Tre Pol & Pen by Uk Railtours

[Iskra]

So I've booked on this railtour in March 2016, which goes from London Euston to the freight only Lostwithiel and Parkandillack branches in Cornwall and return.

http://www.ukrailtours.com/product/tre-pol-and-pen/

The railway herald lists four 'to be confirmed' for the loco haulage. Has anyone done this tour before or got any speculation as to what loco(s) are likely to feature?

 

[Kite159]

10p on a pair of 66s

I will be joining the tour at Reading (or Newbury), I'm assuming the route from Euston to the GWML will be the same as the virgin blockade busters from last Christmas

 

[theblackwatch]

In the past, UKR tours from London to Cornwall have been either a 67 and 66, or two 66s. I wouldn't expect this to be any different.

 

[Iskra]

Kite, I may be getting on at Reading after getting off the Night Riviera from Penzance- I'm still working on a master plan as we speak

Thank you for the replies gents. I'd be quite happy with a 66/67 combination.

 

[craig87034]

Top and Tail sheds throughout

 

[Warbo44]

Boarding at Reading and will be a pair of 66's top & tailed.

 

[Iskra]

Thank you for the confirmation.

I've not got 66 haulage yet so I'm looking forward to a different trip to a wonderful part of the country. Will the 66's travel at 75mph with this train then?

 

[theblackwatch]

Thank you for the confirmation.

I've not got 66 haulage yet so I'm looking forward to a different trip to a wonderful part of the country. Will the 66's travel at 75mph with this train then?

Well they won't be going any faster!

 

[Iskra]

Well they won't be going any faster!

I knew that much, but couldn't remember their top speed!! It's going to be a long day then

 

[Warbo44]

The latest i've heard it could well be a class 67 down to Cornwall where a 66 will couple up onto the rear to assist the reverse moves in Cornwall for the branch lines. Don't take that as gospel though as it might well change.

 

[Kite159]

The latest i've heard it could well be a class 67 down to Cornwall where a 66 will couple up onto the rear to assist the reverse moves in Cornwall for the branch lines. Don't take that as gospel though as it might well change.

Would make a bit of sense with the higher speed of the 67 being used for the mainline running

 

[daveswest]

AFAIK Class 67's are not permitted Burngulllow - Parkandillack , expect 66's throughout
Dave

 

[83G/84D]

There were initial plans for some "other" traction but the traction is not allowed on part of the route in Cornwall! No I am not saying what it was.

 

[Kite159]

AFAIK Class 67's are not permitted Burngulllow - Parkandillack , expect 66's throughout
Dave

I had a silly idea of a 67 from Paddington to say Plymouth (which has spare platforms), where it would be detached and a 66 replacing it (with another 66 on the rear) so it could do the branch lines in Cornwall, coming back with another engine swap at Plymouth.

 

[cambsy]

Look at the timings on real time trains nearer the time to see how quick it is booked on the main line, will tell you wether it is 66 or 67 on the main line, I have done the Cornish freight branches with a lot better and more interesting traction, so does not appeal to me, but should be a good day out if not done branches before.

 

[Iskra]

Look at the timings on real time trains nearer the time to see how quick it is booked on the main line, will tell you wether it is 66 or 67 on the main line, I have done the Cornish freight branches with a lot better and more interesting traction, so does not appeal to me, but should be a good day out if not done branches before.

It's timed for 95mph from London to Par, which could indicate a 47, 57 or 67*.

*yes, I am aware that 'timed for' does not necessarily mean that's what will produce. (There are also moves from Westbury traction depot to Par timed at 75mph and return later in the day, which is where the 66 comes in)

 

[Kite159]

I see the routing has changed with Parkandillack being removed due to track issues, with the route to the former Plymouth Friary station (near Laira) and to Meldon Quarry taking over

 

[Iskra]

I see the routing has changed with Parkandillack being removed due to track issues, with the route to the former Plymouth Friary station (near Laira) and to Meldon Quarry taking over

Yeah, via Okehampton. Personally, I find it more interesting and it gives me more new coverage and an opportunity for some different traction on the Dartmoor railway.

The email I received regarding this gives the tour as the 6th, so I've emailed back seeking clarification.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Got an email back confirming it's still the 12th. Looking forward to this
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
This website suggests it's top and tail 66's.

http://www.dartmoor-railway-sa.org/news

UK Railtours' Tre, Pol and Pen railtour, on Saturday March 12th, will now be visiting Okehampton and Meldon following problems with track geometry on the Parkendillack branch. It will run straight through to Meldon Viaduct station, where it is scheduled to arrive at 1635. It will return to Okehampton, arriving at 1655, and remaining there for 25 minutes, during which time it will need watering.

Traction is expected to be topped and tailed class 66s.

There are more details of the tour on the UK Railtours website.

 

[Kite159]

Top & Tail 66s as expected

Timings are on RTT

 

[AnthonyRail]

its diesel hauled? why watering. no steam.

 

[theblackwatch]

its diesel hauled? why watering. no steam.

To tank the stock for toilets etc.

 

[Kite159]

The question is what is around Okehampton in terms of shops to be able to refresh supplies which is close-ish to the station?

 

[trainmania100]

The question is what is around Okehampton in terms of shops to be able to refresh supplies which is close-ish to the station?

There is a waitrose about 10 min walk from the station down the hill

 

[leomartin125]

It's timed for 95mph from London to Par, which could indicate a 47, 57 or 67*.

*yes, I am aware that 'timed for' does not necessarily mean that's what will produce. (There are also moves from Westbury traction depot to Par timed at 75mph and return later in the day, which is where the 66 comes in)

What I don't understand is that this is the railtour itself:

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U53238/2016/03/12/advanced

So what is this?

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/P80111/2016/03/12/advanced

And this?

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/P80110/2016/03/12/advanced

 

[Kite159]

What I don't understand is that this is the railtour itself:

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U53238/2016/03/12/advanced

So what is this?

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/P80111/2016/03/12/advanced

And this?

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/P80110/2016/03/12/advanced

Those last 2 are "Q" paths, as answered here:
http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=127964

 

[leomartin125]

Those last 2 are "Q" paths, as answered here:
http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=127964

Well that answers the Loco Hauled question. Will be top and tailed 66's throughout if it's timed for 75mph max.

 

[33056]

66109 and 66177 for this, 109 should be leading out of Euston.