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Saphos Trains Pennine Moors Christmas Explorer: 8/12/18

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by staffordian, Nov 5, 2018.

  1. staffordian

    staffordian Well-Known Member

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    I've today received my travel documents for this one, and see the times are up on RTT...

    Outbound http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54710/2018/12/08/advanced

    Return http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54711/2018/12/08/advanced

    I'm hoping for Braunton, which I've not been behind, but expecting the Scot or possibly 70000 as the latter has had a couple of test runs.

    Any thoughts?
     
    Last edited: Nov 5, 2018
    staffordian, Nov 5, 2018
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  2. Will RL

    Will RL Member

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    Opposite way round to that advertised isn’t it?
     
    Will RL, Nov 5, 2018
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  3. staffordian

    staffordian Well-Known Member

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    Well spotted sir!

    I'm not familiar with this iconic route, so does this mean less dramatic climbs, eg Copy Pit?
     
    staffordian, Nov 5, 2018
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  4. AMP

    AMP Member

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    I'm sure I read somewhere that they plan to use 70000, 46100 lacked wheels in a post a few weeks ago. I also hope for 34046 but I think I'm going to be unlucky...

    Andrew
     
    AMP, Nov 5, 2018
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  5. 46223

    46223 Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    Not really, the eastbound climb is more or less the same.

    s006_2_1.jpg
     
    46223, Nov 5, 2018
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  6. 3855

    3855 Member

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    Looks a decent tour would be ideal for a black un if only Saphos had access to an available one..
     
    3855, Nov 5, 2018
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  7. staffordian

    staffordian Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for that. At least we get one decent ascent then.

    I'd been looking forward to the climb out of Manchester Victoria up Miles Platting bank, having seen many superb videos taken on this stretch. Rather disappointing that we miss out on that. Are there any similar ones in the reverse direction?
     
    staffordian, Nov 6, 2018
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  8. 46223

    46223 Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    Afraid not. Apart from Copy Pit, there is the climb out of Wigan to Boars Head which is about 2 miles at 1 in 104 and from Bamber Bridge up through Hoghton, about 4 miles at 1 in 99 / 1 in 100.
     
    46223, Nov 6, 2018
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  9. staffordian

    staffordian Well-Known Member

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    I wonder if the timings on RTT are simply Network Rail's first offering to Saphos?

    Saphos are still showing the original itinerary, with the ascent from Man Vic as one of the selling points of the tour, so maybe they are holding out for what they want.

    On the other hand, why would they send out the confirmed timings and travel documents if they are still negotiating?

    Time will tell, I guess.
     
    staffordian, Nov 6, 2018
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  10. Moylesy98

    Moylesy98 Guest

    45231's having air brakes fitted so hopefully a black 5 will be working trains for Saphos at some point in 2019.
     
    Moylesy98, Nov 6, 2018
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  11. Moylesy98

    Moylesy98 Guest

    No chance of it being Royal Scot as that's got no wheel-sets and is also undergoing winter maintenance, Britannia I'm told will be working the trains as she needs to get back into her stride after being off the mainline out of action for such a long time. The trip just before this which goes via Chester, Shrewsbury & Stafford I'm going to be on-board.
     
    Moylesy98, Nov 6, 2018
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  12. staffordian

    staffordian Well-Known Member

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    Saphos have told me the reason for the reversal of the route from that advertised is because of gauging issues.
     
    staffordian, Nov 9, 2018
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