Polar Express from London Euston and Edinburgh

The Edinburgh operations will also run, it’s expected a Riley Five will feature on both Edinburgh and London operations.

 

I read somewhere it is Euston to Wembley Yard, which I guess makes a change from Willesden SWS, both endowed with excellent scenic views

 

To coin a phrase, what on earth is second prize…?

Simon

 

Watford Junction?

I see some interesting discussions as the stewards try to balance the conflicting needs of family groups and BLS members with their Quails.

 

Having done VTs Polar Express last year, I can definitely say the scenic views are unimportant. There is enough to keep you entertained in the coach, without the need to look out of it.

 

I suspect Acton Lane Reception line next to the Scanska / Costain depot.
It's used by WCRC, so they are used to the location and it's not a busy as Willesden SWS for freights waiting a path over the West London Line or down the Poplar lines to the GWML.

Cheers, Neil

 

Willesden West London Junction Up / Down South West - for those interested in the scenic detail.

Steam also expected on the blocks at Euston.

 

I agree wholeheartedly. If people are looking out of the window we have done something wrong

 

Some shots of the Euston based Polar Express runs with 44871 today:

 

From RTT looked like three returns from Euston with quite a heavy train.

Bryan

 

I see they even have the 2 coaches with the top light windows!!

 

5 returns from Euston.

 

50 trains in December, 12 coaches, £ 60, should help keep 44871 running.

 

Sure it's an easy operation but I doubt that WCRC and Mr Riley will become rich on that operation. Polar Express is run by Warner Brothers, I think, and no doubt they will look after their own profits first....
Cheers, Neil

 

44871 has the easy, downhill leg.

 

Am I right in assuming that the trains reverse on the main (relief/slow) lines using the crossover? While that should be straightforward I do wonder about the possibility of failure/problems when changing motive power/direction. I know it's a very small risk, but a siding would provide security...

 

Very tiny risk in the grand scheme of things, as issues/failures regarding to direction of movement would tend to be picked up either during FTR or while stationary before departure (e.g stiff reverser not allowing travel between backwards and forwards etc).

Movements like these on the mainline happen very regularly on mainline services. On my own patch, we have North Berwick related movements that turn back on the Down North line at Haymarket Central Junction, and again on the Up Berwick at Prestonpans on the rather busy ECML. It is one reason that we, as drivers taking a service from a station where we haven't seen it arrive and spoken to the driver preceeding, we are expected to check and open the 'rear' cab of the unit to ensure there are no faults attributed to that cab or the safety systems applicable.

 

I would imagine that WCRC will have quoted a price, or maybe Rail Events International or PNP Events Ltd who seem to manage these things may well have said "this is what we want and this is what we are prepared to pay for it". After all the power in all these Polar Express events would seem to lie with the brand owner and its agents.