Saphos Trains 2026

Presumably 34067 didn't have the usual Bulleid/Jarvis signage next to the regulator?

Bryan

 

Late in posting this sequence of 60532 Blue Peter heading north on the Cumbrian Mountaineer. Seen at Cleveley Bank Lane Forton

 

One of my favourite locations for photographing steam in the mid 1960s!

 

Christmas railtours for 2026 are now avaliable to book

1 Christmas White Rose, 2 Bath Christmas Markets and 3 Pennine Moor Explorer Circulars, the latter of which is rostered for 71000, 60532 and 60007

Also the return of Standard class to the latter tours and 1st class across all 6 have been reduced in price

 

Christmas!! We've only just made it to Easter!

 

Pennine Moors potentially a really good itinerary with 60532. It's reminiscent of the 2020 Cotton Mills, too.

 

Hopefully no blockades at Huddersfield!!
60532 Blue Peter through my local station, wonder how far the Huddersfield Station rebuild will have reached by Christmas

 

It is a good itinerary, one that is a surprise isn't tried more regularly by WC I feel, given the locality etc. I've just assumed they've concluded it isn't likely to be a profitable offering.
Likewise more involving the Little North Western route.

 

Speaking on new trips. While not on the website yet. In the latest Trackside edition it commented on how in September there will be another Cumbrian Mountaineer, this time pulled by Braunton.

So does indeed look like the whole LSL Steam fleet is going to get its turn eventually.

 

Might that be getting towards the time when Braunton is due to come out of traffic?

 

I'd assume so. Could be it's final run.

Speaking of which isn't Mayflower close to the end of it's ticket too?

 

Not sure about the B1, did it maybe get a fresh ticket when LSL bought it? It was in the works a while for air braking etc.
If not it must have been 2017 when outshopped from 10A last time. When was that double header with 35018 which was the return of 61306? January '18?

 

2nd February 2019.

 

The previous issue of Trackside (or one of the other mags) mentioned that Mayflower was going to be the first LSL steam loco to have ETCS fitted. So I doubt it is near the end of its ticket if it's first for that.

 

Thanks.
So that suggests the boiler was initially certified sometime during 2018, so possibly another couple of years to go yet.

 

Unless the plan is to overhaul it first and then install ETCS like they did with Tornado. If Mayflower is in reasonably good condition and there's the cash to do it it could easily be turned around fairly quick.

 

I have a recollection of reading that once 6024 is turned out 45231 is next through the works. Logically this might be with a view to replacing the B1?

 

Perhaps. I had heard last year from someone in LSL that Braunton is going to the back of the queue apparently so that'd back up 45231 to be worked on next.

 

If that's the case for Braunton then it may well go to Margate and 46100 perhaps come out as I think it was said the latter would only be there for a short time.
Wonder whether the "queue" includes 35027. Obviously 60019's overhaul is now underway too.

 

I'm glad they're doing some of the circular tours, with no destination. I much prefer those in the Winter months. No need to spend several hours trudging around somewhere in the cold while trying to avoid Christmas market crowds, instead just a pleasant day on the train in heated coaches through lovely winter scenery. Leave your pickup point at a reasonable time and get back at a reasonable time, with most of the trip in daylight hours. I think I'll do the Pennine Peaks from Birmingham. I've never actually done the Little North Western by steam before.