RTC 2023

Not entirely sure if the ORR have to continue the exemption beyond 30th Nov regardless. But again I could be wrongs

I always understand they were capped as you state above; but again I could be wrong.

 

I believe there is a regulatory rule that firms (TOCs in this case) must not be disadvantaged during legal action. Effectively the status quo is frozen. That is probably how we have got from spring 23 to today.

 

With reference to the Question for timings for Saturdays York to Edinburgh run….When I checked this morning this said Approximate Times 0725, 0910, 0940 and 1350. It has now been altered to actual times so I imagine they do have some times available now.

 

Timings now on RTT, so I guess something's happening:

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...2/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt&toc=WR

 

Just the job. Thanks.

A couple of hours later than the equivalent trip northbound last year and a bit later southbound, but I can plan on that.

 

OK, yes I agree sometimes diesel assistance is required to help make up time etc but turn back the clock 20 years or so, it was rare to even have a diesel tucked on the tail end. Now a days its a common thing and thing and the damn things are almost always pushing... if your idea of fun is being pushed around by a diesel all day long then thats fine. I'm one of the older folks who remember the best days of steam mainline line.... sadly on many of todays main line steam trips the steam loco is juts a show pony... perhaps loadings need to be looked at again so a steam loco can haul trains on todays network without assistance.

 

I’m afraid you’d be looking at Belmond prices or higher to facilitate eight coach formations…

Where possible, steam will go unassisted. But, when a diesel is in the consist, it is for legitimate reasons.

 

20 years is a long time to be making comparisons on the railway these days...

Lets take Central Scotland, my own area, for example. In the last 20 years, we've seen mass electrification with introduction of new electric fleets, multiple railway line reopenings with their subsequent increase in services into and out of both Glasgow and Edinburgh, and removal of much semaphore signalling around the Stirling area. The resultant increase in service patterns and speeds (both max, and acceleration and deceleration) make it an entirely different railway to try operate a steam tour along than 20 years ago.

 

Taken a punt on Saturday's run to Edinburgh. Tickets have arrived, and scheduled locomotive is 35018, so a runner to the best of available knowledge. Will be rather pleased to get over 400 miles with it, and to cover London-Edinburgh with it in a single year.

 

Are you fairly new to the forum? If so, perhaps I should mention that the "diesel on the back" debate has cropped up in a number of threads and tends to go on and on and on - generating a lot of heat and very little light. Some people clearly don't mind a diesel on the back, others are vehemently against it. Both sides of the argument hold their views quite strongly but to my knowledge, very few - if any - people have changed their minds on this issue as a result of exchanges on this forum.

It is worth pointing out that quite a lot of main line steam still does run unassisted - notably the Jacobites, except when there is a heatwave, a good few trips over the Settle & Carlisle (except Saphos) outside leaf fall season and most of VT's Stratford trains. I see you're in Essex. I'm in Sussex and therefore like you, live quite a distance from these workings. I have accepted that if I don't want a diesel on the back, it either means a long journey to get to the starting point of these more regular runs, looking out for the occasional RTC working down south which usually runs unassisted (the "Atlantic Coast Express" being a good bet - at least, in recent years) or waiting for Clan Line's return and hoping there will be some cheaper trains on offer besides the British Pullman. For all anyone's strength of feeling over this issue, no amount of debating on this forum is going to change the philosophy of West Coast, Vintage Trains or LSL/Saphos/Steam Dreams one iota.

 

Suggestion elsewhere ,from inside 10A ,of 46115 and 47802,as of yesterday .

 

No matter, it was booked prior to locomotive allocation and it's a day out while the proverbial sun is shining.

 

It’s not true to say the diesel is always pushing. I’ve been on several Bahamas trips and with Clan Line as part of the support crew where any diesel assistance deemed necessary is discussed between the two drivers. I related an incident on Bahamas thread where the normal water supply failed and the hydrant supply used was hopelessly slow. With only a few hundred gallons delivered and the following SW Trains service waiting at the signal behind us what would you have done? I was doing on train sales that day and at the back of the train the sound of the diesel working hard to the next waterstop was unmistakeable but no one complained. On lengthy journeys under the wires, such as the recent Euston-Manchester trip with Bahamas it only needs some poor quality coal leading to steaming difficulties to cause a major problem, for obvious reasons the fireman is not allowed to use the fire irons to liven up the fire.
We are very fortunate to have some highly skilled footplate crews who are also railway enthusiasts, they wouldn’t do the job if they weren’t and they will only ask for assistance when it’s necessary. It must be remembered that they are not doing the job every day and unlike their BR predecessors have to be familiar with many different types of locomotives. The firing technique to get the best out of a Bullied Pacific is quite different to a Stanier engine for example.
You need to understand that the main line railway is there to provide a timetabled service for the travelling public, it’s not a playground for steam enthusiasts but so far we are tolerated. Nothing is forever, just enjoy it while you can.

 

Thing is unless you can guarantee a class 7/8/9 on every trip you’re a bit stuffed for finding something that can haul the trains. And most of the time they don’t commit to the motive power till days before so often tour promoters actually won’t know.

I get where you’re coming from but I think it’s a 6 of 1, half a dozen situation.

 

Bb, GREAT clear shot at Alnmouth -- just come back form a holiday in the area (& tried some NIGHT shots as well!!)
--- could you PLS advise details (shutter spd/exp etc) of your shot as I would be VERY interested -- also, what type of
camera/lens is it taken on
MANY ta`s
Neale

 

Canon EOS R5, handheld. 1/500 sec to freeze the action, lens wide open at F2.8 and even with ISO 32000 I was a bit underexposed for the loco, although the station was fine. Those overhead LED lamps are very directional, with no overspill of light onto the southbound track and I had to lift it in post. Thankfully these new mirrorless cameras have exceptional high ISO performance.

 

I've been told it's Scots Guardsman on the York - Edinburgh charter tomorrow !

 

I like SG, but I was quite looking forward to the Merchant Navy for a change.