The Cracoe Jack 23rd Oct

[wensley]

Very true (although in my case it's a pencil). It won't really contribute much to your 9,000 miles.

Well every little helps. With this included I can almost reach 8500 and with a couple more trips I have planned I can do it

 

[4SRKT]

A couple of intensively used Day Rovers will clear that off no problem at minimal cost.

 

[garnon]

Top and Tail 67 apparently. From York it is £22.50, not sure if they are picking up in Skipton but sure you could get over to York for it! Looks like I have one weekend in October planned now!

I'd be surprised if Skips were passed for the branch (and therefore supect more likely to be a 2 Sheds T n T which is what was used last time UKR went there), but I am happy to be corrected on that.

 

[4SRKT]

I'd be surprised if Skips were passed for the branch (and therefore supect more likely to be a 2 Sheds T n T which is what was used last time UKR went there), but I am happy to be corrected on that.

I'd personally happy for you to remain correct on that, due to too much unplanned skip action recently.

 

[142094]

Just going off what railtourinfo.co.uk has on it.

 

[theblackwatch]

Just going off what railtourinfo.co.uk has on it.

Railtourinfo is notoriously imaccurate for its power (I think they make it up if they don't know - they've listed 67s on at least 2 routes they aren't cleared for this year!). However, on this occasion, the site is correct!

 

[43167]

On a tour thats effectively an enthusiasts tour from York, surely it would make sense to have 66's hauling. Also consider 67's arnt exactly rare on passenger trains at the moment given that on a normal weekday almost half the class are in action. (3 on Scotrail sleepers, 2 on Fife Circle, 4 on FGW & 3 or 4 on W&SR).

 

[wensley]

Presumably 67s will be used to make the reveral simple at YRK at the same time as allowing a high speed run from London.

 

[theblackwatch]

On a tour thats effectively an enthusiasts tour from York, surely it would make sense to have 66's hauling. Also consider 67's arnt exactly rare on passenger trains at the moment given that on a normal weekday almost half the class are in action. (3 on Scotrail sleepers, 2 on Fife Circle, 4 on FGW & 3 or 4 on W&SR).

UK Railtours has no need to specify motive power normally and leaves the choice to DBS (specifying power costs money) - the train won't be full of enthusiasts, the large majority of his passengers are made up of diners who couldn't care less what hauls the train. Also a 66 cannot supply train heat therefore a generator van is needed which means one less passenger coach, less seats to sell so the cost per seat goes up. John Farrow is one of the most successful tour promoters and knows what he is doing - many of his trips, despite not requesting power, are full months in advance.

 

[4SRKT]

UK Railtours has no need to specify motive power normally and leaves the choice to DBS (specifying power costs money) - the train won't be full of enthusiasts, the large majority of his passengers are made up of diners who couldn't care less what hauls the train. Also a 66 cannot supply train heat therefore a generator van is needed which means one less passenger coach, less seats to sell so the cost per seat goes up. John Farrow is one of the most successful tour promoters and knows what he is doing - many of his trips, despite not requesting power, are full months in advance.

Maybe a sensible compromise would be a skip for the section to York where speed is a factor and the diners' indifference to traction makes it a sensible choice. Then put a shed on the other end for the top and tail to Cracoe, over the section that is going to have a lot more enthusiasts on.

 

[theblackwatch]

Maybe a sensible compromise would be a skip for the section to York where speed is a factor and the diners' indifference to traction makes it a sensible choice. Then put a shed on the other end for the top and tail to Cracoe, over the section that is going to have a lot more enthusiasts on.

Again that would be an extra ££ cost as it increases the number of locos needed by 50%. Another engine would need to come to York to be bolted onto the back, which would also need a shunter (person, not 08!). It would also require the loco which hauled the train into Kings Cross to be removed either there or at York - this couldn't be a 66 because, as you say, speed is a factor on the ECML.

 

[4SRKT]

Again that would be an extra ££ cost as it increases the number of locos needed by 50%. Another engine would need to come to York to be bolted onto the back, which would also need a shunter (person, not 08!). It would also require the loco which hauled the train into Kings Cross to be removed either there or at York - this couldn't be a 66 because, as you say, speed is a factor on the ECML.

?

If anything it should decrease the loco cost (although not the shunter cost). A skip London > York, with the shed dropping on the end to TNT the train to Cracoe. Total loco miles reduced by 2 x 188.5 miles. Why couldn't the same loco propel the stock into the Cross and hauls it out?

 

[Jordy]

I'd forgotten about this tour, saw it earlier in the year. Certainly a nice bit of track available - might have to make a booking!

 

[43167]

Should point guys, this tour starts at Shenfield, not Kings Cross. On the Genny Van, there is a Mk1 BSK in the DBS charter stock fleet that has had a generator fitted in the luggage van and if thats used they wont need to drop a passenger coach from the formation.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

UK Railtours has no need to specify motive power normally and leaves the choice to DBS (specifying power costs money) - the train won't be full of enthusiasts, the large majority of his passengers are made up of diners who couldn't care less what hauls the train. Also a 66 cannot supply train heat therefore a generator van is needed which means one less passenger coach, less seats to sell so the cost per seat goes up. John Farrow is one of the most successful tour promoters and knows what he is doing - many of his trips, despite not requesting power, are full months in advance.

