Lakelander 14/8/19 (Saphos Trains)

70000 at Winwick, Woodhouse and Greenholme

 

Some of the costs of running a light engine around are absorbed by reduction in coal and water consumption plus there is better point to point performance/timekeeping reducing delay attribution risks (that is unless the steam starts starts struggling and could have used a little assistance albeit happens less when you lose circa 120t of drag on the rear/DIT). The main merits of tagging the diesel about are usually if you need it on for shunting/train supply/rescue risk/fire risk purposes (add/delete as appropriate) as most of us are aware. Each train therefore has to be weighed up on its own merits. The potentially lower number/proprtion of people travelling who won't book if diesels are in the consist on steam legs might be a commercial consideration, but would probably rarely have the final vote on the issue if the above things have to be satisfied first.

There are no enormous margins by the time you factor in maintenance/risks/running costs of an in-house set up although there are sidelines ones' charter resources can be used for to make the overall yields of a company better, e.g traincrew hire, asset hire, maintenance contracts/restoration projects for third parties if any slack exists to offer them, which it frequently doesn't in those early days of a new TOC/stock/loco operation when staff and available assets are thinner on the ground.

That said if you are operating in-house it's not impossible to have your singular operation overheads at as low as one third that of a promoter coming to you and running that same trip so if you can run in house whilst it's more hassle sometimes you get control over things more and can generate better yields and need a lower number of passengers to hit break even although good yields are still needed as otherwise there's no money to restore or maintain your assets or pay other bills so every train being a third full would be a quick problem. However, at least on a full train you get to keep more of the sales turnover than if its a one off hire operation to a third party.

 

70000 in the rain at Shap Wells and near Silverdale on the return .

 

70000 on today's Lakelander in Lancaster

 

For once I didn't 'do a Winskill' and ventured out into the wet gloom to Woodacre (only 15 miles from my door). This is the result, I know, I know!! @henrywinskill

 

That’s a cracker John with the Willow herb setting it off nicely

 

You're a brave man, I hope you had your brolly with you.

 

The only good thing I can say about it is, the rods are down LOL.

 

Nah...but looking on the bright side, since losing over 4 stones, there is plenty of room for my camera inside the front of my waterproof jacket!

 

'Britannia' lays down the power as it heads the 'Lakelander' through Benson Hall towards Grayrigg in very wet conditions



No. 70000 'Britannia' comes to a stand at Thwaite Flat near Dalton in Furness while awaiting the road with the return leg of the 'Lakelander' to Crewe

 

70000 seen at a dismal Shap Wells then later at Silverdale.

 

Common sense & the forecast said to stay at home but with the limited opportunities to see a Brit round the coast I took a chance. I'm glad I did.
70000 at Benson Hall, Cowperthwaite & Eskmeals.


https://www.flickr.com/photos/167082436@N06/48539019102/in/album-72157710314082256/


https://www.flickr.com/photos/167082436@N06/48538679991/in/album-72157710314082256/


https://www.flickr.com/photos/167082436@N06/48538845157/in/album-72157710314082256/

Further views at Green Road & Leyland at https://www.flickr.com/photos/167082436@N06/albums/72157710314082256

Phil

 

Carlisle

 

I think it looks great, considerably better than my dismal effort from Wraysholme which was rapidly deleted, the 6 year old (who wisely turned down the offer to venture out with me and get wet) had to do with watching some videos on You Tube!

 

It was a very good day out yesterday which we thoroughly enjoyed. Saphos, as ever were excellent.

When given the opportunity, 70000 put on brilliant displays of power and fast running. The paths were very stop start, but still gave opportunity for the loco to show her paces. The climb of Grayrigg was frustrating, as it was developing into something quite special before the loco was eased for the loop. Shap was another good effort, with a minimum of 33.5mph in challenging conditions. The descent to Carlisle contained much braking to contain enthusiasm, but with lots of running in the mid/high seventies, it was sufficient to turn a 5 min late departure into a similarly early arrival. This was much appreciated by all, considering the shortened break!
Throughout the day, late service trains threatened to spoil Britannia's timekeeping, throughout the day she kept clawing back any delays - she was superb, with very noisy accelerations that were audible in the air conditioned coach 10 back!
330 miles of unassisted steam, lots of fast running, good hill climbing and timekeeping - the Cumbrian Coast looked mean and moody, even the sun made an appearance briefly! We even saw some train spotting seals!
Thanks to all involved, especially the effort to retime the return, we for one were very grateful for the 19:30 arrival.

 

Thanks for posting this, was hoping someone would be filming here - 76mph on the GPS!

 

Agree 100%. Superb day out. Very professional and slick operation from Saphos/LSL, both on board and operating the train - getting Britannia coaled, watered and serviced in just over an hour at Carlisle was a tremendous effort. Britannia is a real beast at the moment and a very impressive machine indeed. The climb to Grayrigg was indeed something special, we were still doing 75 at Milnthorpe, 59 at Oxenholme and holding 50 past Hay Fell before easing for the loop.