RTC 2026

Massey Day has had 3 tours on at least 4 occasions to my knowledge. At least once if not twice has one been steam. I think all 3 this time will sell because of the types of traction involved, and their subtle differences in offering.

 

NR have not yet had their say yet.
These are of course "wished for" timings.

 

But from the same pick ups as well? Could start to understand if one originated in London at least.

 

Sorry! But we got it working eventually! (I won't go into how much of a pain that actually was...)

John

 

Booked on the Newquay one and the Fowey one so far. Never done the Newquay branch loco-hauled and never done the Fowey branch (what is left of it) at all. May as well make this year a "Cornish branch line" year.

 

I just noticed on the same day as the EOSS there is a Statesman trip to Weymouth. Could get a little busy around the station late afternoon.

 

That happened a few years ago. I seem to remember it all worked OK in 2022, despite the track circuit failure at Dorchester Jn. There is enough capacity west of Poole as long as additional trains are spread out to one per hour. The pinch point is Weymouth platforms and the shunts to and from Jersey Sidings. Ideally both Jersey sidings are available for reforming the EOSS train and running round the support coach.

Cheers, Neil

 

There were actually 3 trips on that chaotic day Neil, there was also a NB from Birmingham whose ECS went to Pen Mill. I seem to remember the Statesman ECS may have been planned for Dorchester South, but ended up in Jersey Sidings.
It was my final stewarding trip before Covid and Pneumonia (only done one proper trip since) but on train nobody had a clue what was happening, we left Pen Mill only sure we could get as far as Maiden Newton. I stayed on the train in Jersey Sidings but from talking to other stewards it was a bit rammed at the station, not helped by being a summer Saturday.
I think the 47 on the front of the Statesman produced more clag than Clan Line leaving Weymouth.

 

A rather interesting development. Tangmere is rostered to pull the Valentines Day Rose from King's Cross to York and back.

This is the first time it's pulled a railtour out of London since gosh must be 2022 if I'm not mistaken.

I wonder if this is a one off or if it's gonna do more trips out of London this year.

 

Are there many other options at the moment?
Are the Black 5's not on Winter maintenance, Eddystone is at Swanage what does that leave in the extended Carnforth Pool?

Last time I did a tour out of KX to York with Tangmere ( Feb 14 2015) the diesel just prior to departure and was left behind, Tangmere had to be removed at Doncaster to a non electrified siding so what little coal was left could be dragged forward. I guess today the tour would have to be cancelled at London.

 

I see the Valentine Stratford Flyer that day no longer on RTC's website

 

Usually one of the Fives is back in time to pull the Valentines White Rose but yes only 34067 left if they aren't, especially if more work is needed on the Fives this year.

 

I assume that, given the tour is running onto the Fowey branch, the 47's will run top & tail on the Cornish Branchliner? Unless they run double headed to Plymouth and then the leading loco runs around and vice - versa on the return. Same goes for the Atlantic Voyager to Newquay as there are of course no run around facilities there.

 

I've spoken to railway touring company today on the phone there are enough people booked on it this year the C.M.E. on 31 January is going ahead and should be 34067 outward from man picc and ret as far as preston.

 

I'm booked on both. My assumption is that they will want to be double-headed over the Devon Banks, so will be changing to top and tail after that. But it's just speculation at this point.

 

I think it depends on how long the trains are, if it’s only 8 coaches then I doubt they will deem double heading to be needed but if it’s more then they may well do. TnT is very useful for tours like this but if the front loco fails then it can be an issue.