RTC Wensleydale & Durham Coast Saturday 21st March

In Leyburn???

Ten to fifteen minute walk to "The Sandpiper", slight gradient.

 

Yes, as I posted earlier, 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 think that the K1 was supposed to be the locomotive (with the K4, maybe?) on a trip that was booked to be doing a run that was, as you say, stopped at the last moment. Only 3 or 4 years ago, iirc. Catenary issues was the reason given at the time, and that does make sense. It is pretty flimsy if you compare it to 25kV equipment. I did the Durham Coast northbound from Middlesbrough to Gateshead behind Blue Peter, on her first trip after her rebuild subsequent to the 'Durham incident'. No wires to Sunderland then, of course. Glad I did.

 

Can someone just say if the overall max speed of the train is affected by having the 2 locos running T&T. What I mean is,as the one at the back is running t/f does that mean the train can still go at 60mph?

Thanks

 

Normally, T&T trains run at lowest max speed of the 2 locos involved - 60mph in this case. The main reason that tender-first running is limited to 45mph is the fact that tenders aren't good at leading the loco through points, etc. That doesn't apply when the loco's on the rear of a train.

I've mentioned this before, but I remember filming Leander and 48151 T&T between Marylebone and High Wycombe some years ago. When Leander was leading, the 8F really seemed to be running to keep up!

 

Thanks, Al. Tempus fugit, as it were

 

Ta da...

http://www.blackhatrailwaypictures.co.uk/p340977118

 

Im on it Ralph, 4th one in 3 months and it will be nice to see you again.
Although I hope its not discouraging for someone who I am bringing - as despite booking in early November last year I'm not WITH or even in the same coach as my friends 'as my booking request' (but in the Buffet).

 

E13. look forward to saying hello if you are around.

 

Coach H ex Carnforth -I might need a nudge to wake me up!

 

Im around to give chase! No doubt lots of waving at the train or running around back to the car if the gap to the next spot is tight....

 

Apologies to everyone re Sunderland Dock- I shouldhavekept quiet and NOT raised hopes.
I'm in coach E
Lots of new steam track for me. Last time to Redmire was a Leeds Univ b.v trip from Tees Yd with cabrides galore onthe cl37
Again- apologies to NP members for wrong information re the Docks branch
Time for the naughty step!
best wishes Ray Mason

 

Will be happily ensconced in Coach G. As its a mere bus trip into York from where I'm currently living, I think I'll partake in some ale, methinks...

 

Travelling in steerage Coach H16F joining York. Don't know any other members, but please say "Hi" if passing through this end of the train.

(Big Al) "In the absence of any timings between 1030 and 1500, other than the Leyburn stop, I've been trying to work out what will happen......Quite a long time to cover 40 odd miles."
The mileage - buffer stop to buffer stop, from the Redmire Reversing Line to the furthest west point at Redmire works out at 22.8 miles, if I am interpreting my ageing copy of Quail's Track Diagrams correctly. Not totally sure of the "Rules of the Road" for the Wensleydale Railway, but if it is operating under a Light Railway Order regime, I assume that the maximum speed permitted at any point would be 25 mph, and that the numerous crossings on this line would be operated on a "Stop and Proceed" basis. And that is what would presumably account for the seemingly lengthy overall timings - with three "Automatic Open Crossings" (Yafforth, Ham Hall and Aiskew) and a further eight "Traincrew Operated" crossings (Ainderby Gates, Ainderby Station, Scruton, Leeming Bar, Bedale, Crakehall, Finghall Lane, and Wensley).
If these assumptions are correct (and I really would like to know, because I've never had the pleasure of visiting this line before) and the informed guess on the schedule for this section is there or thereabouts, then I would like to think that some level of industry will still be required at both ends of the train to complete the Wensleydale Railway leg of the tour in the time allowed.
Otherwise, I am sure that RTC would have re-programmed the autopilot on its word processor to read something along the lines of "We shall expect some slow running etc etc...."!!