Steam Dreams 2016

If often wondered why they insist on using that particular set of coaches. Whatever happened to the idea of Steam Dreams putting together their own set which would be dual-braked? They were making a great deal out of that a few years ago but nothing much happened. As far as I know, the only vehicle that they own in the current rake is the kitchen car.

In the meantime I assume WCRC doesn't have another air/dual-braked set of stock that could be used for SD.

 

If air braking is so valuable odd that WC routinely ties half an air braked set up each year on Jacobite. Four or 5 more coaches and there would be another rake.

 

It was when they used West Coast and DB and they stated that they would form a dual braked and dual heated set. It was moving what they needed from one set to the other between trips that was the issue. I suspect the cost of purchasing and overhauling that was the issue. They then decided to go with one TOC, and apart from completing the Kitchen Car to meet their requirements dropped the idea.

 

Aspirationally, Dual Heat/Brake is the way to go, but where are the Mk1's in the required numbers coming from ? (assuming enough Dual heat/brake rakes to satisfy current demand for all, not just SD), Mk2's by design cannot be dual braked.

 

Times are up for Wednesdays run to Swanage. Tickets haven't arrived as yet. Nothing as yet for the return times. Steam dreams say it will take the direct route to Waterloo on the return, I hope this is the case and that I can stand by an open droplight without being accosted.

 

No chance. A couple of guys were moved out of doorways on Tuesday. Told it's a TOC requirement and they do not allow anyone in the vestibules when the train is moving.

 

From RTT it looks like October 1sts CME is electric all the way to Carlisle with steam just round the coast to Carnforth. Not what their web site is saying. Was this expected?

 

OTT says the same, arriving in Carlisle at 1210. Wonder if it's due to the load restriction over Shap? The return is 1403 off Carlisle.

http://www.opentraintimes.com/schedule/U50597/2016-10-01
http://www.opentraintimes.com/schedule/U50603/2016-10-01

 

Somebody with a ticket will no doubt share what they have been informed but the advertised charter has steam Carnforth to Carlisle too.

 

Also this diagram http://www.opentraintimes.com/schedule/U50598/2016-10-01 suggests an LE move to get a steam loco to Carlisle.

 

Shame if that's the case because there aren't any signs of autumn around and if it's Guardsman, it's a 4-6-0 not a Pacific so much less prone to slipping if there was leaf fall this early. Anyone seen any???.

 

SD also love their 'Steam Dream Premier Dining' MK II TOs that have 8 rows of 4+2 seats not just 7 rows as present in MkI FOs.

 

If you compare this trip with the times from 3rd Sept CME the departure from Euston at 07:10 gives a Preston departure of 10:26 and a Carlisle arrival at 12:10.
On 3rd Sept the Preston departure with steam was at 10:10 after over an hour for the loco change and arrival at Carlisle at 12:36 with a nearly 40 minute water stop at Carnforth.
The return times for the coast seem pretty consistent.
So I'd think the Euston departure time has as much to do with there being no steam northbound as any potential leaf fall.

Could always ask the southerners to get up an hour or two earlier I suppose !

 

The Euston departure is the usual time for these trips see http://www.uksteam.info/tours/t16/t0409c.htm

 

Would an assisting diesel not solve the loading limits though as usual?

 

Ooh controversial !

 

Oh Yes , Shouldn't have compared it with a Crewe start - forgot about that one !

 

7 rows surely(42 seats) in a normal FO?

 

Thanks for pointing that out. Meant to put 7.

On the braking front, the Cornish Set only had 2 Dual Braked passenger carrying carriages; the Pullman and the FO. Their own MkI Kitchen Car was also Dual Braked. It's a shame that their idea of keeping steam on the mainline seems to be running with an assisting diesel, even when air braked locos are available. Not the future I want to see for steam on the mainline.