The Red Dragon

There's one very positive message from this and other tours that Lizzie has covered at short notice, and that is that the society has a strong support crew, willing and able to pick up this sort of work. I remember a few summers ago that they had to turn down similar offers of work because they could not get a support crew together at short notice.

 

Whoops! Confused with 46203!! :doh: I shall have to beg for forgiveness!!

 

It's definitely 6201 on Saturday, they are still waiting on confirmed times but they think it will be about 7.30am

 

Not a surprise. If it were to be Ollie, she ought to have been steam-tested by now and be on a low-lowder to Tyseley today or tomorrow, but unless I've missed a posting somewhere, she's still in the GCR workshops.

i.e. 07:30 depart from Solihul?

 

Sorry, 7.30 from Solihull but is subject to confirmation

 

08.00 from Warwick Parkway, back at 21.00 requested, so 07.30 at Solihell would fit.

 

Is Warwick parkway a set-down stop, then? The Hall should make a good noise restarting from there on Saturday evening!

 

I hope it's setting down there, that's where the car will be parked as that's where a group of us will be joining in the morning! I'm disappointed that it's 6201 on this tour. But at least it's steam.

 

Solihell?? Bit of a Freudian slip there.

 

If it's anything like the Lickey run there will be nothing to be sorry about. Still waiting tickets - anyone got their's yet?

 

Anyone know why EoME has appeared on the Solihull leg on UKsteaminfo and why the change of motive power at Oxford? Letters were being posted today so all should become clear.

 

Perhaps because we complained so much about it not being there! Perhaps there is a problem with 4965, or else a suitable timing path could only be provided for a 75mph loco. I think the change at Oxford is because thats as far as 5043 normally goes from Tyseley before a water stop, so instead of a water stop just for the few miles to Didcot, the locos will just be changed there, and then 5043 can be run LE to the safe haven at Didcot.

 

Times I've been told (not from any official source I hasten to say) 07:06 @ Solihull, Change engines at foxhall jn 0903-35 and either wantage road 1836-2001 or oxford signal 90 2024-2105 on the return.

 

Christ,if those are the times its gonna be an early/late one!

 

5043 is doing the first leg of the trip because of the loading for the train. Eleven plus a class 47 equivalent to 13 just a bit too much for a Hall on the timings given.
Also the change of motive power takes place at Foxhall Jcn.
So as you can see the complaints on here about the non appearance of 5043 were as usual ineffective.
Although the thoughts expressed on the forum are noted in high places, we will never have the power to bring about changes of locos on tours. They are always made for operational reasons and no other.
Campainr, never presume anything in this industry. I can categorically state that there is no problem with 4965 she is well and raring to go!!!

 

For me the changes are a real bonus so I'm a happy chappie, nice one Tyseley. see you all Saturday. I'll be the bleary eyed one at Solihll.

 

Here's to a really noisy day. I suspect there will be many bleary eyes at Solihull.

 

I presume Lizzie will be going down to Didcot on her own prior to Sat. Any idea when, or are they running together on Sat?

RICK

 

Why the 47? Certainly not for heating.