35018 British India Line

Ultimately it's nobody's business but theirs what "job done" means or how it is reached. There is no comparative method evaluations because WC has always done it their way. The question arose because neither 46115 or 45699 became good performers overnight although latterly exceptionsl.

 

West Coast are a mainline operating company operating mainline locomotives. They have easy access to the mainline, where they can test at mainline speeds. If there are issues their own workshop is close at hand, with a full range of tools and staff.
Why on earth would they send their locomotive to a heritage line???

 

No reason at all, obviously. There is clearly no limit on resources to fund however many track access charges incurred for proving turns.

 

Plus free entertainment for photographers and forum warriors.......

 

Track access charges aren't that high for non revenue trains. Almost certainly cheaper than putting things on low loaders.

 

As a one off, for sure. Clearly the marginal cost increases each time you need to take a run out though.
As I said up thread, its the way they do it and they know best so any speculation is pointless. It was only interesting to wonder whether the initial difficulties with 46115 and 45699 using that method would influence any change in approach for 35018. The answer is probably yes to the extent that more test runs have been undertaken?

 

Are there any clues suggesting when BIL might be out working again ?

 

Could be worth a fiver on 31 May according to the rumour mill. In which case a day out at the seaside may be called for.

 

The Hadrian later this month, out and back S&C, might be another possibility?

 

What about this Saturday over Shap

 

Well you have the best contacts Steve .....

 

Received from RTC with my ticket for 12 May CME:

"We have great pleasure in confirming that we will be steam hauled by either 45699 Galatea, 45690 Leander or 35018 British India Line from Carnforth to Carlisle on our outward journey and from Carlisle to Farington Jn on our return via the Settle and Carlisle line."

Any bets??

 

No more than most

 

45699,48151 and 46115 appeared at Mid Norfolk Railway Gala in May 2014.

 

Not sure if Saturday's train is already a sell out but confirming 35018 as the motive power would, I daresay, prompt a late surge in ticket sales.

 

How many coaches are listed for Saturday? A heavier train may make British India Line more likely ??

 

That's the rub, load for a class 8 but if it isn't ultimately available a class 6 is the only present alternative.