RTC 2026

Pads out the journey a bit as it's now only steam one way.

 

Eddystone's rostered trips have been allocated on the RTC website. As well as more for 45407 in March before I assume it heads up to Scotland if the Jacobite is still running this year.

 

I also note that the ecs move from Carnforth on Friday (13th!) is routed to Southall via the EWR link Bletchley to Oxford

 

Puts the loco facing the correct way for a departure out of KX does it not without the need for any other turning moves.

 

Yes, that's probably right. WCR may have used this route already as an advantage reaching Southall from the west but I'd not noticed. Apologies. I tried responding yesterday but NP's boiler-ache was playing up.

 

There was a Cumbrian Coast Express planned for 21st March. But it looks like it's been canceled. No mention on RTC website.

 

Probably because Bransty Tunnel is still closed

 

So RTC's loco roster for April - October currently looks like 34028 down south, 35028 picking up the occasional job, and 34067 up north when it's not working Northern Belles or broken. It's a big programme with essentially only two locos to cover it.

 

It's a shame that 35018's time in service has been so quiet in more recent times. Not sure when the boiler cert runs out or expired?

 

Thought I read somewhere on NP that rumours were of 34028 being pencilled in for the initial 2 days to Penzance and back to Bristol TM (?) although I've found no confirmation of that yet.
The rumour may have started as one of the slideshow pictures, at the top of the GB XVIII page, which shows 34028 crossing a short bridge.
Confirmation (or not) of this rumour in due course no doubt.

 

Latest reopening rumour is mid-2027...

 

34067 still not left Carnforth for Southall…

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U76329/2026-02-13/detailed

 

Now showing as en route, 311 minutes down.

 

Up bright and early to catch it at Digswell, the exhaust doing its best to mask the largely blue and grey stock it was pulling.

 

We dont get Tangmere down south often, we dont get steam over the Digswell Viaduct often, and its been a long long time since the weather and light has been this good.

 

34067 sauntering down the ECML just north of Sandy. Not a lot of noise from either end of the train.
2026-02-14 SR BB 4-6-2 'TANGMERE' Nr. SANDY by KING COBRA 92, on Flickr

 

A quick outing this morning for 34067 making its northbound trip on the Valentines White Rose
Captured at Lindsells north of Biggleswade & Stowgate

 

Tangmere seen at Finsbury Park, Biggleswade and Stowgate:

 

Passing Sandy this morning