RTC trip to Blackpool 13/04/19

Sorry, my mistake, then!!

 

Since 6201 Princess Elizabeth recently undertook a loaded test run around the Hellifield circuit what chance is there that it could be 6201 working the train. 45699 is yet to undertake a test run this year but that could change at anytime and I dont think 35018 is gauged for the route. Im certainly hoping it will be 6201 on the front of the train as how often do you see a princess royal in Blackpool and when was the last time in the preservation era that a classmember visited Blackpool.

 

You don't see a Princess Royal in Blackpool very often, if fact the last time was probably before your time....

 

More likely to be 48151 plus 6201 could also be out of gauge.

 

6233's been to Blackpool on multiple occasions in recent years, although yes the last was 2012 I believe so it could fit in as the Duchess is wider than the Lizzies.

 

Since when, the railway itself has gone through massive changes due to electrification. The larger loco's may need to be re-gauged, which we know from experience is not a simple and speedy procedure.

 

We'll just have to see how it pans out as you never know what 10A plan to use on tours as they are so secretive, with the Scarborough trains we only found out it was going to be 35018 when it was being moved to York and with the Fellsman trains we didn't know which locos would be doing what. It could be a jubilee, it could be Lizzie, it could be BIL or even the 8F. With the Jubilees though Galatea still hasn't done a test run for this year so unless it's out on one prior to next weekends Wensleydale trip I've my doubts about her going to Blackpool.

 

On that day the class 5s are booked from Manchester so I doubt it will be them. It would be a perfect Jubilee job but I suspect it will be the 8F. Maybe JS could help?

 

45407 is still out of action but you never know what Riley's lads are capable of as it could be back in time for that Citadel train and it definitely wont be the A1 as that's working "The Border Raider", even though it's on WCR's books now. Just have to see what Carnforth choose for this train as either way it will be rare to see steam traction in Blackpool, wouldn't mind seeing them doing something like this for Southport though.

 

Will they not have had to decide some time ago which loco to use so it can be gauged for the Blackpool line?

 

If that’s the case you can rule out 6201.

 

They would have asked for more than one loco to be gauged for the route. I am not sure how many you can have gauged for a particular trip ?

 

Does a loco need to be available for use to be able to go through the gauging process? (Genuine question) My assumption would be as long as it's "complete" it could be gauged.

 

Sorry if this is O/T but did Princesses and Duchesses go to Blackpool even back in the day? I looked through some photo sites trying to find out and it was all Jubilees and Black Fives.

 

46233 did a few runs to Blackpool but back in the early 2010/12 if I remember right but I’m sure others will know more .Not sure about steam back in the early years though.

 

Good point Ian but who knows with NR and the rules they use about gauging.

 

Given the amount of work that has been done in the last year or so on the line between Preston and Blackpool North (including electrification of the line and rebuilding all of the platforms at the latter), I don't think we can make any assumptions based on what has worked to Blackpool in the past.

 

I think 6201 was “scanned” mid 2018 so the data to allow gauging should exist, but if protocols allow this to be done before 6201 is fully certified may be another question.