RTC: Tynesider - 4/7/26

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U86870/2026-07-04/detailed

My head is sore from tryimg to work out what three reversals means.

 

In simple terms a steam loco is prohibited from using a cross-over between platforms at a station. Therefore you cannot gain direct access to the Blythe and Tyne from the down main at Morpeth. So after unloading passengers onto Platform 2 the train draws forward to Morpeth North Junction, then reverses to the Hepscott Junction area for servicing. It then reverses back to Morpeth North Junction where it again reverses , this time on the up line, to Platform 1 at Morpeth station. From here it can depart direct onto the B&T to head home.

Peter

 

To satisfy my curiosity, what is the reason for that?

 

The concern that the overthrow of the front end of a loco going through the cross-over may cause the cylinders to catch the platform edge.

Peter

 

thanks Peter. Presumably it parks for a couple of hours on the N to E chord out of the way. I think my reading is that if the loco is facing north on arrival at Morpeth, it is still facing north on departure.

 

As there is now a prohibit, I guess I can thank my lucky stars that The Wansbeck on 29 March 2014 did Platform 2 onto the B&T. Presumably the locomotives in use, 61264 and 62005, had no clearance issues. Also remember booking on it the following year, as Lynemouth was in the itinerary, but somewhat ironically considering the motive power this weekend the Wootton Bassett incident led to it's cancellation.

 

RTC sent an email earlier offering £30 off per person in standard and first class.

 

Clearly not sent to everyone on the mailing list. Might use the £20 off Yorkshire Post code if I decide to go for the rare Bulleid mileage.

 

Once again your having a dig at West Coast so could I make a suggestion. Why don’t you arrange a meeting at 10A with David Smith, Patricia Marshal and.James Shuttleworth to show them how to run WCR, I feel sure they would give you a fair hearing and send you back south from whence you came with a flea in your ear and a couple steel capped boots and a pair of stilettos placed about your rump!!

 

Dont fancy the steel toe capped boots but the stilettoes would be a change. lol

 

In fairness to the operators, from what I could see on Traksy, the debacle at York was a consequence of a procession of out of path/delayed service trains coming from Colton Junction on the down Leeds, along with further late running departures requiring the up Leeds, so poor old 86259 was stranded in P7. Had everything been on time then the P7-Holgate Loop move should have worked. There are definitely limitations with Holgate loop, of course, compounded when electric traction is also involved. Not sure what the answer is, really, as all through platforms were very busy - hence, presumably, why Holgate Loop seems to be the favoured option for traction changes.

ECML disruption? We're used to it. Too many trains at choke points, too little spare infrastructure and little slack in the system for late running recovery.

Incidentally, there appeared to be data feed issues to Traksy yesterday whilst I was watching the moves at York - supposed conflicting moves; signals on the display changing for no apparent reason, slow train ID refresh etc etc

Mark

 

You definitely seem to annoy those two Al, but they are members of the WCRSC!

 

It betrays a very peculiar mindset to suggest somebody goes to the trouble and expense of travelling with the aim of being disappointed in order to criticise the operator!
On the broader points about 'performance', it seems to me that the heart of WC isn't really in the business anymore. The firm did remarkable things for many years but since their compliance issues began a decade or so ago it all feels like it's become more hassle than reward. This shows up in the unwillingness to invest in CDL, air braking, buying mediocre certified stock whilst failing to keep the existing fleet in better order etc. Only the Northern Belle seems to buck this trend and, tellingly, that is co-owned.
LSL and VT were very wise to ditch reliance on WC, as others have said one can feel nothing but sympathy for RTC who themselves have been a brilliant charter provider down the years but are left at the mercy of "business decisions" made in the north of England.