RTC 2025

Brilliant news 44871 is pulling the train! So happy for all the passengers they've got a steam loco. Hope to see the trip on Saturday!

 

400 passengers on RTC's trip get steam. 1800 passengers on the Jacobite this week don't because 44871 is moving south a week early. WCRC need five steam locos this weekend, yet only two are fully fit, plus another that may or may not be able to leave Carnforth. Pathetic situation, and entirely of their own making.

 

I completely agree with everything you've said, I was only pleased for those on the Railway 200 trip that they've got their loco. It's completely unfair the Jacobite passengers have no loco, I honestly had forgot about that side of it. Unfortunately as you said with the situation WCR are in, they will end up disappointing people and it's not right that is happening. The Jacobite passengers deserve steam just as much as the Railway 200 passengers.

 

45407 is still there, I think it’s the afternoon train that’s now diesel

 

44871 hauled BR's last steam hauled train on 11/08/68 so it's fitting in a way that it should be allocated this turn to commemorate the 200th year since the first one. There's a YouTube vid of it and carriage running slowly but definitely more than 20mph.

 

Do not know what they currently do but there used to be money off against a future trip for diesel substitution.

 

I think we realised a long time ago that the coalman has no respect for anyone

 

And of course they have RCT over a barrel, If there were another operator, with the required licences and contracts with engine owners, would they have stayed with West Coast? Its Un fortunate that DB decided to reduce its presence in the Railtour market, as they could have provided an alternative. Instead, West Coast have a near monopoly in the market, due to the coverage they have.

 

Which locos and coaches would DB or AN Other operator use?

 

Hence why I said West Coast have a Monopoly , and have any tour operator over a barrel,

 

Perhaps LSL and VT had the sense to realise that mounting a challenge against Regulation 5 was likely to prove fruitless, and would only serve to enrich members of the legal profession. Hindsight proves their decision to be the right one.

 

Quite sad though. Not that long ago WCR was clearly number one. This weekend, if Ralph is right, the Lune Rivers will be diesel, according to reports the Royal Duchy will be diesel, and 44871 has to be brought down a week early to do the Rail 200 Stanhope and Newcastle trip. How times change.

 

https://www.railwaytouring.net/rd-28-09-25

Confirmed as pair of 33s on Sunday.

 

Yes,Bob Dylan was right!

 

There must be some way out of here
said the Joker to the Thief

 

A number of (dual braked) steam locos previously available for hire by charter promoters for operation by WCR are now unavailable for a number of reasons:-
60009 mothballed
46233 general overhaul
70000 LSL exclusive
34016 ditto

1 or 2 of those could potentially have covered for either or both of 34028 & 34067 this coming weekend.

 

34046 not 16 but you could also add 60103 and 60163 spat/operators choice

Andrew