RTC daytrips 2013

To the best of my knowledge 5029, 34046, 70000 and 70013 are all likely to be running in June, barring any further unforeseen issues.

David

 

David

Thanks for that.

Paul

 

Thanks David, that sounds promising, though "running in June" might not mean "run-in, certified and ready for duty on Sun 2nd June". ;-) At least it sounds like I'm justified booking a day's holiday on 9th July.

Any news on what routes 777 will be allowed to work this summer?

 

Sorry, I have no info about the plans for 777, other than it was expected to leave the WSR in the first week of July. Unfortunately, it is one of the widest locos on the mainline and is now heavily restricted. Recent decisions suggest that it is currently barred from the western end of the South Western route to Exeter so the 9 July train is not looking very likely.

But the permitted routes can vary, depending on how recently the route has been gauged, as the minimum required clearances are increased with time since the last gauging as a precautionary measure. Perhaps we should keep track of where the gauging train goes to give us an indication of what routes may be opened up again (eg Cam & Dursley). I gather gauging train covers the whole country in a 4 year cycle, although some routes may be gauged more frequently.

David

 

I read on Twitter (I think?) that 777 will be moving to the North Norfolk soon as the NNR have a locomotive shortage. Confirmation, however, would be appreciated.

James at SVN

 

Let's hope the gauging train goes through Templecombe again soon (although the platform does look rather tight, even with DMUs).

 

According to the RTC website 34046 Braunton will haul The Jolly Fisherman http://www.railwaytouring.net/uk-day-trips/jolly-fisherman.

The route has changed for the Coast to Coast now via Stalybridge and Huddersfield http://www.railwaytouring.net/uk-day-trips/coast-to-coast-express

 

That's a bit of a shame. I wonder why they can't go via Copy Pit?

 

to make up for no steam tours last year

 

So it's your fault, Neil? How much did you have to pay Nigel to get it re-routed past your back garden?

 

The original routing was from Liverpool to Preston via St Helens Central and Wigan NW. However the WCML is to be closed between Warrington and Preston for 9 consecutive days from the 13 July, the date of the tour, whilst 3 junctions in the Wigan area are remodelled. This explains why the tour cannot run from Wigan [Springs Branch Jn] to Preston. However why it could not reverse at Manchester Victoria on the revised routing instead of Preston on the original itinerary and run via Bolton and Blackburn to Copy Pit remains a mystery as no explanation has been given. Maybe its because the Birmingham - Scotland Voyagers are being diverted via Bolton between Crewe and Preston and there is no path. I think most people booked on this trip to go via Copy Pit, I know I certainly did and as such personally I feel it would have been better to postpone it.

 

Going early next week by road and staying till June. Due to run every day from 25th May till 3rd June.

 

Surely this must have been known when the tour was in the planning stages and then advertised?

 

As Ralph implies, the 'most people' you refer to are generally only the enthusiasts in standard class, whose trip is effectively being subsidised in any case by those who don't care what happens as long they get a day out that's different whilst getting fed and watered. Speaking for myself, I can live with pretty drastic route modifications as long as there's steam on the front and it starts from the advertised start point.

 

I'm afraid you are wrong Ralph. The majority of passengers on this train ARE enthusiast. many are members of the 5305 LA association because this was to have been the first Brit over copy pit in preservation. I agree the timings would have been longer but not impossible so.

 

I think you're spot on there, Ralph.