Cumbrian Coast 2, 14/6/2014

If the 8f is ok for the wcml section timing wise it's probably the sensible choice as it's arguably most suited of the fleet to the coastal pootle which is the longer steam section.

 

Come to think of it, when was the last time the 8 hauled a tour over Shap ?

 

I always find it strange that some people get etickets, and others don't. Do you put a special request for an eticket in the booking form or is it luck of the draw? I'm assuming my own ticket is in the post...

 

I never had to request for an eticket from either RTC or Steam Dreams when I have booked on line. When I have booked over the phone with Steam Dreams, to get my members club discount, they have always asked if an eticket is ok.

 

So its luck of the draw, as the only eticket I have received from RTC was for the Kent trip last November. Interesting. I've emailed them anyway to find out what the procedure is, as it would help quite a bit.

 

4th October 2003 I believe, working a Carnforth-Shap-Carlisle (& return) charter; and she had 13 on - happy days!

 

Thanks, I'll look forward to seeing the footage ? Should be noisy and if she hits the foot of the bank (shap) at 50 she should be doing something near at the summit !

 

An 8F on Shap for the first time in 11 years? That's a pleasant bonus from my perspective. Here's to a good slog up the hill...

 

Be interesting to see what happens up Shap, if they get looped at Tebay.

 

With regards to the coastal section, how do they ensure that no one looks out of the windows between Carlisle and Maryport? I noticed from pictures on the last trip that people looked out after that section but did everyone have to stay seated during that leg?

Slightly concerned we might be pushed by a diesel to ensure we keep to schedule over Shap. Will the 8F be able to keep time? (Not wishing to start a debate, genuinely wondering!)

 

The climb of Shap shouldn't really be the problem, as an 8F is designed for that sort of thing with heavy loads. I anticipate that the problem will actually be on the faster section through Penrith when it will continually hit the 50mph limit, give or take a few mph. Looking at a specific point on the route, say Oxenholme, the next service after this is a VT service to Glasgow, which is not due through until 12:06. Gives the tour a 20-minute margin if it hasn't kept to time. I think it will be a case of 'see what happens' on the day, but I'd be surprised if there is a diesel on the back.

 

Whenever I book with RTC online my ticket has always been an eticket, I've never requested or said how I prefer my ticket to be sent but so far have always been an eticket.

 

Incidentally, my ticket arrived in the post today. Having emailed them yesterday, etickets are now the norm, but I think in my case, I'm still getting tickets sent by post because my entered dispatch address is different to my billing address. That's how I understand it, anyway. There's no issue, I was just curious about how the system worked.

 

I wouldnt be surprised if we get looped at Penrith.

 

Does anyone know of a spare ticket for this trip?
The Railway Touring Company haven't had any cancellations and I'd really like to be on it...

 

I think you are dead right about PENRITH Paul. With a twenty minute gap between the special and the VT at Oxenholme it's going to be all over us by the time we get to Penrith. Not checked to see what follows that first VT. We'll say hello I'm sure sometime Saturday.

 

Les was selling some of the stewards seats in Standard last Sunday on the day. If you have not go far to travel to one of the pick up points, it might be worth turning up and asking Les.

 

Thanks for the suggestion, am I right in thinking Les is the train manager? I can get to Preston which would probably be the best station to try, though it's about 60 miles from home, I've travelled on the winter CME's this year and it's quite a brief stop, a bit of a long shot, but does anyone have the train managers mobile number..? Or the ability to pass on mine ?

many thanks

 

Yes Les is the train manager.