Could a steam special run through the Channel Tunnel?

[MarkyT]

Can an Oil-fired steamer heat up quicker than a Coal-fired loco? I was led to believe it's the metal of the boiler changing shape if it expands too quickly that's the problem, not getting the fire to temperature.

It wouldn't be starting from cold. Maintain full pressure until the last minute, and switch off your burners only once the haulage electric has attached. A well-insulated modern boiler could maintain most of the pressure and temperature for a long time, certainly for 30 to 60 minutes, bearing in mind none of the stored energy would be used for traction during the tunnel transit. The DLM modern steam rack locos on the Brienz Rothorn railway rely on that concept for day in day out operations, and if they need to start an extra one from cold (assuming someone remembered to leave it plugged in!) they can remotely switch on an electric preheating unit that can allegedly attain full running pressure in a few hours unattended. No 3AM starts to prepare and light fires, no ash, and only a little soot to clean up with automatic light oil firing that can be operated by a single crew member in normal service.

 

[zwk500]

It wouldn't be starting from cold. Maintain full pressure until the last minute, and switch off your burners only once the haulage electric has attached. A well-insulated modern boiler could maintain most of the pressure and temperature for a long time, certainly for 30 to 60 minutes, bearing in mind none of the stored energy would be used for traction during the tunnel transit. The DLM modern steam rack locos on the Brienz Rothorn railway rely on that concept for day in day out operations, and if they need to start an extra one from cold (assuming someone remembered to leave it plugged in!) they can remotely switch on an electric preheating unit that can allegedly attain full running pressure in a few hours unattended. No 3AM starts to prepare and light fires, no ash, and only a little soot to clean up with automatic light oil firing that can be operated by a single crew member in normal service.

I'd be surprised if the loco was allowed to maintain steam pressure during transit, although I guess it's all academic anyway.

 

[MarkyT]

I'd be surprised if the loco was allowed to maintain steam pressure during transit, although I guess it's all academic anyway.

Not likely to ever be allowed realistically I agree, not least because it'd cost a fortune to do the detailed work to make a case and get trusted engineering and safety professionals to sign off on the idea! Even with no fire risk involved, such a pressure vessel at speed would nonetheless still represent a high risk, but then you're getting into the realms of how safe boilers are generally in railway operations, which is perhaps an avenue we don't want to go down too far! Is there anything in the particular channel tunnel environment that makes such a boiler significantly more hazardous there than the same item in (say) the Severn Tunnel once the element of fire is removed? A boiler is probably in the same safety ballpark as some of the most hazardous liquid/gaseous cargos carried in rail tankers. I don't know what the restrictions are for dangerous goods currently in the channel tunnel. Would a full block train of LPG tanks be allowed for example?

 

[Backroom_boy]

I'd dearly love for it to be done one day (if/when Ashford is reopened) for a Steamer to take the VSOE out of Victoria to Ashford, then while everybody does a shuffle (with the band and a drinks reception to distract them) slyly swap the steam for a 92 and forward into the Tunnel, with the 92 taking the train into Calais-Ville for the french steam loco to drop on the back.

VSOE have announced that they are discontinuing the train from Victoria and passengers will be booked on the Eurostar instead.

 

[zwk500]

VSOE have announced that they are discontinuing the train from Victoria and passengers will be booked on the Eurostar instead.

Yes, because of issues with baggage scanning on the Shuttle missing the onward connection.

If the stock worked through that wouldn't necessarily be the same problem.

 

[Trainguy34]

VSOE have announced that they are discontinuing the train from Victoria and passengers will be booked on the Eurostar instead.

Does that mean the Pullman

 

[RobShipway]

VSOE have announced that they are discontinuing the train from Victoria and passengers will be booked on the Eurostar instead.

Does that mean the Pullman

I think that it depends on what service you take. I just looked at the Belmond website for the London - Prague service in October: https://www.belmond.com/trains/europe/venice-simplon-orient-express/journeys/london-prague and it states on the page the following:

DAY ONE​

AN EVENING FOR THE AGES​

Board the Art Deco Belmond British Pullman, sister train to the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, and savour a delicious brunch with a refreshing Bellini as you make your way through the Kent countryside to Folkestone. Here, you are escorted by coach to Cheriton, where you board the shuttle to Calais. Our uniformed hosts will look after you throughout the journey.

At Calais Ville Station, the legendary Wagons-Lits carriages of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express await. Settle into your comfortable private cabin before enjoying a sumptuous dinner in one of the magnificent dining cars. Later, you may wish to linger in Bar Car ‘3674’, listening to the resident pianist play the baby grand and chatting to fellow passengers before you retire for the night.

Admittedly, the only date that can be found for the above is the 18th October.

 

[edwin_m]

According to Modern Railways the British Pullman link stops this autumn and nearly all remaining dates are sold out.

 

[Trainguy34]

According to Modern Railways the British Pullman link stops this autumn and nearly all remaining dates are sold out.

What will happen to the 67s that usually haul it

 

[zwk500]

What will happen to the 67s that usually haul it

They will still have the work hauling the domestic pullman trips alongside their other duties.

 

[Trainguy34]

They will still have the work hauling the domestic pullman trips alongside their other duties.

Just to check, what are the domestic trips

 

[zwk500]

Just to check, what are the domestic trips

Belmond British Pullman, scroll through the months to see: https://www.belmond.com/trains/euro...-pullman/search-results?date=2023-06&adults=2

Generally a mix of Kent Lunch or Dinner circulars and the longer daytrips out to a country house or pretty town. 67s are the norm unless Steam is specifically advertised, and also do piloting/banking at Victoria for any steam-hauled trips. The Pullman liveried 67s can also be found working odd jobs like other railtours or the odd light loco move between London and Dollands Moor in between trips with the pullman set.