70000 The William Shakespeare 12/05/11

I know it may be several weeks before this excursion departs, but is anyone booked on it? I'm boarding at Leeds. It will be nice to see and ride behind Brittania for the first time (Well, my first time, too young to have even heard of it in the 1990s)

 

I was looking at the tour George but as it's mid week I decided against. The last time I checked it was sold out in Standard and almost in First. Maybe they will run a repeat on a weekend ? well I'm hoping.... should be a noisy tour at the front end !
Brian

 

Well i booked in standard class well in advance at the beginning of the year. It probably is fully booked now but i knew it'd fill up fast. Yeah hopefully they'll repeat it if it's a success but who knows? It'll be the first direct train from York to Stratford in many years i guess... or ever for me as the Golden age of steam was some 25 years before my time.

 

We booked on it a while ago when it was to be hauled by Tornado but are quite happy with 70000.
Leeds would be nearer for us but I couldnt resist adding the York departure for even more variety.

 

It's an odd but interesting route to Stratford. I presume the engine has to turn round at Leeds since it can't go back up north towards Doncaster and Sheffield?

 

According to the RTC site, it goes from Leeds to Doncaster via Micklefield, so thats North out of Leeds without any turning.

 

its shown as going round the york - harrogate circle, so wi;ll be facing north at leeds

 

Am Looking forward to boarding this Railtour in 41/2 weeks. An excellent replacement Loco for Tornado. This will be the 1st time i'll have seen and be hauled by "Brittania" A new engine for me this is.

 

Sorry i was also meant to say there must be direct lines it can take from Miclefielld to Doncaster then.

 

The route from Leeds is Micklefield, South Milford, Hambleton West Jn, Hambleton South Jn, Temple Hirst Jn, ECML, Doncaster.

 

Many thanks for the Info there. Nice to see it joins the East Coast Mainline for a short length. My guess is it'll travel at high speed through Doncaster since Steam excursions don't often stop there.

 

Turning off for Mexboro' and Sheffield it will be slow speed as it has to cross over and take the triangle.

 

Yes that's a line i use on a regular basis but never been behind steam on it.

 

Hopefully I will be able to get out and see this somewhere after school. Can't wait to see 70000 as I will miss her first visit to Stratford on the 23rd April.

 

Sounds like a quick job fitting valve rings then.

 

On another thread is says that Bittern could be rostered for this trip as 70000 is unavailable.

 

Wonder what the problem is there then? Surely the loco hasn't run anywhere near the mileage to warrant this level of repair work yet?

 

On the contrary perhaps its still settling in. Still a bit disappointing considering the work thats gone into it.

 

Are A4's within guage around the York circle Knaresboro', Harrogate etc? I have a feeling they are not. If out of guage it looks like one of the more interesting sections of the itinerary could be lost.