July 9th 2014.......... End of SR Steam Anniversary run.

And why wouldn't WC want a slice of that action ?

This weekend alone WC have a dozen locos out and about on tours, an extra 2 to cover this business isn't beyond their means.

 

Maybe because DBS want to keep it?

 

Just liked they wanted to keep the Steam Dreams contract ?

 

More a case of "never say never" surely? Things do change over time, presumably the Pullman contract is valuable to DBS as when they were causing appalling problems for Steam Dreams,UKR etc during their "staffing difficulties" recently I don't think they ever cancelled a VSOE trip. However can you say why,in principle, the contract could not go to another TOC such as WCR if the price was right? Just curious.

 

Don't forget that West Ciast operate The Royal Scotsman which is possibly even more up-market than the British Pullman.

 

The Staines route is a real pain in the ar*e for steam tours. Been that way quite a few times and on most occasions we have lost time on this section. A SD trip to Bristol with 6201 some years ago lost time as the loco had severe adhesion problems on the greasy rails.
We now try to avoid going on any trips routed that way as it is an incredibly boring section particularly if we lose the path and have to wait for the road after we get shoved out the way somewhere in the dark. Unfortunately the tour operators don't seem to get much choice over the route out of London these days even if they request a Waterloo departure in the first place.

On the 9th July we are boarding at Woking.

 

So the loco for the 9th July trip still remains a mystery as 70013 has been announced as the loco for most of the rest of the programme of DCE's in the RTC 2014 thread.
Are 34046 or 35028 actually available for this trip or is 35028 definitely not a possible option as WC are operating the tour? Also 35028 has a Pullman duty on Friday 11th.

 

I am hoping for 34046 too as I have not yet travelled behind her on the ML. Trouble is the other loco's rostered for the Torbay trips (5029 & 70000) are currently unavailable and 34046 is down for these runs on the Icons site. I wonder if 4464 will come in to the equation somehow?

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You could well be right there as it has been mentioned in the LE move thread that 34046 has gone to Bristol today for the TE this weekend.

 

Richard Corser( who is the General Manager of Locomotive Services) was involved with the Torbay Express with 6024, when Past Times were the Promoter.
When Torbay Express Limited was set up( after Past Times demise) Richard was a director for 6 months.

 

5029 is doing the first Torbay.
I have no idea about 9 July.

 

I suspect 5029/34046 are going to be used on the TE with one or other standby
Neither was allowed to be made available for the R Duchy this week or next despite no other apparent work hence the very long movement by 45407 which will now also haul the next RD .
I get the feeling that TE is prioritised work for IOS who were seemingly not keen to assist with the June 29 RD
More could be said! It's v sad . Maybe some loco hirers are "hungrier" for work than others.......some owners will work their patch trying to get extra work.......others refuse it even when the loco is clearly available.
45407 clearly did v well yesterday despite NR refusing locally an earlier path off Plymouth as requested by WCRC/ the driver/train manager. The loco was ready and there was no conflict. The answer was " you have to keep to your path"
Next week will be a lot better btw.
So,not everyone is keen to work together for the industry despite large numbers who do try.
Plus-St B available. Minus- v v v sad NR response to a reasoned request that went to control AFAIK
HERES TO THE ROYAL DUCHY!!!

Ps bit off topic. Please move to RTC if appropriate !

 

I don't know the answer, but 34046 has already been tried out on the VSOE Surrey Hills circuit. 60163 is another possibility. Or how about a (slimmer) 6024 which has previously deputised for Clan Line on the VSOE ? Also there is not the slightest reason to think it will not continue to be a DBS job.

 

Latest issue of Heritage Railway has a report saying that 44932 is the likely motive power for the 9th July run. I hope she is in good health for the run.