Locomotive Services Fleet (LSL) updates

[The_Train]

There is the second Midland Pullman HST set available now which is more likely to cater for Statesman clientele. It is possible however that we do see more Intercity tours simultaneously if more resources are spare, and driver training and route knowledge needs to be kept up.

Ah yeah, maybe the short Midland Pullman has been designed with the loss of The Statesman in mind!

In other news, has there been any recent updates on the Brighton Belle restoration?

 

[gazthomas]

We're very reliant on the Statesman up in North Wales and particularly the regular trips to Blaenau Ffestiniog where the mark 2s are essential given mark 3s aren't allowed up there.

 

[bleeder4]

We're very reliant on the Statesman up in North Wales and particularly the regular trips to Blaenau Ffestiniog where the mark 2s are essential given mark 3s aren't allowed up there.

Intercity are running a tour to Blaenau Ffestiniog in December so Mark 3s can't be banned, as Intercity charters use Mark 3 coaches.

 

[gazthomas]

Intercity are running a tour to Blaenau Ffestiniog in December so Mark 3s can't be banned, as Intercity charters use Mark 3 coaches.

I'll be pleased if they do make it!

 

[12LDA28C]

Intercity are running a tour to Blaenau Ffestiniog in December so Mark 3s can't be banned, as Intercity charters use Mark 3 coaches.

Intercity charters use whatever rake of stock is available, as necessary.

 

[Wyrleybart]

We're very reliant on the Statesman up in North Wales and particularly the regular trips to Blaenau Ffestiniog where the mark 2s are essential given mark 3s aren't allowed up there.

Is that correct ?
Am sure a HST has been up the Conwy valley. but 153s regularly worked the branch and are the same 23m length of Mk3s.

 

[sprinterguy]

Is that correct ?
Am sure a HST has been up the Conwy valley. but 153s regularly worked the branch and are the same 23m length of Mk3s.

Yeah. Hertfordshire Railtours' trips took HSTs to Blaenau Ffestiniog in March 1993 and April 1994 at least (Photo of the first trip on this page here: http://www.penmorfa.com/Conwy/six.htm), and 156s also worked over the branch at one time in the early nineties, so the line is no stranger to a variety of 23 metre rolling stock. In more recent times, and with photos on the same webpage, an ATW mark 3 push-pull set has also been down to Blaenua in September 2013.

 

[Ash Bridge]

And just to add to the above posts, don’t TfW class 197 dmus go up there which are formed of 24m length vehicles?

 

[bleeder4]

Saphos and Midland Pullman tours for next year now on the website.

 

[jfollows]

In other news, has there been any recent updates on the Brighton Belle restoration?

It was in the shop in Crewe when I visited last month; I agreed not to share any photographs but it was still being worked on and looked good. I recall it was described as a “money pit” or similar, though.

 

[gazthomas]

Is that correct ?
Am sure a HST has been up the Conwy valley. but 153s regularly worked the branch and are the same 23m length of Mk3s.

A few years ago the Pretendalino mark 3 set was only allowed as far as North Llanrwst and Jeremy Hopkins private train which includes both mark 2s and mark 3s had the mark 3s taken off at Llandudno before the train went to Blaenau.

I do agree that it is very odd given 197s make the trip daily.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 1 Oct 2024 ==

Is that correct ?
Am sure a HST has been up the Conwy valley. but 153s regularly worked the branch and are the same 23m length of Mk3s.

For the avoidance of doubt I checked Network Rail's latest sectional appendec as attached. It confirms mark 3s are not allowed.

 

[Harpo]

There’s lots more to gauge clearance than simply vehicle length. In the past ‘kinematic envelope’ was a popular phrase to describe the shape formed by the extremities of movement of every part of a vehicle.

A quick peek at last weeks Vintage Trains kettle-ex to Plymouth shows other factors aside from length that limited the platforms it could use and at what speed.

 

[Iskra]

Saphos and Midland Pullman tours for next year now on the website.

Notably, a couple with (West) Yorkshire pick-ups as someone was requesting on here.

 

[Killingworth]

Notably, a couple with (West) Yorkshire pick-ups as someone was requesting on here.

