New tour operator - Spitfire Railtours

[theblackwatch]

Some of you may already be aware, but for those who don't, a new tour company "Spitfire Railtours" is advertising its first train on July 14th, using 55022 from King's Cross to Newcastle and back. Timings and fares are sensible - 08.15 start and back at 20.25, £49 for the full tour Std Class, and cheaper fares for those who just want to do the KX-York or York-Newcastle legs. Hopefully this will be the first of many similar trips...

Their website is at http://www.spitfirerailtours.co.uk.

 

[Max]

This looks very promising, and a £29 return fare from York to Newcastle isn't too bad for a railtour

 

[theblackwatch]

This looks very promising, and a £29 return fare from York to Newcastle isn't too bad for a railtour

Just one word of warning for anyone thinking of doing this leg - it says on the website that there are 'limited tickets' for York-Newcastle, so if you want a ticket at this price, best book sooner rather than later.

 

[The Snap]

Sorry to have to tell you, but the chances of 55022 running this tour, or any tour in the next few months, are very low indeed.

'022 had its engine in the week before last, for Martin to find it had cracked on the way to Bury from Bradford. It was repaired, and put in again. However after lots of messing about trying to get it in, its water flow is not working properly, and therefore the engine keeps shutting down...will take a while to fix.

 

[class 313]

Sorry to have to tell you, but the chances of 55022 running this tour, or any tour in the next few months, are very low indeed.

'022 had its engine in the week before last, for Martin to find it had cracked on the way to Bury from Bradford. It was repaired, and put in again. However after lots of messing about trying to get it in, its water flow is not working properly, and therefore the engine keeps shutting down...will take a while to fix.

Just 145 on the Wick tour then?

 

[The Snap]

The one on the 22nd/23rd June will most definitely be 40145 on its own, I'd have thought.

 

[87015]

The one on the 22nd/23rd June will most definitely be 40145 on its own, I'd have thought.

Ooh, bonus! Fear some strumming rancidity will appear though.....

 

[The Snap]

Duff?

 

[theblackwatch]

According to a post by Martin on Dreadful last night, 55022 has taken power on the new unit and should be moving to Barrow Hill tomorrow or Wednesday.

 

[yorkie]

According to a post by Martin on Dreadful last night, 55022 has taken power on the new unit and should be moving to Barrow Hill tomorrow or Wednesday.

So things are looking a lot better by the sound of it!

 

[The Snap]

He must have got it going over the weekend. The way the lads were talking on Saturday, it was in a bad way...

At leasts its working again - let's just hope it makes it to Barrow Hill!

 

[RJ]

55022 currently en route 0Z50 Castleton - Barrow Hill. Looks like it'll be on the tour after all, God willing.

 

[The Snap]

Has it got there without going bang? Hope it gets back OK, and its ready for the tour.

 

[RJ]

Yes, it made it and the top brass at WCRC have been told it is ready for the tour.

 

[class 313]

Yes, it made it and the top brass at WCRC have been told it is ready for the tour.

Ready for failing on the tour you mean

 

[The Snap]

Will be nice to see it on the tour - still think it shouldn't do it though. If I was Martin, I'd have slowed the process down, postponed the tour, and took my time. The loco, although ready, could potentially go bang again. If a little more time was taken to perfect it, the chances would be a lot lower...

I do however understand why Martin has done it - he has spent almost what he spent on the restoration on the new power unit and its repairs. He wants to get some money back on the loco, so I wish him the best of luck!

 

[RJ]

I wouldn't mind if 40145 was to take a more prominent role in the tour to give 55022 an easier time, congratulations to the owner and others associated with the Deltic for going to such lengths to keep it running

 

[TheSlash]

Water circulation isn't a major problem. DMU's are always shutting down for low water levels, it's a fail safe device.

 

[87015]

York/Newcastle tour has been caped/to be redated.

 

[richa2002]

York/Newcastle tour has been caped/to be redated.

Why do the tour operators never change their site?

 

[The Snap]

The water flow is still a problem with one of the engines. The loco also failed on Saturday at the ELR - a CCB popped out I believe. Luckily Malc Kirkwood (the driver) was a dab hand at solving the problem so he got it running again. '022 came off early, and went on shed for martin to have a look at.