ELR 3 Diesel Running

55022, 40145 and 37418 will now run on Saturday 29th August on the East Lancashire Railway making this day diesel powered haulage alone.

 

Thoroughly enjoyed my visit today, 37418 and 40145 "turning on the power".

Shame for Joe Public who were asking about steam at regular intervals....

 

What happened to the steam fleet ?

What steam is available at the ELR currently ?

 

None at the moment.

Austerity 2183 and Jinty 47324 both stopped for repairs.

S160 5197 back at Churnet Valley for overhaul.

While recent ELR based/visiting locos (45407, 45231, 6201, 71000, 5690, 76079, 92214, 1300) are either at other locations / mainline duties or under repairs.

HTH

 

Yes, I can imagine 'Joe Public' being perplexed. Whilst an enthusiast can see the value of 'heritage diesels' I don't see it drawing in the general public in huge numbers and without them there will be a huge funding gap for the future.

Is the steam locomotive availability THAT BAD on the ELR ? They used to havesuch a high reputation in this business

 

WOW...the major bank holiday weekend, with a teddy bears picnic on monday...not having a steam locomotive available is unfortunate...

As much I'd love to be there for this EE Super power display..I cant help thinking turning out a Large Logo Blue 40, Blue Deltic and EWS red 37/4...im my opinion hardly meets the historical theme expectation and aesthetic appeal to the public for day out...

A bit of Greenery might have been a bit better on what's probably the more "family" orientated busier weekends...even if it's only the DMU .

How are the public handling it ? (There's nothing on the website)... I assume there's steam today / tomorrow, there advertising 2 in steam on their website today.. and teddy bears picnic tomorrow ?

 

It's not just ELR, there is a national shortage of good reliable locos. The SVR has had to hire 4936 to help over the summer. Those lines that are lucky enough to have them are keeping hold of them to run what services they have advertised, while everyone else looks on in envy.

 

There are indeed very few railways with locos to spare and the main line fleet isn't any better, really. For a change, this year the NYMR hasn't been hand to mouth for steam locos, thanks in some part to a reorganisation of the diagrams which reduced the number of steam locos required on a daily basis to 4 from last years 5/6. The big problem on the NYMR has turned out to be steam driver availability, leading to diesel substitutions on occasion for that reason alone. Next year may well see the Railway with locos in abundance, if all turns out as expected. Galas aside, the home fleet should be filled by 825, 6619, 30926, 45212, 45428, 49395, 53809, 60007, 63395, 75029 & 76079, all of these being expected to be operational. 44767, 44871 and 45407 have also all been mentioned along the way but whether they come to the party remains to be seen!

 

The NYMR may also have 29 and 69023 at some point, but is 49395 confirmed for next year?

 

How much is the ELR offering for a steam locomotive per steaming ?
I think that may have a lot to do with it, if thats determined by revenue stream then it doesnt bode well.

As the recent marketing study said, the ELR is rather good at promoting major events and gaining revenue from it, but day in day out passenger loadings are not very high..

this would suggest the public in the area either don't know or don't care to visit..and therefore it isnt either a high quality day out or it's not selling itself locally.

Given it's approximation to Manchester.. thats surprising.. it could be in the same league as the Severn Valley is to Birmingham.

Personally I think the ELR is a reasonable day out (it could be better, but couldnt they all), however it's hardly on the radio / local news papers or touting the local TV, it doesnt seem to promote itself with too many other locals attractions on a day to day basis.. Although Ramsbottom is a great day visit... their car parks are over flowing, traffic is in crisis.. hardly indication of going by rail !.. maybe the council should close the streets on a sunday and a do park n ride ?