RTC 2014

E-Ticket arrived for the Seaford tour on the 7th, in the Buffet Coach, hopefully standard class will be towards the front. 70013 Confirmed loco.

 

Ticket for 8th arrived states 34067.

 

DOH! Should have booked the 8th trip, had Cromwell twice before. Although getting to Kenny 'O from Bedford would be a nightmare.

 

I've had Cromwell 7 times before, having travelled 1,718 miles behind it, followed by 34067 at a mere 848.5 miles over 4 trips. In a way, 70013's period out of action was useful for getting more mileage done behind other locomotives. Also, its heading for second half of its ticket now, so I wouldn't expect things to be quite as sparkling as they were two years into its ticket, when it managed to do Plymouth to Exter in 59 minutes 50-something seconds.

In total, I've done 10,655.25 miles behind steam in seven years, give or take ten or twenty miles, although a mate of mine did that much last year, although being a steward helped quite a bit...

 

Tangmere is supposed to run to Swanage on the 4th

 

Could be substituted by 44932 if unavailable, with a 'box' on the back to push.

 

A diesel will be needed regardless what hauls this trip, as the Swanage turntable can't accommodate a tender engine, so the whole formation has to be towed back from Swanage to a loop outside Southampton. RTC used to do this trip with one steam loco in each direction, like its "Dorset Coast Express" runs to Weymouth, but not any more, sadly.

 

There is already a diesel booked for this, and it's already at Swanage

 

Quite happy with that if it is a nice green colour and the number begins with D65 However the RTC "E Ticket" says "steam hauled by 34067 throughout"..........
(not complaining, just being pedantic )

 

Being originally from Fishguard myself, there's quite a few pubs to go to. The problem lies with the fact that there is no bus that takes passengers up to the town whenever there's a trip, and you'd need at least three hours to make sure everyone gets back in time for the departure. At the end of the day, you don't see Fishguard itself, but you do see Goodwick harbour. There's a bit more to see than what can be seen in 90 minutes.

 

It seems the 'East Riding' will coincide with Scarborough's 'Armed Forces Day' on 28 June: http://www.scarborough.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=17758

A bonus for those on the trip, but I presume the town will be pretty crowded. However, a chance to see a Lancaster and a Vulcan in one afternoon is not something to be sniffed at, so I'll probably be in town that day to see the goings on...

 

E-mail from RTC confirms that Sunday's loco to Seaford is now 44932.

 

Ollie hasn't left GCR?

 

Olllie is at Southall according to 5305 Loco Association Facebook page.

 

Alone...
I'm going to Streatham hill or more likely Selhurst on Sunday then.. Big load, big climb for it alone.

Saw 45407 and 44871 slip and struggle there to below a crawl on the ECS to 3 bridges at Christmas.

 

44932 will have a box on the rear, to help access branch lines, might give it a shove up there.

 

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'TBA' has appeared next to 34067 for the ACE on 22 June on uksteaminfo, but 34046 seems fine. I wonder what'll take 34067's place if it isn't ready in time? I wouldn't necessarily mind 70013 as I'll be able to 'clear' it for a second time, and if 34046 has had its tender wheels turned by then, it'll be a winning locomotive for me on the national network.