Recent content by Gunslinger

The Kyle of Lochalsh leg of the GB in 2024 and the Mallaig leg of the GB this year involved tender first running. Also seem to recall a VT Shakespear Express running tender first between Snow Hill and Stratford a couple of years ago.

Quote from local press release (Scarborough): "They will be operated by one of West Coast Railway’s stable of historic locomotives like the famous Scots Guardsman, Galatea or Oliver Cromwell, which pulled British Rail’s last steam train". Might just about be partially true if 44871 gets...

About time they were moved. Not exactly a good advert for the company visible from trains passing Southall.

A bit tight on the legroom, compared with the regular FOs I should have thought. Looks like they are marshalled at the Premier Dining end of the train, next to the kitchen.

Does anybody know what the ECS working 5Z42 between Carnforth and Southall on Thursday 16th is?

Don't hold your breath to expect anything too soon. As reported by the BBC yesterday: "The ORR said no agreement had been reached on an exemption and the application was being reviewed. A spokesperson said: “We note that West Coast Railways recognises the need for Central Door Locking on the Mk1...

Specifically, 44871 which is just completing its winter overhaul, and referenced the GB XVIII tour which starts on the 18th, and the Jacobite. I would imagine the Black 5 would be needed for all or part of the Fort William legs on the 21st and 23rd as well as the 'optional' Mallaig run the 22nd...

So in theory their CDL fitted Mark 1 stock might be available to hire out to other operators?

No dead loco?

Except that they have been accepting bookings for tour groups from numbers of operators, including Great Rail Journeys, starting from 26th April.

Any insights into what is going on at Didcot? From Oxford Mail 11th February 2026: "The head of an Oxfordshire railway museum has resigned amid a reported power struggle at the organisation. After five years as chief executive of Didcot Railway Centre, Clive Hetherington stood down on January...

Interesting that on the Jacobite web page for 2025 they are offering 'compartment' carriages for the morning service 'subject to essential maintenance work being completed'. Do WCR have any Mark IIs with individual compartments, or is this a hint that some Mark Is may be getting CDL...

Visited for the first time at the weekend; yes, some of the infrastructure looked like it needed a bit of TLC but at least it worked and so far as we know is safe. The main stations at Butterley and Swanwick were well maintained, the 'vintage' train set was immaculate as was the Jinty. Many of...

Look at it this way, the more money he spends on trains the less goes to funding the snake oil merchants.

Diesel was apparently taken off for 'weight' reasons, which seems a bit odd as I'm sure other tours using the Central Wales route are diesel hauled. The Class 47 made its own way between Craven Arms and Llandeilo Junction via Newport, where it was attached to the rear of the train and hauled it...