RTC 2023

I think on the class 1 trains, in the late 50s, Scots, rebuilt Patriots and the Brits (70031-3) predominated. But there were one or two trains stopping everywhere down the Trent Valley which would have been Black 5 or Jubilee. Not sure if those started at Manchester or Crewe though.

 

And passing through her old home territory of Stockport.

 

Anybody know if a railtour has ever called at Canley in the preservation era as the CCE does tomorrow on the way back? I even had to get a Track Map out and see where it is.
Due to engineering work around Nuneaton I understand.

 

Leander at Dalston on the return CCE.

 

45690 on the CCE at Oxenholme and a soggy Holme Island .

 

Today has not been a good day, set up on a new location for me on the WCML and looking forward to two steam trips I happened to ring Steve Thompson to see where he was located, he tells me Oxenholme videoing 'Leander' of course I say I'm near Carnforth waiting to photograph part one of two steam (it went up early doors LE) check RTT Shep in future and he then tells the 'Lakelander' is caped at Craven Arms and if that wasn't bad enough the weather was crap and so it was a case of waiting for the return



Brightening up a rather damp day Jubilee class No. 45690 'Leander' approaching Kirkby in Furness Station with the return leg of the 'Cumbrian Coast Express' Mick Rawling driving and Chris Holmes firing



Making a tremendous sight and sound as it climbs Dalton Bank heading for Carnforth sad to note that its coming to the end of its boiler ticket

 

Sorry to be the messenger of doom and gloom but you captured two great shots so worth the disappointment in the AM .

 

Turned out nice again.

 

Dalston. Nice to see the Lakes Express headboard.


Last one for Leander

 

A very enjoyable day yesterday on what turned out to be Leander’s final railtour. The undoubted highlight for me was this fine mixed traction lineup at Carlisle, just before D213 and 86259 headed light to Crewe and Carnforth respectively.

 

Just had an e-mail from RTC about a delay in tickets for the Highland express i'm booked on, on Saturday saying tickets will be dispatched tomorrow. I'm a little surprised as I was convinced it was going to be cancelled due to Scotsman's incident at the weekend but maybe there is hope yet it'll run...

 

All Christmas trips down south, originally advertised as a Carnforth loco, are now advertised to be hauled by Riley's 44871.

Have noticed the Christmas Cheshireman (due to be 44871) & The Capital Christmas Express (due to be 'A Black 5') are running on the same day, so, something's gotta give unless 44932 is involved.

 

Great shame about the Cheshireman. Used to be one of the highlights of the year but last few years it's been single locomotives with a diesel on the rear doing most of the work. We don't get a proper run on the Marches at all in the year anymore.

 

Alan, I’ll apologise if what I’ve posted comes across as bullying, something I absolutely loathe and despise.
I will say though that I’m fed up with the same comments from the same members about ‘show pony’s’, ‘boxes on the back’, ‘I won’t travel with x because they’re being selfish and not allowing me to indulge my own hobby’ it’s just really boring and tiresome.

It comes to something when someone from one of the TOC’s involved also explains why a certain tour involved assistance from something involving more than 4 cylinders at the last minute at the insistence of those responsible for our rail network and still posted snide comments about that incident.

As I say I really am sorry if I’ve upset anybody but I’m just fed up with hearing the same bloody stuck record and snarky comments from the same bloody people.
One day somebody’s going to come along and say, ‘you guys have had your fun, now bugger off’
We really will have something to complain about then.
Cheers, Matt

 

Well done to RTC and NWR for quickly coming up with an alternative, but I fear the issues are not over yet.

The timings put in are the generic 'Aberdonian' timings, whereas there is a blanket 40mph speed restriction over Scotland with today's weather. This means a lot of what what today's timings suggest will be fiction, and how they'll maintain a servicing and turning layover at Aberdeen with the increased running times is beyond me.

I suppose an active reaction would be to send the train via Fife on the return, and hope to claw back some time due to reduced milage.

 

Its a bit wet here for sure, all roads in the village shut and no West Highland Trains running so nothing to see out of the window today! Hopefully wont need to start building an ark just yet though!

 

NR have said that the line through Gleneagles will remain closed until Wednesday pm meaning that the return leg of the Aberdonian will be via Fife.