PTG Tours - The Snowdon Ranger - 3rd & 4th September

[50041]

I'm looking forward to some proper corporate-blue vac action on the WCML tomorrow:

http://englishelectric.zenfolio.com/50044/e3a81cfee

 

[spark001uk]

I'm looking forward to some proper corporate-blue vac action on the WCML tomorrow:

http://englishelectric.zenfolio.com/50044/e3a81cfee

Hope so! Are you travelling with us?

 

[nedchester]

edited

 

[IanPooleTrains]

Got bad news gys, unless u know otherwise, the 50s have both been pulled and now, it will be t'n't Virgin 57s

 

[60163]

Got bad news gys, unless u know otherwise, the 50s have both been pulled and now, it will be t'n't Virgin 57s

Aw jeeeeeeez...any more details? Did they fail on the light movement or summat

 

[spark001uk]

Are you serious!? Well if that's the case im gonna ditch it and go jump on the dorset deltic instead!! Nothing heritage about a couple of pretend 47s!!

 

[AC]

50044 made it to Willesden OK earlier, but queastions are being asked if 1 x 50 can handle the load and timings on the WCML.

 

[spark001uk]

Na, surely they wouldn't have bothered with the move if that were the case? IIRC they used to frequently pull 11 mk2s no problem, and tomorrow's set has already been reduced from 11 coaches to 8!

May I ask who is posing these questions out of interest, and to whom?

 

[dugdug03]

Any idea why 50049 did make the test run? still issues?
I booked the tour for back in June and again in July but because of 50049 failing they was cancelled... i didnt put money down for a ticket on this one as i was concerned it would be cancelled... lets just hope they can get both 50044 and 50049 ready for Novemeber.....


On a side not i went to the severn valley on monday.. Hood looked in need of some TLC but apart from that really enjoyed my 1st ride behind a 50 since 1994

 

[AC]

Na, surely they wouldn't have bothered with the move if that were the case? IIRC they used to frequently pull 11 mk2s no problem, and tomorrow's set has already been reduced from 11 coaches to 8!

May I ask who is posing these questions out of interest, and to whom?

Network Rail need to ensure the loco is capable of hauling the load and maintain the timings. Heritage locos are subject to more stringent rules and regulations that other mainline locos. Also, Network Rail need a contingency plan in case a fault develops on the loco - whereas if was a pair of 50 (as originally planned) you have an immediate back up if need be.

 

[spark001uk]

Network Rail need to ensure the loco is capable of hauling the load and maintain the timings. Heritage locos are subject to more stringent rules and regulations that other mainline locos. Also, Network Rail need a contingency plan in case a fault develops on the loco - whereas if was a pair of 50 (as originally planned) you have an immediate back up if need be.

Ok fair do's, but surely if it were that stringent they would have just said a straight no to it as soon as they knew 49 wouldn't be ready? (which incidentally looks quite some time ago!)
Also, wouldn't the banker loco help out with the load?

 

[Drimnagh Road]

Just wondering what are the deciding factors whether NR decide to let a preserved loco go solo or not?

class 50 - 2700hp
D1015 - 2700hp
40145 - 2000hp

40145 & D1015 normally work solo, yet from reading this thread it seems NR are insisting this 50 tour is double headed.

 

[spark001uk]

Just wondering what are the deciding factors whether NR decide to let a preserved loco go solo or not?

class 50 - 2700hp
D1015 - 2700hp
40145 - 2000hp

40145 & D1015 normally work solo, yet from reading this thread it seems NR are insisting this 50 tour is double headed.

I know, mad eh! As I said a 50 can easy pull 11, and did!

Slight side note- just saw the match.com ad on tv - has anyone noticed that a 455 pulls up on the bird's platform, but when it departs it's a 377!!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
044 low power whilst shunting this morn. Baited breath!

 

[50051]

1Z50 0812 London Euston – Holyhead (Virgin Mk3 set) 50044 leading, 57304 on
rear.

From NW Railgen

Word on WNXX is that 044 is on the front 57 on the rear.
The only time I have heard that 044 isn't running was the two posts on here so it's looking good.

