RTC : The Buxton Spa Express - 14/03/26

Received email from RTC advising slight change to route

We are writing regarding your booking on The Buxton Spa Express on Saturday 14 March 2026 to advise you of a necessary amendment to the advertised route.
Owing to pathing constraints on the network, together with gauging restrictions identified during the final stages of operational planning, we are unable to operate via Darwen as originally intended.
The train will instead travel via Chorley to Blackburn, with the onward journey to Buxton running via Whaley Bridge. Our return journey from Preston will operate via Chinley and the Peak Forest.

 

Means a run up Bibbington, which makes a change from the usual downhill glide through Whaley Bridge. Think uphill has only been done once in the last 5 years.

 

I did wonder how they were going to find a path between Bolton and Blackburn with plenty of single track and more service trains than in years gone by. Last run south was early on a Sunday morning. Such a shame.

 

And I guess if a Black 5 will not fit anymore then there is little hope going forward.

 

Is the Black 5 coming on the back from Carnforth (Preston start) to start haulage at Man Vic (when the train reverses) and similarly is it hauling on to Preston to go back to Carnforth?

 

I think you misunderstood, if 45407 will be at Carnforth on the day of the trip it could come on the back of the ECS to Preston where the trip starts diesel hauled, if it is back at the ELR it could go LE to Man Vic and take over the train. In the 2nd instance will 45407 be returning to the ELR after Man Vic on the return or taking the trip back to Preston where the trip finishes (and on to Carnforth with the ECS. It makes a difference to where I board the train, Man Vic or Preston.

 

45407 is having its tender painted at Carnforth. It will be on the back of the train to Man Vic from Carnforth. It will take the lot back to Carnforth. And it’s off to KWVR the same evening. Path already in RTT.

 

Thanks a lot, Preston it is then.

 

It is also doing the Whitby excursion on the 18th before going to the KWVR steam gala that same evening

 

Correct. But it is still going to Keighley on the night of the Buxton job.

 

i wonder will it go to York the day before, the 17th ready for the Whitby trip on the 18th or come from KWVR on the tour day as it won’t need turning

 

Please accept my ignorance of the area, but whereabouts do they turn the engine at Buxton please

 

They dont. Will be diesel regs out the station to the reversing sidings then down through the Quarry

 

No turn needed at Buxton, Into station from Stockport down the bank, passengers alight for their break, Diesel pulls whole train back into sidings for servicing. On return Steam pulls back into station for passengers to board, then diesel takes the whole train back into the sidings where it reverses and leaves going via Great Rocks (Quarries) and Chinley triangle to head back to Manchester. Hope this helps.

 

Thanks it will be my first trip to Buxton with steam, hence why i asked

 

Many thanks

 

Done it now thanks Ralph, and can see how it works now