Flying Scotsman

I hope that’s not the case. The decision to go with a company with no mainline experience is a strange one. I can understand why the NRM wanted to go with someone else after being with Riley’s for a long time but surely mainline experience is worth its weight in gold. I do have a horrible feeling however that Northern Steam won’t see out its contract but I do hope that if that is the case someone else steps in. If DB is the only TOC to operate it over the next period potentially the number of locations it visits may be limited.

 

Were that to occur and the K1 gets withdrawn from mainline operations, how many ex-LNER locomotives would remain operable? I'm discounting Tornado here as it's a new build.

 

Immediately? 60007, 60532 and 61306.
In the future? 60019 and 61264?

Can't think of anything else which has had a main line ticket at all recently. Mind you right now how many LMS locos remain operable? Excluding Royal Scot I count four.

 

TBF I suspect she wouldn't entirely be off the mainline, just limited to pootling to Whitby?

Has/is 61264 air brake fitted, otherwise same rules apply as per the K1?

 

And if Tornado is discounted as new build, 60532 and 61306 were completed by BR...

 

Other than the British Pulman, what other steam workings does DB now operate? and much of the British Pulman work goes to Clan line which has a tested and reliable relationship with VSOE and DB, I can see this arrangement not ending well, like some others on here, I am half expecting to hear the arrangement has been cancelled, and the NRM in effect allowing Flying Scotsman to end this ticket at Shildon, and York. and then to be mothballed.

 

There's a few more than the four for the LMS i think:

44806 for Whitby
44871
44932
45212
45407
45428 for Whitby

45596
45699

46115

Thats how it currently stands (I think)

 

OK I forgot the Whitby ones. But 44932, 45699 and 46115 are WCR locos so can't be used on the main line unless/until they acquire air brakes can they?

 

They can be used on the main line as much as their owner/operator likes, just not haul anything with fare paying passengers in.

 

Facecloth showing me pciture s of Scotsman in staem at Locomotion today

 

Staem....? ....new eco fuel?...no Yorkshire for steam..tha knows...

 

If It does, I will be very surprised unless Ian Rileys 5's are sidelined for major overhauls, I don't think Carnforth plans to air brake any of its fleet, it will just hire in suitable engines, until it starts to lose money or to many tours get cancelled expect southern based tours to be behind 34028/ 35028, or 45212 northern bases tours to be hauled by 34067, lizzie once done and the dutchess with Rileys 5's holding the fort for now.

 

45212 is out of ticket at the end of this year

 

I heard in the grapevine the other day, that they are fully expecting to head north to Fort Bill. From a source pretty close to the group. Will believe it when I see it

 

46115, https://settle-carlisle.co.uk/the-west-yorkshireman/

 

Pretty good value that trip. Only three left in standard class. Just like the Rail 200 trips in Sept, standard sold out. I'll believe 46115 when I see it!

 

With all the talk about non air braked steam locos, it does make you wonder why WCR don't just tuck a diesel loco in between one of their steam locos and an air braked rake, problem solved! With the usual caveats that they have enough crews for diesel etc

 

The lead loco still has to be able to control the brake so at the very least, it would have to be through piped with a brake handle. and gauge