 

[spark001uk]

1Z50 0812 London Euston – Holyhead (Virgin Mk3 set) 50044 leading, 57304 on
rear.

From NW Railgen

Word on WNXX is that 044 is on the front 57 on the rear.
The only time I have heard that 044 isn't running was the two posts on here so it's looking good.

Confirmed, am on board. Running about 10 late from eus. About 5 min away from mkc.

 

[50051]

Confirmed, am on board. Running about 10 late from eus. About 5 min away from mkc.

Great news!

 

[60163]

Just rushed through Lichfield Trent Valley about 10:33!

 

[I T S]

Got bad news gys, unless u know otherwise, the 50s have both been pulled and now, it will be t'n't Virgin 57s

Unreliable Gen there!

 

[Rugd1022]

Just fotted it at Cathiron north of Rugby, looked / sounded terrific. Also fotted and reported the trespasser with his tripod next to the Up Slow.....

 

[Rugd1022]

Pounding along the Trent Valley at Cathiron...

 

[60163]

Pounding along the Trent Valley at Cathiron...

Awesome pic!


Here's my coverage:
http://youtu.be/bxGKa3IKaL0

 

[37415]

my photos of 50044 at stafford this morning

http://www.flickr.com/photos/63611615@N06/

 

[Crimson_Quiff]

Awesome to see a 'Vac' on those Pretendolino mk 3s! Nice phots

 

[IanPooleTrains]

Unreliable Gen there!

I was the one who got it, so the gen came from someone else.

In other news, she looked awesome at Crewe when I got her, videos are already up and she left bang on time

 

[60163]

I take it 57304 will be on the front for the return journey? Any reports from the tour, did it reach destination on time etc.

 

[I T S]

I take it 57304 will be on the front for the return journey? Any reports from the tour, did it reach destination on time etc.

I believe it did reach HHD on time yesterday. Today 57304 works forward from HHD to North Llanrwst. 50044 works back to the junction, 57304 works to chester, then the 50 all the way back to London via Wrexham & Shrewsbury.

 

[nedchester]

I believe it did reach HHD on time yesterday. Today 57304 works forward from HHD to North Llanrwst. 50044 works back to the junction, 57304 works to chester, then the 50 all the way back to London via Wrexham & Shrewsbury.

50044 to Llanrwst 57 to the Junction 50044 all the way to London (train goes round the triangle at Chester to ensure 50044 is facing the right way!

 

[50041]

So much for all the rumour-mongers. 50044 easily coped with its two-days away and performed excellently on its own (load 10 + 57) no problem.

A few snaps of the 2 days:

Euston, early morning: http://englishelectric.zenfolio.com/p446754317/e2e2a3a70
Llandudno Jcn: http://englishelectric.zenfolio.com/p446754317/ec175027
North Llanwrst (1): http://englishelectric.zenfolio.com/p446754317/e16ac4492
North Llanwrst (2): http://englishelectric.zenfolio.com/p446754317/e5521bd4
Chester: http://englishelectric.zenfolio.com/p446754317/e16c314d6

 

[spark001uk]

So much for all the rumour-mongers. 50044 easily coped with its two-days away and performed excellently on its own (load 10 + 57) no problem.

A few snaps of the 2 days:

Euston, early morning: http://englishelectric.zenfolio.com/p446754317/e2e2a3a70
Llandudno Jcn: http://englishelectric.zenfolio.com/p446754317/ec175027
North Llanwrst (1): http://englishelectric.zenfolio.com/p446754317/e16ac4492
North Llanwrst (2): http://englishelectric.zenfolio.com/p446754317/e5521bd4
Chester: http://englishelectric.zenfolio.com/p446754317/e16c314d6

+1.
I for one come from a huge mileage behind them on various routes, they pulled 11 or 12 with ease all the time! I was impressed with Exeter's performance, she's clearly been very well restored and maintained!

Will also keep you posted on my camera roll of the weekend, still compiling it at the moment!!