Sheffield notable for absence. Nearest Doncaster, Retford or Chesterfield.

 

[ainsworth74]

Would someone be able to explain what the actual identity is of the 47/7 that is pushing and pulling this weekends Push-pull InterCity tour in Scotland? The locomotive is badged as 47709 on one side and 47711 on the other both of which Wiki report as having been scrapped some years ago! Many thanks in advance!

 

[JonathanH]

Would someone be able to explain what the actual identity is of the 47/7 that is pushing and pulling this weekends Push-pull InterCity tour in Scotland? The locomotive is badged as 47709 on one side and 47711 on the other both of which Wiki report as having been scrapped some years ago! Many thanks in advance!

It is 47712, but carrying the other identities.

 

[jfollows]

Would someone be able to explain what the actual identity is of the 47/7 that is pushing and pulling this weekends Push-pull InterCity tour in Scotland? The locomotive is badged as 47709 on one side and 47711 on the other both of which Wiki report as having been scrapped some years ago! Many thanks in advance!

47712, which I saw at LSL Crewe on 10/9, see

ScotRail liveried 47712 "Lady Diana Spencer" masquerading as 47711 ‘Greyfriars Bobby on one side and 47709 on the other hauls The ScotRail "Push-Pull" set north along the west coast main line and through a cold but sunny Bamfurlong south of Wigan on the morning of Saturday 5th October 2024.

https://inter-city.co.uk/trips-tours/ also shows 47712

 

[ainsworth74]

It is 47712, but carrying the other identities.

47712, which I saw at LSL Crewe on 10/9, see

Perfect thank you both

 

[12LDA28C]

As LSL only operate one 47/7, it shouldn’t be too hard to work out…

 

[Cowley]

Perfect thank you both

Just red pen all of them.

 

[ainsworth74]

As LSL only operate one 47/7, it shouldn’t be too hard to work out…

Well yes, if you knew that then it is easy but if you don't know then it's tricky...

Just red pen all of them.

Excellent three for the price of one!

 

[The_Train]

It was in the shop in Crewe when I visited last month; I agreed not to share any photographs but it was still being worked on and looked good. I recall it was described as a “money pit” or similar, though.

Thanks for the update. Glad to see things are still progressing!

Thoroughly expecting it to be out of my price range and not really a unit I have any affiliation with anyway but it will be great to see it back out on the mainline at some point

 

[Jacob Porrett]

Locomotive Services Group Class 57311 "The Institution of Mechanical Engineers" with 57003 "Inter City Railway Society 50th Anniversary" working 1Z65 (Shrewsbury - Crewe) passing through Telford Central at 15:55. (12/10/24)

57311 was named "The Institution of Mechanical Engineers" at Crewe today. Complete with "IMechE Railway Division" headboard as well.

 

[Sun Chariot]

57311 looks glorious in that (pseudo LNWR pre-grouping?) livery, @Jacob Porrett

A photo here, of another LSL outing today - "The Portsmouth Harbour Statesman". The penultimate Statesman trip before planned overhaul and refurbishment.

 

[50002Superb]

Thanks for the update. Glad to see things are still progressing!

Thoroughly expecting it to be out of my price range and not really a unit I have any affiliation with anyway but it will be great to see it back out on the mainline at some point

There is some recent video of it here:

 

[Iskra]

There is some recent video of it here:

It's certainly an interesting video and insight, but a bit of shame that in the interview piece they talk over the interviewee just as he gets to some of the more interesting topics.

 

[Jacob Porrett]

There is some recent video of it here:

Very interesting. Interesting how they want to be a TOC not a charter company.

 

[The_Train]

There is some recent video of it here:

Great video, thanks for sharing. The Belle is looking resplendent

 

[12LDA28C]

Very interesting. Interesting how they want to be a TOC not a charter company.

LSL are already a TOC, they just don't run regular timetabled services.

 

[fgwrich]

Very interesting. Interesting how they want to be a TOC not a charter company.

LSL are already a TOC, they just don't run regular timetabled services.

Indeed, and have been for some time. Hence their ability to run and operate their own charter services with their own stock as well as services on behalf of others; eg the Avanti Friday-ex’s.