LE movements, ECS and test runs 2024

Depends…

 

Had a message earlier saying that D400 is ‘On Loan’

 

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:C10950/2024-03-07/detailed
Southall to Carnforth 60mph path activated today.

 

44871 heading north for Saturdays Stratford flyer.

 

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U03857/2024-03-15/detailed

LE move for 5043 next Friday in preparation for the Shap Mountaineer

 

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:K01829/2024-03-25/detailed

Jacobite stock move

 

Will be very interesting to see what stock is actually on this.

 

The Mk. 1 stock that had been parked down at the Crag Bank end of the Steamtown site in January is now back up in the operations end of the site - perhaps for CDL fitting.

CDL fitment to the Northern Belle set is currently underway, ready for its first outing next week (Cheltenham Gold Cup).

I would guess that the first Jacobite set dispatched to FW this year will either be dual-braked Mk. 1s (as opposed to a set with the usual vac-only vehicles in it) or the Mk. 2 air-braked set usually used on the afternoon diagram.

Presumably the air-con set will remain in use on RTC charters until additional Mk. 1 vehicles are ready.

 

44871 heading north through the gloom at Brock working 5M43 07/03/24

 

And what will folks have to talk about when we know

 

What locos are going to pull it? Edit--- sorry I guess for the Jacobite that's obvious enough, less so for the GB tour.

 

If West Coast have fitted CDL to enough coaches to work the Jacobite service in such a short timescale they deserve a big Pat on the back, it’s not a five minute job.

 

Also begs the question why kick up such a fuss in the first place?

 

Because the imposition of rules of how to run its business is not acceptable to WCRC hence its decision to seek Judicial Review. Once the case was lost WCRC has the capability to undertake the work but it was not a decision it agreed with. Almost similar to being forced to wear a safety belt despite being unwilling to do so after surviving a serious accident (2 written-off vehicles) because I wasn't wearing a seat belt !

 

I can see why they did it and in a way admire them for doing it. It’s well known that Company chairman is a stubborn Yorkshireman, he decided to challenge the diktat of the regulator on the basis that the requirement of CDL was not necessary on any grounds of safety and that the immense cost to the company was out of all proportion to the perceived risk, On both points I agree with him but he clearly didn’t understand that, as with all regulators, these parasites have unlimited powers with no responsibility for the impact their decisions may have.
As I’ve said before, it won’t stop here and could ultimately result in some operators throwing in the towel. Like them or not West Coast are the largest operator of steam on the mainline and we must be grateful that they have decided to carry on with what is only part of their business.

 

I’m sure it will Al but because of the ‘Golden Goose’ tag you rightly use, no doubt someone else from another establishment was/is sniffing around the Jacobite route ready to pick up the pieces which is why I’m sure the team at Carnforth have pulled out all the stops to scupper any plans he may have had and rightly so!

 

D1015 out on a Cotswold circle light test
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:R05878/2024-03-12/detailed

 

One from todays test run of D1015 earlier today at the former Cutnall Green Station, slightly cropped and filtered by me to give it a bit more retro feel.
Photo is C/O my Dad

 

Running about ten minutes early and accompanied by their respective support coaches with a Class 37 diesel bringing up the rear, BR Standard 7MT 4-6-2 No. 70000 Britannia leads ex-LNER Gresley Class A4 No. 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley through Hartford station on 14th March 2024 whilst on a positioning move from Crewe to the East Lancs Railway prior to the latter's Spring Steam Gala taking place over the following weekend.



Cheers,