Any Questions?

York Circle looks attractive for this; water stop at Harrogate and Leeds should cover the circuit nicely !

 

Go anti clockwise and get that lovely climb up to Bramhope tunnel. Plenty of "stack talk" then.

 

In the past, when the Panniers have gone for a ramble with the water-van, they've used it very much like a road tanker, pumping from the van to the loco tanks during a stop. You still need as many stops, but it's not necessary to stop where there's road access.

 

Panniers on The Shakespeare. That is an idea.
That Copy Pit Tour w/5043 in 2011, Did it sell well? Would that be something to be considered for the Fall.

 

Any chance of Cardiff to Llandod charters to tie in with the Royal welsh ? Seeing as this is mid week with a bit of clever planning surely a tour over full length of the line could preceded it and take the stock home. I know a lot of local business would support it with sponsorship.

 

Seemed quite full to me, I suspect the biggest issue with that was the destination, Blackburn doesn't have that romantic ring to it, soon dispelled the silly notion than Miles Platting is some sort of hill.

 

Have to agree with David there. It was a great trip, but I would have preferred a break in e.g. Huddersfield.

A few other suggestions (with 5043 as motive power):

1. Tyseley to Chester, outward via Crewe and returning via Wrexham and Shrewsbury, allowing Gresford bank to be flattened en-route.
2. Tyseley to Norwich - a lovely city and a mecca for real ale fans. Facilities for turning, servicing and stabling stock. I think the water carrier would be required to maximise the time in Norwich. Thinks: might this be the first visit to Norfolk by a GWR Castle?
3. Castle to Scotland II - a 2-day trip overnighting in Glasgow and allowing some unfinished business re. Beattock to be completed.

Nick M.

 

That's a nice idea. And while the stock is in Cardiff, send the panniers down to run some T&T trips over the Valley Lines network.

Nick M.

 

Could also Carmarthen - Fishguard T&T

 

Some nice ideas to tempt Ben and his GWR proclivities [we'll forgive him that since it's Christmas !] but suggestions need to consider that Panniers will need re-watering every 20 miles or so - else no go !

 

Definitely, T&T panniers shouldn't be too hard to timetable in on a Sunday on most of the Valley lines and they could stable at Barry.

 

What's the distance from Cardiff General to Rhymney, Merthyr and Treherbert ?, if Rhymneys as long as it feels, that could be borderline for water going uphill all the way unless there's a suitbale place to pull over for a drink.

 

I'm sure there's bound to be a pub close to the lineside............................................................

 

Cardiff-Rhymney is 23.94 miles, Cardiff-Treherbert is 25.83 miles & Cardiff-Merthyr is 24.81 miles.

 

Indeed. Or perhaps they could stable at Cardiff Canton (a former haunt of 5043, by the way) if Arriva Trains Wales were being supportive of the venture. In fact, the co-operation of ATW would likely be a pre-requisite.

Nick M.

 

And let's not forget Cardiff-Aberdare 22.5 miles. I think both the mainline registered panniers were shedded at Aberdare for a time, so a return to their old stamping ground would be most appropriate.

Nick M.

 

i would think a tour around the london branches would be with the panniers financially do able, if it could be different regions over several week ends, for instance, paddington brentford and the southall area one week end, then the southern branches the following, they could be shedded and serviced at Southall during this time, if something could be done with other tour operators, such as Steam Dreams to hire the engines, for other tours mid week, such as , how about a tour out round north kent, if topping and tailing then some of the thames side branches could see steam for the first time since the 50,s. if its short tours, then catering will not be needed , except for the positioning runs, i would love to see the panniers do a north kent run, out via sole street, to ashford then along the marsh line to Hastings,to eastbourne, where they could be serviced , run the stock round then back turning left to brighton and an early evening run along the brighton main to victoria. water stops on the way out should be do able, and is there enough places on the brighton line to water?

 

I woulden't fancy your chances of a 45MPH path on the Brighton Main prior to 11PM.

 

Almost certain a Brighton to Victoria mainline with 45MPH Panniers is out of the question, unless as David1984 said very, very late at night and who would want that?

 

You would be surprised at the willingness of some enthusiasts to travel at any time and whatever distance to do such a thing; Ben's only problem is finding enough of them on a specific date to cover the cost of running such a charter !