The Welsh Mountaineer 2014

Times are now up on Realtime Trains for the first run this year of The Welsh Mountaineer tomorrow:

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50501/2014/07/29/advanced

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50502/2014/07/29/advanced


Looks like 8F 48151 is booked for this train.

Cheers

Alan

 

Wonder if it'll be the 8F unassisted or with a box? Also Ralph mentioned in another thread it might be the K4?

 

The Marquess dep Carnforth 0535 with the ECS to Preston, no diesel.

Andrew N

 

61994 on the outward journey before any mountaineering, at Moore, Guilden Sutton and Chester;

 

Terrific panned shot at the racecourse Austin. Thanks for sharing.

Cheers

Alan

 

Presumably Ralph because Wales, like Manchester, is wet so often!

 

Thanks chaps, much appreciated

 

I understand from another forum 61994 needed to stop for blow ups on the branch and was 48 mins late arriving at Blaenau Ffestiniog. Very unusual for the K4 to run short of steam; I did the same tour a couple of years ago and barely noticed the climb, we absolutely flew up there.

 

IIRC, 61994 is rather sensitive to poor coal and needs careful firing. The box is quite small and the firebox door particularly low and small, even for a Gresley loco. ;-) A friend of mine followed her on the West Highland on GB6 (I think) where she had to stop several times to recover the fire, including the top of the climb from Ardlui to Crianlarich, less than a mile from the station. She was well over an hour late when she eventually passed Bridge Of Orchy.

 

Post deleted by request

Andrew N

 

A friend onboard is saying the K4 is having the fire rebuilt at Llandudno .

Latest update from the train is the K4 will carry on to Chester to receive diesel assistance for the rest of the journey .

 

Ironical that.

When so many other steam tours have to have diesel assistance due to fire risk, one steam loco that is allowed out on it's own is said to need diesel assistance for loco reasons. If that is what is going to happen of course, we'll wait for a final report on that to be sure.

I feel for the loco crew whom I imagine have been working rather hard today in, presumably, still quite warm weather in Wales?

 

Update saying still at Llandudno with the crew don't think they can make Chester as boiler pressure down to 105 . Awaiting further info .

 

47245 is on its way, dep Carnforth 1835, due Llandudno Junc 2040.

RTT still shows 1Z27 at Llandudno Junc at 1956.

Very unfortunate for all concerned.

Andrew N

 

Passengers have been put on a sprinter to get them home been told .

 

Very sad news, but it didn't seem to be running well earlier on its return IMO.
Obviously don't know the problem and found out failed when I arrived at Pensarn to take further shots. Will await official release of problems but if not faulty crews should be able to keep the engine running properly?
You see bad firing sometimes on route with the virtually black smoke hanging over the valley.
Re weather here in North Wales it has been very hot for weeks but did have a few heavy showers overnight last couple of nights and some light rain today.

 

Sad news about 61994. I have just watched a video sent to my YT account (from acw71000) and she didn't sound like she was in the best of health.