RTC 2026

Nothing shown on RTT as going from Barrow to Carlisle today, so I would assume it still is.
Thought the reopening is still some way off.

 

Thats right Sheff, the last I read the repairs at Bransty aren't expected to be completed until some time in 2027.
The Saphos Lakelander tomorrow, and presumably others this year, returns south via S&C, in effect a CME rather than CCE.
RTCs approach is novel, not going to Carlisle. Presumably the steam runs round at Ravenglass and brings the train back tender first, or vice versa?
Seem to recall WC running trains to Ravenglass circa 2010/11, can't recall the name of the train though.

 

Going back to 1980-81 Ravenglass steamex trains were advertised as "Cumbrian Coast Express" and the loco was turned on the BNFL triangle at Sellafield.

Sometimes two steam locos were used one out, one back though I think these too may have used BNFL to turn.

 

Yes the CCE of old turned at Sellafield. Although I recall as a very young 'un, two 5s double headed tender to tender on the coast line from Steamtown and back.
The more recent WC trains ran tender first one direction. The 8f and 44932 spring to mind as motive power.

 

Your heading is a bit confusing. The date of the train is June 27th, not May 27th ?

 

Correct! 45407+44871 at Dalton, 5th May 1973.

 

Wow, great shot, thanks.
That's the one but I didnt realise it was quite so long ago, turns out I was only 3 years of age!

 

The last steam tours to Ravenglass ceased in 2011 after Sellafield no longer allowed steam locos onto site to turn around, citing security matters.

Locos always ran chimney-first for as long as WCR operated them - and since Sellafield first let steam locos onto their triangle some time in the 70s.

 

Ah, I was wondering what would take that.

 

So what will be the mode of operation 27th June CCE, said to be Ravenglass & return?

 

There’s nowhere else to turn on the Cumbrian Coast, so the options are -

• Sellafield is letting the steam loco onto site
• Tender-first running in one direction
• Steam loco runs light to/from Carnforth to turn
• Top and tailing with diesel leading in one direction
• Two different steam locos used, one for outbound and one for return

 

Only going on past trips but - isn't there still a Barrow 'avoider' ? forming a 'Triangle' ?

 

There is indeed the Dalton Loop - however, it seems to be switched out at weekends now (I think Dalton Jn box), as virtually all Saturday charters round the coast in recent times have ran via Barrow, which was not the case up to 2011.

It also does not form a triangle, the necessary chords having long been dismantled.

 

Yes, thank you I just looked at the Map, I'll get my coat lol . . . .

 

I don't think so.

 

Well it'll be interesting to see which option the CCE adopts then. Steam haulage to or from Ravenglass, in one direction only, wouldn't offer much value for the passengers I daresay though.

 

So with Tangmere on the NB what will be on the Coast to Coast on the 6th June? if both Black 5’s are in Scotland?

 

I think that is what they call the million dollar question.

I’m not going to get in to an argument over this but here’s how I see it just reading what WCRC have said in statements and magazines….
- I read it as that they wouldn’t restart the Jacobite until they got the exemption to run non-CDL fitted stock, whilst carrying out a fitment programme (Ie let us run everything, and we will fit stock, and for every vehicle we fit we take a non-CDL one out to fit)
- If what I’ve read/believe in the above is right that would suggest the Jacobite is re-starting, and therefore they may have been given the above (Big emphasis on MAY)
- That could therefore lead to the general assumption the 6th June would be a normal job with MK1s and Vac Loco (Big assumption!).

Overall I think it’s positive either way. Things are happening!

 

Thankfully we've not got long to wait on this. Within the next few days RTC should hopefully announce the loco for the Coast to Coast trip.

 

So as it stands today --- things might change--- they have Tangmere for the Northern Belle, the northern based RTC trips and the Dalesman/SSE. Have I got that right?