If you register, you can do a lot more. And become an active part of our growing community. You'll have access to hidden forums, and enjoy the ability of replying and starting conversations.

RTC 2025

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by 2857Harry, Sep 7, 2024.

Page 10 of 10
  1. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

    Joined:
    May 30, 2009
    Messages:
    22,740
    Likes Received:
    22,895
    Location:
    1016
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Agree with the sentiments.

    The fact that Swanage offers a good destination plus a steam railway is a good draw. Sadly the days are long gone when you could have different locos down and back. Two hours haulage backwards is not every loco owner's cup of tea either.
     
    Big Al, Jun 6, 2025
    #181
    Romsey likes this.
  2. MellishR

    MellishR Resident of Nat Pres Friend

    Joined:
    Apr 16, 2009
    Messages:
    9,000
    Likes Received:
    5,922
    On the Tornado thread
    I'm quoting that here because RTC describe their Varsity Explorer three weeks later (25th October) as the first on that line. They do have something of a claim, as Pathfinder's does it only one way, Bletchley to Bicester, and RTC's does Bicester to Bletchley with steam, then diesel on the way back.
     
    MellishR, Jun 6, 2025
    #182
  3. Romsey

    Romsey Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2007
    Messages:
    3,898
    Likes Received:
    1,886
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired SPM
    Location:
    Close to Bridge 200
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Church Lane is the point work at the country end of Millbrook Freightliner terminal. Water has been taken in Southampton Up Goods Loop before now.
    That means a SWR set of stock often has to be moved and the locals in Cracknore Roads asked to move cars to get the tanker to the access gate.
    Cheers, Neil
     
    Romsey, Jun 6, 2025
    #183
  4. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2015
    Messages:
    8,189
    Likes Received:
    6,856
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Swanage
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    I wondered that but not shown as water in OTT either, which of course they usually denote as they have for Fleet.
     
    Gladiator 5076, Jun 6, 2025
    #184
  5. buzby2

    buzby2 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 26, 2009
    Messages:
    1,721
    Likes Received:
    591
    Location:
    Swanage
    Presume this tour used the 'new' flyover north of Hitchin which is quite a steep (but short) climb to get over the ECML. It's 50mph followed by a stretch of 55mph before joining the main line on the climb to Letchworth Garden City. The Black Five would have needed diesel assistance to help maintain reasonable speeds over this section and then accelerate towards the station and 45212 may have eased off as it was getting close to it's own maximum. Without being on the footplate it's impossible to be sure of course.
     
    buzby2, Jun 9, 2025 at 5:13 PM
    #185
  6. dublo6231

    dublo6231 Member

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2011
    Messages:
    583
    Likes Received:
    486
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    IT
    Location:
    Sat at home
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Tickets received for next weekends CME states that it will be hauled by Tornado.
     
    dublo6231, Jun 13, 2025 at 5:16 PM
    #186
    Oswald T Wistle likes this.
  7. alastair

    alastair Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 7, 2005
    Messages:
    1,278
    Likes Received:
    793
    Please excuse the cynicism but given the recent comments in the Saphos thread, and the weather forecast for next week (no rain) I suspect it will be "hauled" by a diesel, with another diesel on the back and Tornado on the front doing as little as possible. What a total farce.
     
    alastair, Jun 13, 2025 at 10:06 PM
    #187
  8. dublo6231

    dublo6231 Member

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2011
    Messages:
    583
    Likes Received:
    486
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    IT
    Location:
    Sat at home
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Agreed - it is far from ideal and I'm praying for some rainfaill middle of next week but thats looking highly unlikely - alas that is always the gamble taken with booking any steam railtour in the summer months - I could find fault with plenty of other things (coaching stock) but will overlook that as well.
    Unfortunately "real" unassisted steam tours are now so rare and I fancied a mainline steam fix - I am booked on the proposed unassisted tour run by VT in September (and even thats weather permitting given its quite early in the month!) and travelled on 3 of their unassisted tours last year - but beggars can't be choosers - my son wiill be with me and our plan is to spend time at Crewe on the return on the longest day of the year spotting and taking plenty of photos.
    So I already know I'm going to bloomin well love it!
     
    dublo6231, Jun 13, 2025 at 11:49 PM
    #188
Page 10 of 10

Share This Page