Farewell to the Class 87's 29/12/07

[Snapper]

The final call for the Class 87's

http://www.spitfirerailtours.co.uk/future_tours.htm

 

[Julian G]

Shame its the end, it would had been better if the Tour started at Euston

 

[87015]

Already posted about and already booked ! Should be a good day out.
Can't do Euston - Glasgow and back no doubt as half the WCML will be shut between xmas and new year as usual, lucky any is open.

 

[37402]

Aaahh but will it actually be the end? After all, this is a class that has more lives than the average cat...

 

[87015]

Aaahh but will it actually be the end? After all, this is a class that has more lives than the average cat...

The esteemed EH tractor man makes a good point, but I personally can't feasibly see any OTMR fitment occurring? I think its Bulgaria or Booths, so either way fairly off the scope for us mortal bashers!

The other question is what 'farewell' will turn out to be the best day - I'll discount 10/6/05 as 22/12/06 was far far better - can this trump that night?

 

[Jord]

Can't believe it's come to the end, i may be tempted, as it's a farewell, but i can remember doing them about 3 years back on the Wolverhampton - Euston nearly every saturday

 

[Techniquest]

I think I will forego a Valenta chasing for this tour. Cheque will be in the post as soon as possible. Hoping to do a group booking with some other enthusiasts on this. £39.50 is an excellent fare for over 300 miles each way! That'll look good on my mileage sheets!

Now to figure out a way of getting there in late December. Relying on Govia is not going to be a fun option...Hell, if I have to it'll be buses to Gloucester, Megabus to London, Megabus to Birmingham, short hop on a 390 to Brum International, same for the way back! Long way round but I'd put money on Govia not running trains on the days required...

 

[thomasgholmes]

It`s a shame to see the 87`s go.
I think there brilliant locomotives.
I just hope not a lot of them are scrapped

 

[Snapper]

It`s a shame to see the 87`s go.
I think there brilliant locomotives.
I just hope not a lot of them are scrapped

They won't be scrapped. It's now been confirmed that Porterbrook have sold the rest of the Class to Bulgaria, so this railtour will certainly be the last chance to travel behind an 87 in the UK.

 

[Gizmogle]

I should be on this, along with David and maybe LittleRedTrain. Also I think Graeme (sp?) Wilson is considering doing it.

 

[960012]

i am considering doing this all depends if i can get to brum etc, i shall look into it later when im at home!

 

[Techniquest]

No longer booking onto this tour, I've got other traction and mileage to do.

 

[87015]

i am considering doing this all depends if i can get to brum etc, i shall look into it later when im at home!

WCML closed as per usual.
between christmas and new year shuttles Wembley/Harrow/Watford - Northampton by Silverlink/LM. All VWC operate north of Int'l only as further complete closure whilst NR messing around with Rugby a bit more:roll:

 

[37402]

They won't be scrapped. It's now been confirmed that Porterbrook have sold the rest of the Class to Bulgaria, so this railtour will certainly be the last chance to travel behind an 87 in the UK.

Errr. 87001...87035...and (eventually) 87031. Not saying they're going mainline for certain but they're staying in the UK.

 

[matt]

I know 87035 is preserved but who by and will they return it to the mainline? I can't see the NRM OTMRing 87001 and isn't 87031 is a non-runnable condition?

 

[Galvanize]

I know 87035 is preserved but who by and will they return it to the mainline? I can't see the NRM OTMRing 87001 and isn't 87031 is a non-runnable condition?

I think 035 is preserved by the Railway age at Crewe.

 

[Julian G]

I know 87035 is preserved but who by and will they return it to the mainline? I can't see the NRM OTMRing 87001 and isn't 87031 is a non-runnable condition?

I think 87001 has 87031's Transformer

 

[NSEFAN]

I thought that GBRF were keeping some 87s?

Have I missed something here?

 

[87015]

I thought that GBRF were keeping some 87s?

Have I missed something here?

Off lease at end of year due to OTMR requirement. Not sure what other option has been confirmed for 325 thunderbirding.

87031 remains a bit of a mystery!! Maybe eventually return to use with Vintage Trains alongside Peter Can

 

[Jord]

I'm almost certain i will be doing this, as i can't really miss it, but is there any chance GBRf throwing two 87s on it for good will? probably not

 

[Techniquest]

I've changed my mind, I want to do this now as it would allow me to clear the WCML with 87s and I would almost certainly regret not doing it afterwards!

 

[87015]

I'm almost certain i will be doing this, as i can't really miss it, but is there any chance GBRf throwing two 87s on it for good will? probably not

Its been mentioned Will wait for one of the more official sources to confirm but a few rumours doing the rounds, will need something to either shunt release at Central or top/tail...

 

[southy39]

well.. im booked on this....
first railtour... shame its during my busiest time of the year... but hey.. its well worth it.

not sure if its crazy to drive from glasgow to birmingham to go to glasgow , back to birmingham and then drive to glasgow

what stock is being used... anyone know?
if its the cargo D set.. any chance they could use a DVT for moving it from glasgow central to polmadie

 

[37402]

what stock is being used... anyone know?
if its the cargo D set.. any chance they could use a DVT for moving it from glasgow central to polmadie

Yes, and no need in that order.

 

[yorkie]

Is there enough interest for a block booking?

There is a Travelodge sale on at the moment and £19 rooms are available.

 

[Up Carriage Liner]

I haven't really been following this discussion, being a new member to the forums. Can anyone tell me the intentions for 87002 ("The AC Locomotive Group", purple (?) Porterbrook livery)? It's just that it's been sitting forlornly in Stonebridge Park Sidings for a few months, looking terribly vulnerable to a determined graffiti vandal.

I have seen 87022 ("Cock o' the North") and 87028 ("Lord President") in blue livery with First logos above the cab windows being used for driver training duties around the Wembley Traincare depot this summer. Both looked in very good condition to the untutored eye.

 

[southy39]

"Above" the windows... lol
you mean below the orange window surrounds .

rumour was 002 was being prepaired for mainline use.

either its being prepared for shipping overseas... OR FGBRf are going to hire an additional locomotive for the extra mail services this christmas.

personally i would bet on it being required to cover for east coast trains... this isnt confirmed but its a fair bet considering that there have been trial runs to newcastle RMT, and that Doncaster has been getting used ... along with rumours its got some Railnet use forthcoming.

I haven't really been following this discussion, being a new member to the forums. Can anyone tell me the intentions for 87002 ("The AC Locomotive Group", purple (?) Porterbrook livery)? It's just that it's been sitting forlornly in Stonebridge Park Sidings for a few months, looking terribly vulnerable to a determined graffiti vandal.

I have seen 87022 ("Cock o' the North") and 87028 ("Lord President") in blue livery with First logos above the cab windows being used for driver training duties around the Wembley Traincare depot this summer. Both looked in very good condition to the untutored eye.

 

[Up Carriage Liner]

"Above" the windows... lol
you mean below the orange window surrounds .

Ermmm, yes, memory failing due to advanced years.

 

[Techniquest]

Is there enough interest for a block booking?

There is a Travelodge sale on at the moment and £19 rooms are available.

If you're doing a block booking, I wouldn't mind being added to it. Might encourage me to actually send the money off to get the tour booked.

As for the Travelodge, no ta I'll be dossing it proper basher style.

 

[RJ]

I'd go