The Elge Explorer

Fine. As we know that Ben at least from VT engages with this forum, he could have stated two weeks ago that there was a gauging problem, real or just virtual within NR's computer, that they hoped to resolve but if not 5043 would be the reserve loco. I rate VT trips very highly but I am mystified as to the reluctance of steam tour companies to be open about developments. Too often rumours turn out to be completely correct. As has been stated often before steam tours are an expensive product but their advertising leaves much to be desired.

 

Sounds like "computer says no" more than an actual wide to gauge problem, but as mentioned, safer to switch at this stage.

 

Come on guys. It's still steam and still a GWR 4-6-0.

And from what brother Gricer Don tells me, always very enthusiastically about VT trips, it has just about the highest chance of any steam trip of being box free these days.

I'd actually go on some of these trips but I live in fear of a major loco failure caused by the cab collapsing because it hasn't got an axle with a wheel attached each end underneath it!

 

Or that the crew fall (or jump!) out of the cab due to the lack of doors...

 

I see the flat earth society is in session, frightened rigid of decent engineering

 

well said, either way they are both gwr 4-6-0s and with vt trips, you get steam in both directions, theres not many tours companies that can say that....

 

Oh, come on, the GWR wasn't THAT bad!

 

so, is there any news of times changing

 

oh man, i hope it doesn't run too early as i dont want to miss it

 

My mate has the tickets and informs me that we should be at Tyseley WR at 07:30 (presumably for a prompt 07:40 departure, as RTT haven't changed the departure time yet). We are unsure of the return time, which will be relayed to us on the train if it hasn't appeared on RTT or uksteaminfo in the meantime.

 

VT usually give a time earlier than the actual time.

 

Yes, I guess that's to ensure that passengers get there in good time, although I have known it to cause confusion when passengers turn up for the xx.30 charter to Whereever, ask the station staff which platform it goes from. Staff check their notices and find there's no such train, but there's an xx.40 to Wherever. Having said that, I was on one tour which was able to leave a pick-up station a few minutes early based on the NR time, but a few minutes late based on the VT time, so always best to go by the latter (but with the knowledge that you've usually got about 10 minutes to spare in the case of tight connection).

 

Better than to give a few passengers the hump when they cut things too fine and get caught out, plus loading/unloading at Tyseley Warwick Road isn't the quickest process in the world with the short platform.

 

so, tomorrows the big day, im very looking forward to it.

 

5043 in stunning morning conditions on the Elge Explorer

 

That was just wonderful!

 

Well the 1515 New Street just got put in our platform at las minute. So we're waiting for 5043 to be let out of the siding. Just coming out now.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4

 

Very Very nice indeed, one of your best. I caught it at Stamford, where, surprise surprise it was 15 minutes early causing much angst to the late comers. It will be up on here later but I am currently in the midst of my four-far steam chase, 3 down - 1 to go. 70000 - tick, 5043 - tick, '09 - tick, 34067 dusk night shot to come.