Northern Belle 2026

Perhaps more a case of 34067 being conserved for the SSE when the Belle can be either steam or diesel hauled easily enough?

 

That's a very "glass half-full" view. Either way, it would seem that 10A don't have a lot of confidence in its availability.

 

Maybe so but given the paucity of loco availability WC doesn't really have a good choice available, I'm guessing they'd prioritise the SSE over the Belle, with other charters upcoming too. The booking for the Belle has a very bold caveat in it that steam isn't guaranteed, with refund terms, so it's pretty clear there's a strong chance it won't be steam hauled.

 

Yeah I think from WCR's perspective, the Northern Belle is the one that it's the lowest priority for the reasons you've said.

When you effectively have one steam locomotive covering operations in the north they are likely trying their best to keep Tangmere running, it is known for not being the most reliable loco ever, so slightly restricting it's use helps by not over working the loco. As much as I'm not a massive fan of Tangmere, have to admit it does do a lot more trips then a lot of other Mainline locos and if we were in normal times it wouldn't be used quite as much and it likely also wouldn't have failed as much.

 

It'll be interesting to discover whether the reported 10 yearly overhaul of 35018 has extended to the adding of dual braking systems. With the amount of air only stock WC now operates another in-house loco would provide significant relief for all involved.
Cue pile on saying its easy to spend someone else's money, shouldn't tell the owner how to run the business etc.....

 

35018 would be a logical choice to be air braked on it's return if there's plans to air brake more of the fleet. Seeing as how 35028 is air braked and that runs with WCR I'm sure the MN society would be happy to advise them at Carnforth for the best methods for the fitment of air brakes.

That also being said Bahamas won't be out for long so I've heard, could potentially be end of next year as apparently that's not a great deal of work needed. Bahamas is confirmed to be going air braked and I can only assume it will go back to working with WCR and might end up sharing Tangmeres work load in the north, while also staying close to the groups home base at K&WVR.

 

I'm sure the BLS would welcome working in the north to a much greater extent than the last operating period. Whether the need for air braking will be quite as acute by the time it returns is something that remains to be seen. If WC is serious about fitting CDL to the mk1s or somehow manages to get the exemption they are seeking the vac fitted 10A fleet will get priority.
If things stay as they are, however, 45596 would be a very busy engine you would imagine.

 

Unlike some on this forum who make a hobby of advising David Smith on how to run his business

 

You can allus tell a Yorkshireman ..... but you can't tell him much.