THE PALATINE 09/05/2009

Steam Dreams have told me this afternoon that notwork rail sorry network rail have told them today 70013 is out of gauge under a bridge between dore and manchester the train is now going to sheffield so will be The Master Cuttler ?? considering the trip was first planed last year why has gauging not been checked before now

 

Because Notwork Fail are incompetent.

 

Someone wants shooting if a Britt is out of gauge, BR Standards are some of the most gauge friendly things around, god help anyone wishing to take something like 6233 or 6024 that way.

 

How were you going to do that ? I was up to 1am last night trying to figure out a way to do it... and came to the conclusion It wasnt going to happen and I could buy a ticket from London to Manchester on 70013, jump a service train to Preston and see the Scot arrive..then find my own way home.

Now It looks like i'll end up in Sheffield!!!.. Good job I read the forum I was 2 minutes from Booking.. nothing on Steam Dreams website.

Closest to 4 in a day was August 9th last year:

60009 Preston.
5690 Carnforth.
48151 + 70013 at Euxton / Eccles. (ECS)
45407 + 45231 at Euxton. (Light Engine)

 

And who was the brave little boy who removed the first response to this unwelcome news???

One day some of you will develop a spine ](*,)

This is exactly what happened at Sunderland almost twelve months ago! and just as utterly unforgiveable

Network Rail - plonkers!

 

Do you mean your post containing bad language.. I was thinking to give it a warning as well.
More than a spine, I was thinking it was a cancer of the backbone.
Somethings are best left to the imagination than to print.

 

I booked on this last year, before it got postponed, on the basis of the tour going to Manchester via the Hope Valley. Now that it's not I'll be phoning Steam Dreams up in the morning. Anyone know what are the chances of being able to transfer to another tour are? I see from their T&Cs that there's a charge of 50% for transferring a booking, but as I booked this tour on the proviso it was going somewhere completely different, anyone know what the chances are?

 

Nah Ralph - Scot on Shap - 6201 at the roundabout below Settle - then Manchester and then Beeston

It was eminently do-able

There again we aren't a thirty something with no life experience and less bottle!

 

Just the usual railtour farce. How can they publish full timings and then work out it wont fit? Thats the second time it has happened this year, with the Royal Duchy in April failing to reach Newquay due to gauging. I like 5944 would change my booking, but the rare track out of London is keeping me on.

 

- acknowledged.

Hmm... i'm torn between a few options..

take 6201 (from KX to Doncaster then 6201 to Carlilse) then ride back to Preston with 46115 and the 86 to Brum.. (but I find Lizzie it's a bit boring these days)
or 70013 to Sheffield... train to Preston and see 46115 and the 86...
or start at Crewe, see 6233 and the 86, meander to Sheffield for 70013, meander back to Preston and wait for 6201 (LE) and 46115 ?

 

That if the times go to plan and no late runnings.....
Best i can do is the Scot in the morning, mums 80th in the afternoon and work & sleep-in in the evening

 

It's ridiculous that network rail noticed guaging issues only a few days before the actual tour runs. [-X It's a shame that 70013 will not now run over the Hope Valley, you would have thought that she was cleared for the line, as 76079 has run over countless times and has a similar height and cylinder width to Oliver Cromwell. Oh well, at least the tour has not been cancelled completely.

 

Oh well I didn't really want to go to Manchester and all my efforts looking for a real ale pub near piccadilly is now wasted, any idea of when this one should arrive at Sheffield

 

I wonder if the tour will run in via Barrow hill and Beighton Jct ? That would mean a climb up the 4 miles of Sheffield bank at 1 in 100! on the way out. Or it could rum the reverse way less interesting....
Just realised #-o its diesel on the return! still wondering on catching it on the way in though. Which route ??
Brian

 

Why can't it run via Diggle to Manchester, if it is out of gauge for the Hope Valley, which I doubt? I remember them stopping a Jubilee to Buxton years ago, 45596, when we pointed out that it was smaller than a Class 37, indemic in the area at the time. It still didn't go.

 

t.bird.your post referring to the railtour 12 months ago.nothingto do with network rail,everything to do with nexus.seemingly the clearance in the tunnels from the bridge to s/land station is insufficient to allow steam through.(overhead clearance).

 

I presume most people on this trip were looking forward to the Hope Valley Line and hence booked well in advance for this opportunity.
Because of Network rails incompetence and this change of itinerary would it not be possible to bring OC off at Barrow Hill or Sheffield and run on to Manchester with a loco(s) that are obviously in gauge. Logistically at this stage time is against everyone. Locos and crews available would be the main stumbling block but surely not impossible. I suppose the fact that the trip hasn't been cancelled (yet) is positive. Well done Network Rail. Once again in the news for the wrong reason. Steam Dreams must be pulling their hair out.