Saphos 2024

Not sure how gauge friendly it would be in some parts of the route!

 

I don't think the A2 is cleared for running yet, seems to have been on another test run to Preston today.

 

The Three Bridges to Bath trip on 9th December has a very odd listing on Railway Herald (attached). The Saphos web site says it is steam-hauled throughout from Three Bridges to Bath and back, so I don't know what the reference to 47s is about...

 

The RH listing mentions Steam coming on and off in West London, despite the tour going South down the Brighton Mainline and along the West Coast way line, rather than heading North through London.

There was a previous SD trip that started at Haywards Heath to Oxford, which was Class 47 hauled to and from West London and Steam taking it to Oxford, so maybe a mix up?

 

My point exactly.

 

thanks, yes I knew about 70000 on the Steam Dreams one on the 28th

 

Times are out for the 28th; another diesel departure from York, reverse at Milford Jn then to Hambleton Jns:
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...8/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt&toc=LS

 

Access to York Turntable is fairly hard to come by at the moment I understand. Plus it’s easier to keep every thing attached and just reverse.

 

Any ideas what might be hauling the Three Bridges to Bath trip next Monday? I'm at work that morning so will miss the outward leg, just debating whether to pop out and see the return leg in the evening. If it's 46100 I'll definitely try to make the effort as I've still been able to see it this far.

 

I believe 46100 is on its last outing tomorrow.

 

Personally I thought the Saphos one was announced first? I could be wrong.

But let us say it was announced second….Why then has the more expensive, yet probably more luxurious, trip sold out when the RYTC one hasn’t? Perhaps the threat of Blue and Greys or ‘Coffins’ is too much for those of Three Bridges?

 

This isn’t a new thing, last year both companies ran Kings Cross to York on the same day! From memory one picked up at Potters Bar & Stevenage the other Welwyn GC & Hitchin but still same areas.

 

Thanks Harry, I guess it'll be one of 34046 or 70000 instead then.

It isn't a usual starting point for an LSL affiliated charter company, but RTC used to regularly run charters from Three Bridges (originally they ran from Haywards Heath) to Bath and Bristol (and occasionally Weymouth). They used to run 2 a year from Three Bridges, one in March and one in December, usually hauled by 34067 or a Black Five (a few had 44871 and 45407 double heading). They disappeared a for a while but one happened last year and this year has rarer haulage in the form of 35028.

I can't remember how she received it (post or local paper), but a few months back my Nan got a little brochure advertising a SD trip from Haywards Heath to Oxford (diesel hauled into London where 46100 was attached and detached on return), so perhaps it's a market area LSL are looking to expand in, especially as Steam in recent years has gone a bit quieter, bar the Christmas Sussex Belle trips RTC run.

 

Chairman's Train, 46100 Royal Scot, 3rd December 2024.
Filmed at Selling and Pluckley:

 

Royal Scot on today's Chairman train, seen at Beckenham Hill, Selling, Aylesham and Redhill.

 

Royal Scot on today's Chairman train, seen at Beckenham Hill, Selling, Aylesham and Redhill.

 

Facebook post says 46100 will lead the ECS back tomorrow.

 

Great news, will likely head out for it, thank you.

 

Two generator cars and a diesel!
I like how the Scot is reflected in the service train's windows before it appears directly.