Preston To Edinburgh

Hi
anyone know what sort of time it would take by steam to run Preston to Edinburgh?

 

Mmmm is this the next venture?.....

 

It was done last year: 7h02m including water stops.

 

thats a long time :noidea:

 

A couple of weeks ago, Tornado took just over 5 hours hours in each direction from Preston to Glasgow and back. I guess that Preston to Edinburgh would be similar, although Torbado only needed one water stop in each direction - other Locos may need two.

 

Have a look at diesel hauling the train from your starting point up to Carlisle. Put steam on there and take it off at the same spot. That way will save you a lot of time plus your starting and finishing times will be a lot more customer friendly. (Or put steam on at Carnforth to give the punters Shap & Beattock - there are various options to consider)

 

Link to times for Tornado trip http://www.uksteam.info/tours/t11/t0921a.htm

 

Problem with Carnforth is that it may mean that the only chance passengers get to actually see the loco is at Edinburgh.

 

If you were going to go specifically to Edinburgh the best option would probably be diesel haulage as far as York.

 

If Carnforth was used as the starting point for steam, the passengers, if they so wished, would have at least 20 minutes at Carlisle to have a look/photograph etc whilst the locomotive took water there. These are just options and no more.

 

Preston to York is quite a good day trip. Choice of routes, options for pick-up stops en route, popular destination, some good climbs for the steam enthusiasts.

 

Steam trains running through to Sotland don't normally water at Carlisle, at best they stop for 2 mins for crew change. watering is normally done at Penrith and Lockerbie [down loop] although passengers are normally allowed out at Penrith.

 

Hello,
after speaking to various people I think it will be too long a day so may look at an alternative. Thank you all for your feedback it was most welcome.

 

Why not? It means you can attract punters from built up centres of Preston,Leeds and York,maybe Newcastle too,not to mention people who dont want to cross the pennines to board.

Spitfire go via York to Eboro regularly with diesel charters.

 

37's don't need to stop for a top up every 70 miles or so...

 

As I said,diesel to York then steam from there. Think you will find when its all added up thats it not a great deal slower than going WCML then presumably turn off at Cstairs. I thought it had been done before that way hence why I said it.



Presumably then you would be looking at timings similar to those Tornado achieved to Glasgow,minus the top bit obviously? Certainly a do-able day out whether it goes West or East coast,all down to the operator.

Has to be said however to go via ECML it would probably have to be off earlier.

 

In fairness passengers will travel for a variety of reasons and the chance to SEE the locomotive at the head of the train may NOT be one of them. As a passenger on the Tornado trip to Glasgow it is fair to say that some passengers were sufficiently content to be hauled by steam with a chance to take the obligatory "we were pulled by steam" shot at Crewe or Glasgow hence the rapid dispersal at Glasgow as many passengers wandered off to sample Glasgow in the sun.

If the Tour of Hope is looking for options then I offer :

(1) Crewe - Carlisle - Edinburgh by steam throughout; on Tornado this gave 4 hours in town but a departure at 18:23 resulted in late arrival at Crewe - a point to consider.

(2) 86.259 [ or certified AC Electric Group loco ] Euston - Carlisle then steam Carlisle - Edinburgh using the suburban line to arrive in Waverley facing west

(3) AC Electric Crewe - Carlisle; Steam Carlisle - Edinburgh; 55022 Edinburgh - Newcastle - Carlisle; AC Electric Carlisle - Crewe

(4) Modern Traction Crewe - Carlisle - Edinburgh; Steam traction on Fife Circle [as SRPS routeing] - possibly as an optional extra allowing Edinburgh locals chance to join train using seats vacated by passengers arranging to detrain at Edinburgh; Modern Traction Edinburgh - Carlisle - Crewe

Each of these options will appeal to specific market sectors but possibly enough to beat this year's remarkable figure of £40K.