Scarborough Spa Express 2014

Isn't teh NRM's production Deltic, 55002, mainline certified?

 

Normally, WCRC rely on their own locos where possible for the SSE. Hiring in someone else's loco might spoil the budget. OTOH, paying for something a little "special" might sell more tickets... Either way, probably difficult to arrange for this week. Maybe there's something being negotiated for next week...?

 

Mr Walkers Deltic has been on hire to GBRF for some good while now, it stays up there and is usually just parked up during the week. It's only bits of work round Glasgow, the hire fees will help with the upkeep costs. A Deltic NEEDS some hard graft, running at decent speeds.
Yes, WCRC have their own fleet to choose from but by 'ell, hire 55022 for 3 days and I reckon the customers would be stampeding to book. Count me in for 2 first class tickets.
Another option would be NRM's machine, that's there at York ready for some work. No light engine movement from Scotland and back.
We could ask Bill Andrew to come out of retirement and do a shift on a Deltic.

 

I believe 55022 is running on only one engine at present, but there is an overhauled one nearly ready to go in. 55002 is at the NRM in full working order, but with no tours booked until October.

 

Regular Deltic running out of York for affordable fares? Count me in!

 

Had a fair bit of rain around Leeds these last few days, I wonder if we'll have a week with just a steam loco?!

 

I doubt it - the mid-week weather forecast for York is sunshine with temperatures into the 80s.

 

I see WCR website reports diesel tomorrow, with further update then.

 

Same again today. Looks like West Coast are playing it one day at a time, but with no rain in the forecast until Sunday - and then only light showers - I think we can take it that the first three weeks of the season at least will be lost to steam.

 

As they crewed KOYLI from York-Aberdeen and return think its safe to assume several rather than one.

 

More FBU strikes in late august for 8 days

Chances of any steam on this years SSE; minimal.

Will this trip even run in 2015?

 

I imagine that West Coast will be thinking very seriously about that. My understanding is that, while last year's loadings held up pretty well (with a steam loco on the front most of the time, even if it wasn't doing very much), loadings this year have been much lighter, despite a price cut.

The Cambrian Coast would be a more friendly/wetter environment for a summer steam operation, if it weren't for the signalling issues.

 

I seem to recall that WCRC used to run a regular steam service up the Cambrian 5 days a week to Porthmadog, extending to Pwllheli 3 times a week and using various locos for the run. It would be nice to see steam up that neck of the woods again; perhaps if the ERTMS computer was slightly less than 5' tall...

 

The DPS are looking for work for 9009 Alycidon.
http://thedps.co.uk/
C'mon West Coast, let's not have a completely wasted SSE in 2014, Hire the Deltic for a few days.

 

Waverley too!

 

Various loco's? Only two were used (as far as I am aware) with the main locomotive being Std 4, No 76079, the other one was one of Riley's Black 5's but cannot recall which one though, I think it was 44871 in 2010. Sadly until the ERTMS issue is ever sorted out then it could be a while (if ever) before a return of regular (August) steam trips along the coast.