S&C 150: 25/05/26

A rare southbound morning S&C tour.

https://settle-carlisle.co.uk/celebrate-150-years-of-passenger

Settle-Carlisle 150 anniversary steam train from Carlisle to York on Monday 25th May 2026.
The Settle-Carlisle Railway Development Company invites you to join us for a very special steam-hauled journey celebrating 150 years of passenger railway on the world-famous Settle–Carlisle line.

On Bank Holiday Monday, 25 May 2026, step back in time as our magnificent steam locomotive departs from Carlisle, travelling south through some of the most breathtaking scenery in the UK, with pick-up stops at Appleby, Settle, and Skipton, before arriving in the historic city of York.

Sit back and enjoy sweeping views of the Eden Valley, the Yorkshire Three Peaks - Pen-y-Ghent, Ingleborough and Whernside - and the iconic Ribblehead Viaduct, one of Britain’s most celebrated railway structures.

On arrival in York, you’ll have several hours of leisure time to explore this remarkable city. Wander the awe-inspiring Gothic halls of York Minster, uncover the city’s Viking heritage, or immerse yourself in railway history at the National Railway Museum.

For something a little more relaxed, browse York’s independent shops and cafés, including the postcard-perfect medieval street, The Shambles.

After our time in York, we’ll rejoin the steam train for a scenic return journey to Carlisle, retracing our earlier route through the Dales and Eden Valley.

Locomotive requested - Battle of Britain Class “Tangmire” (their spelling!)

Approximate timings (TBC)

Depart Carlisle - 7.45, Appleby - 8.30, Settle - 9.40, Skipton - 10.40 Arrive York - 12.25

Depart York - 17.00, Skipton - 19.25, Settle - 20.30, Appleby - 21.30, Arrive Carlisle - 22.10

 

Got excited, then read, Tangmere has been requested

 

Yes a crying shame it's not a jubilee on mark 1 stock would of booked it instantly

 

sadly due to the stubbornness of the WCRC owner
it’s all that’s available!!

 

No mention of the stock to be used at all.

 

Mk2's I would think, unless they've secretly fitted a set of Mk1's with CDL.

Dave B

 

Im sure Mr Smith would be really keen to do something about the situation with views like that being expressed!

 

You could do what David Smith has done and bought coaches, steam locomotives, diesel locomotives and a depot. And set up your own train operating company?

 

A number of the ex Riviera Mk2F coaches have opening ventilator windows. It’s not without the realms of possibility that those could be included in the formation.

 

WCRC are quoted as saying it'll cost £7m to fit 120 vehicles with CDL. They don't have 120 Mk1s! At most they only need about 60 for two mainline sets, two Jacobite sets, and a couple of dozen spares.

As you say, there's a lot of third party collateral damage with his CDL policy and other actions. I understand the reason RTC are running diesel hauled trips this year isn't to take over the Pathfinder market, it's simply to run trains and make money because there's only 34028 to rely on for the rest of their programme this year. 34067 is a bit flaky to say the least (and is often used on Northern Belle workings) and 35028 is generally used on Belmond charters.

 

Three. Always a gamble as to (a) whether they will be used, and (b) where they will be situated in the train. I don't gamble.

 

I suspect the diesel trips do have an element of taking over the Pathfinder market, as they are picking up at stations that were the traditional Pathfinder catchment area.

 

Are both Fives going up to Scotland for Jacobite workings? I thought one was staying back, the Sussex Belle is still rostered as Black Five haulage.

 

Well assuming the season starts as normal - One will go up at the back end of March/Early April for the first 4 weeks of 1 train running. Then it would be expected the 2nd would go up for two train running after the Great Britain.

 

Are those not (a) air brake only and (b) nothing like the Harry Potter coaches?

 

45407 Doing the RTC Buxton & Whitby tours mid March, then the KWVR steam gala, last i saw no work has been done on 44871 at Bury as it still had Polar Express markings and headlight fixed about 10 days ago

 

Yes and yes.

 

So by your reckoning with ONLY 60 coaches WCRC ONLY need to find 3.5 million pounds to fit CDL to their coaches! Not exactly small change still.
How-much profit do you estimate a rail tour with MK1 coaches makes an operator/vehicle hirer? I would guess £5-10k max, as any coach/loco hire revenue will be used up on maintenance and renewals on those vehicles at overhaul.
At that level WCRC will be waiting a very long time to see any money back on their CDL investment! If ever!

 

Yes, at risk of being told to go and buy a few working Jubilees and a decent supply of MK1s with CDL , that would be superb.

Not sure I would come up for that, but it would give me a Jub both ways over the S & C. I had one great run over that route northbound with a Jub on the famous 10.17 Leeds - Carlisle in 1967.

I can't check down the back of my sofa to see if there is enough to buy the Jubs and MK1s, as there wasn't time to move it out of the projected path of the 10 July 1967 asteroid.

Bryan - living proof that some dinosaurs survived the 10 July 1967 asteroid impact - B