RTC Wensleydale & Durham Coast Saturday 21st March

Timings are up for this one:

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50676/2015/03/21/advanced

and:

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50677/2015/03/21/advanced


We seem to be spending over 4 hours on the Redmire line which seems a bit excessive,maybe there is a long stop somewhere?

Also,on the afternoon leg,note Darlington and Ferryhill have disappeared,its now Northallerton and Eaglescliffe direct both ways and furthest north is Ryhope Grange Jn just south of Sunderland. I can only think the shortened routing is needed to get the train back to Carnforth at a reasonable time?

 

The reversal at Ryhope Grange is probably because that's the furthest you can get, IIRC, where there's a crossover before you get 'under the wires'. The Tyne & Wear Metro's overhead can't withstand the heat from a steam locomotive's chimney, even in 'light steam', as I understand it.

 

I understand that the destination is the just reopened Sunderland Docks branch- going as far as possible but this info is subject to further confirmation.
Sadly,Darlington to Ferryhill is closed by the time the special gets there but it will still be used by the Wansbeck.
Good news: the train has been full for awhile with a wait list. An additional coach is being added(1st/premier)
This looks to be a v good tour. Please remember there is work in progress until v late on when freight lines are used. This was the same situation in BR days.....I suspect another classic. Perhaps only the second steam up the Durham Coast

 

Isn't the main stopover in Leyburn ? Better equipped for a trainload of thirsty gricers I'd have thought ?

 

Yes true, there's more than one pub, but it's not exactly Carlisle or York,

 

Maybe some of the passengers will manage to find something else to do rather than going to a pub, although I realise that's a difficult concept for some people to grasp.

 

Yes of course, and I can entirely grasp that concept. In that respect, Leyburn is ideally suited as a stopover.

 

Thanks for clarifying a few things there. Agreed,it should be a memorable trip.

 

RTC's tour description suggests a 1-hour stop in Leyburn on the way out, at roughly 11:45-12:45. This matches the RTT times pretty well. Standard class passengers wanting lunch in Leyburn my be well-advised to phone in their orders in advance!

 

Premier dining may want exercise but those of us in first may only need a snack in Leyburn- depends on the size of the on board Danish pastries. Sandwiches follow but perhaps not until we trundle down the Docks branch as far as possible.........fine dining and Sunderland South Dock .......Gifford images of J27s on the Silksworth..........whatever next?
65894 top and tailing 62005 ! Maybe NELPG will try for an extra mainline registered loco with all these tours in t'north let alone Whitby/Battersby? ( light hearted,not serious)
Ray Mason

 

Tickets received from RTC. 61994 t'n't with 62005. Leyburn arr 12:40 dep 13:55. Times as per RTT but no details of routeing around Sunderland.

 

As much as this conjurs up a marvellous prospect in the imagination, I fear that the RTT data is hinting at not much more than a reversal at Ryhope Grange Junction. Five minutes (17.02/ 17.07) doesn't suggest to me the sort of time that offers any scope for a trundle anywhere. I do hope I'm wrong about this - perhaps someone is eyeing the 20 minute stopover at Hartlepool (is this a water stop or a pathing stop?) to see whether shaving this might offer a sufficient allowance to include the Docks branch visit. Looking at the Quail Track Diagram, the fullest extent of the branch from Ryhope Grange Junction to the Network Rail/ PSA boundary looks like 1m 53c, so it could be do-able with a little extra time to play with. We'll see.

 

As you say,RTT says a reversal at Ryhope Grange J. If I get an update I will notify NP.
ND was trying v hard to get approval to travel on the branch if possible( he may have cabbed a J 27 on it if my memory is correct!) Sunderland is also an " underground " station making steam problematic. Is steam allowed under any circumstances under the Tyne and Wear wires? Or on any part of the system .......?if not then Sunderland will remain just out of reach!

 

Interesting, but isn't that what was thought about Birmingham New Street for many years ? Now, steam through that station is almost a regular occurence ? Why the difference ?

 

I think there's a fair climb to the pubs of Leyburn. By the time you get there, it will probably be time to roll back downhill. Staying on to Redmire myself.