I am well aware on how well John Farrow has done as tour promoter. I have done plenty of his tours in the past, all enjoyable too.

 

[theblackwatch]

I hadn't realised this tour starts at Shenfield. I'm sure DBS have reasons for spec'ing 67s for the job. If you want 66s, go to Bathgate a few weeks later! Incidentally, and although not relevant to this tour, you cannot propel into or out of Kings Cross - another loco or DVT is required.

I would probably have done this mini tour myself had it been booked 66s rather than 67s, but I can save my time snd money for something else!

 

[garnon]

Again that would be an extra ££ cost as it increases the number of locos needed by 50%. Another engine would need to come to York to be bolted onto the back, which would also need a shunter (person, not 08!). It would also require the loco which hauled the train into Kings Cross to be removed either there or at York - this couldn't be a 66 because, as you say, speed is a factor on the ECML.

The recent tours to Bridlington and Scarborough (both via ECML) were 66's (albeit needed for the yorkshire coast route). John Farrow uses a regular charter path out of Kings Cross on a saturday (8.15 departure I think) and this is not timed at either 90 or 100mph.

Still not convinced this is booked for 67's unless someone has seen paperwork to the contrary. Has shed written all over it to me.

 

[wensley]

67s have been up the branch on charters before, they have train supply reducing the need for an extra genny coach or the need to lose a passenger coach in place of a genny van. It is possible that it could be a 66 on the southern end and a 67 on the north end running them round at York on the way back but I am almost certain it will be TnT 67s for ease of operation and to keep cost down.

 

[d1015fan]

booked on this tour as route is required and looking forward to it. hopefully a pair of required 67's roll up on as aiming to do 15 this year out of the 30 and currently on 12/30 thanks to the taunton cardiff's and cardiff paignton's

 

[9K43]

Just saw this tour operated by UK Railtours, which is a mini tour from York - Rylstone Quarry near Skipton on the 23rd October. Just wondering if anyone knows when the last time a tour was on this branch line?

I was the guard on a a charter up to Rylstone. This train was run with a black 5 on the front and a 66 on the rear.
The steamer pulled the train upto the buffers at Rylcon, taking the train through the rapid loading bunker.
The 66 then dragged the train back to Skipton, through the down loop at Skipton Station upto Hellifield.
I detached the 66 on down platform at Hellifield, did a brake test and the steamer disappeared the way it came.
The 66 went L/E and GD back to HM.
This was about 10 years ago.

 

[142094]

Seems like there has been quite a few recently, still another line to mark off in the book.

 

[GNERman]

For anyone on the tour from York or at York Station seeing the tour....

http://railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?p=498504#post498504

 

[9K43]

The train will be T and T, about a mile from the quarry is a TMO crossing, which is kept locked, and the key is at Skipton.
Either side of this crossing are Stop Await Instructions boards.
To make things faster, someone will go upto the crossing and open the gates, but the train will have to stop at the boards and be called over by the shunter.
The line up from Skipton is up and down like a big dipper.
A train can RR at the quarry, but it will mean the train having to go through the rapid loading bunker, onto the buffers.
Passengers will not be able to get off the train, as there is limited clearance thru the bunker.
I have worked up and down that line many times from Leeds and return back to Neville Hill/Hunslet East.
When Leeds Holbeck had this job, they used two Class 31's.
In the latter days, I have been on 56's, 60's and 66's up to Rylcon.
Class 60's were the best by far.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

For this tour didn't they ask the owners of the quarry, not NR, for access, hence why its going. I'm on it anyway, and being perfectly honest I couldn't care less what's topping or tailling it

 

[GNERman]

I agree MattE2010, have you seen this - http://railforums.co.uk/showthread.p...504#post498504

 

[MidnightFlyer]

I agree MattE2010, have you seen this - http://railforums.co.uk/showthread.p...504#post498504

The webpage couldn't be found hock:. Tell me what its about and I'll find it

 

[GNERman]

yeh sorry this - http://railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?p=498504#post498504

 

[MidnightFlyer]

yeh sorry this - http://railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?p=498504#post498504

Hmm, maybe, train from BBN gets in about 1120 Bit tight, but I cant be bothered to get an earlier one

 

[GNERman]

yeh sure no probs, we don't even know the proper times for the tour yet, it's just a way of Forum Members meeting up...

 

[hstdave]

hi is there much in the quarry to see in the way of locos and wagons

 

[MadCommuter]

Around 10 years ago, I recall seeing specials to the quarry where passengers alighted for the Grassington Dickensian Festival, just before Christmas. A quick Google search found a tour again this year, but only as far as Skipton.

http://www.ukrailtours.com/tourshow...le=101211_GRASSINGTON_DICKENSIAN_FESTIVAL.txt