RTC to Worcester 17/06/17 now 26/08/17

Motive power stated to be U of SA but is it mended now? Also return route now as out so less interesting.

 

60009 was also booked to haul The Swanage Belle on Thursday 8th June but, although it is still listed on uksteam.info, I notice that that trip has been removed from the RTC website. Hopefully that is just because of low bookings and not because the loco still wasn't going to be ready.

 

Swanage Belle postponed to 21/9/17, and listed on the RTC website for the revised date.

 

Due to the change of return route to be the same as the outward, I would guess a smaller replacement, it happened last year with Galatea, no return up Sapperton last July

 

Just seen this tour has been removed from rtc's website, does this mean it has been cancelled?

 

Sorry ignore the above post, I've received an email saying the tour has been postponed to Saturday the 26th of August.

 

Well this is what it said in the email I received from the RTC

With regards to your booking on The Cotswold Venturer on Saturday 17th June 2017 we are writing to inform you that the tour has been postponed. The postponement is for operational reasons relating to the availability of a suitable steam locomotive to haul this train.


When we were informed that the originally scheduled locomotive, Princess Elizabeth, would not have its overhaul completed in time to haul the train we made arrangements for 60009 Union of South Africa to haul the train instead. Unfortunately 60009 failed at the end of April and we have now been notified that the repair on this locomotive will not be completed until the week after the Cotswold Venturer. We have exhausted all avenues to try to find a suitable replacement steam locomotive for this tour but have been unsuccessful in this regard and so have no option but to postpone the tour. We do not operate our trains diesel hauled unless the steam locomotive fails imminently before departure.


Please accept our sincere apologies for any disappointment or inconvenience this postponement, which is outside of our control, may cause.


The tour will now run on Saturday 26th August and is scheduled to be hauled by 60009 Union of South Africa.

(Not all of what is in the email I have decided to post here).

 

My guess is that plans are for the WCRC pool for the south of England this summer to consist of 45305, 60009 and 70013. Seems like we won't have too long to wait for 70013, but the other two engines are clearly not quite ready for action yet and with an enhanced programme of S&C trains this year, none of the WCRC stalwarts like 45690/9 and 46115 can be spared. Also, as with the Swanage Belle, given 60009's imminent retirement from the main line, there is a strong case for running the train later in the year with the advertised - and very popular - loco rather than running it on the original date with a substitute which may not be so appealing.

As mentioned, just my guess and happy to be shot down by anyone who is more knowledgeable.

 

Still going to return the same as going outward or come via sapperton?
The issues of gauging at Cheltenham will determine that

 

The West Somerset Steam Express on the 26/8 has been cancelled.

 

Itinerary for the tour on rtc's website says return will be the same as outward.

 

Timings for this now on rtt

outward http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50631/2017/08/26/advanced

and return http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50636/2017/08/26/advanced

Note later than originally scheduled departure from paddington and return journey via cheltenham and swindon reinstated.

 

When was the last time an A4 headed up the Golden Valley ??

 

No.9 went up there in November 2014, albeit in darkness.

 

29th November 2014 , a Duchess was a longer wait

 

That's right. I'm sure you did a sound recording.

 

Let me rephrase. When was the last time an A4 went up Sapperton in the daylight ?

 

Technically, I filmed it. But, it may as well have just been a sound recording