LE Movements, ECS and Test Runs 2018

Destined for Toton Depot for tyre turning, should be back in Fort William within a week according to Ian's update on Facebook.

 

My mates footage of 44871 being dragged to Carnforth seen at Docker .

 

Any idea what this is? http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55170/2018/07/19/advanced

 

Must be a solo diesel. The "0" in 0V42 implies a light engine - steam with POB would be class-5, ECS; timing speed = 75 also implies something with better brake-force that a steam loco - even with POB, a steam loco would be limited to 45 or 50

 

The Wensleydale Railway have confirmed 35018 will operate on their line this weekend (21st and 22nd July), arriving on Friday morning from York.

 

A glimpse into the future, perhaps ...... ?

 

Aysgarth falls station has been sold to a railway enthusiast !.

 

Now funnily enough, his name is Mr. Smith..

 

OK, here's a thing. This is the move from Crewe to Manchester Piccadilly for whatever (supposed to be a Jubilee but I'm presuming it'll be diesel) is hauling the North Wales Coast Express on Sunday: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55149/2018/07/22/advanced

I'd assumed it would take the diversion route between Stockport and Manchester, coming off the WCML main trunk at Heaton Norris and rejoining at Ardwick. However it has it passing Slade Lane Junction which is on the main trunk. But it doesn't list the intermediate stations (Heaton Chapel and Levenshulme). Am I missing something? I would take the presence of Slade Lane to mean it's taking the direct route, but the usual route for steam tours is the diversion.

I'm still quite unfamiliar with a lot of this so my assumption is I've missed something but I can't work out what.

 

You do surprise me.

 

Yeah, I get that. The bit that's confusing me is which of the two routes it'll take. The only way you can do all three junctions (Heaton Norris, Slade Lane, Ardwick) is via the route that also covers Levenshulme and Heaton Chapel, but they aren't on the timings.

I'd imagine platform 14 is more easily accessed via the Levenshulme route, but from what I've seen the second route via Ashburys is more commonly used.

 

Surprised no-one else has picked this up (or have I missed the thread?) - Steam Dreams has been sold to David Buck, owner of 61306. Presumably this brings it to the fringes of West Coast Railways and closer operational ties.

 

According to the map that I'm consulting, if you turn right at Heaton Norris you can get to Victoria but there's no way to get to Ardwick and Piccadilly.

 

Yeah, I'm getting my lines confused. You're right. Thanks.

Bit odd that the stations it passes through don't feature, though. I thought RTT just listed everywhere a train passes on a journey, stop or not.

 

Times on for BIL visit to wensleydale
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/O22003/2018/07/20/advanced

 

David Buck has been Chairman of Steam Dreams since December last year, so I guess it may just be that he is now the major shareholder.

 

Diesel+44871+POB heading to Bristol for Sunday's Royal Duchy:

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/O22303/2018/07/21/advanced

 

Riley International rescue again, Long way to come to just be in light Steam on sunday.