauling fewer trains on the main line, the Trust was already looking at different and better ways of running Tornado and these plans will now be brought forward. Tornado will also be undergoing her planned 5 year intermediate overhaul in the first half of 2014."

 

Yes I too have had that email.If I believed that Tornado was going to work all the way from Waterloo to Shrewsbury then I might book in this though I suspect not and in any case it will almost certainly have a 67 on the back. I have asked Steam Dreams to clarify.

Don

 

Please let us know the answer

 

Steam Dreams have replied as follows:

''Subject: RE: 23 November Farewell to 60163 Tornado
Good Morning,

This trip has now changed from steam haulage Bristol-Shrewsbury-Bristol to London-Shrewsbury-Bristol.

Kind Regards


Steam dreams''

 

Although the main times are not in the system yet there are some DBS light engine times:

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U53387/2013/11/23/advanced

and

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U53392/2013/11/23/advanced

which would suggest the diesel is to be detached at Salisbury and then run to Bristol TM to pick up the return?

If so, Tornado on the Marches line without assistance is rather tempting

 

In recent years all the Nov/Dec runs with Tornado, and 6024, to Ludlow and Salop have been box-free over the Marches - with good performances. At Salop the empty stock is pulled forward into Coton Hill Yard (or what's left of it), the loco then runs round the stock and turns on the triangle - so no need for an additional shunter.

 

Full timing are now on Steam Dreams website...

http://www.steamdreams.co.uk/executables/GT410WebContent.exe?ActionCode=Timings

 

Anyone know if anything's happened to the big blue engine on the NVR? Saturday's LE movement was cancelled as 60163 was unavailable.

 

By the way, well off topic, the brilliant quote 'Keep as cool as you can Face piles of trials with smiles' from the legendary Moody Blues' On the Threshold of a Dream Album was penned by Graeme Edge. It still brings back memories of the amazing 1969 Concert tour when Ray Thomas' dulcet tone completed 'In the beginning' as Inner man:
Inner Man:
There you go, man Keep as cool as you can
Face piles of trials with smiles It riles them to believe
That you perceive
The web they weave...
And keep on thinking free
Keep thinking free ....