Vintage Trains 2023 (Diesel Hauled) Programme

[31160]

Vintage have put some tours up on their site for the forthcoming year, but the details of the tours are to say the least lacking in detail.With the supposed move of 37240 from LSL to vintage has anybody got a clearer picture of what loco class is on what train or even a better idea of routing TIA

 

[bunnahabhain]

All should be 37240, purchased from Neil Boden.

11th March
Dorridge to Cardiff Central via Kidderminster, Worcester and Caldicot, then onwards to the Cwmbargoed freight branch. Return the same route.

3rd June
Birmingham to Carlisle via Wolverhampton, Crewe, Preston and the Cumbrian Coast. Setting down in Ravenglass and Carlisle.

19th July
Birmingham to Norwich and Great Yarmouth via Leicester, Peterborough and Ely Curve, presume the route will be via Berney Arms.

29th July
Birmingham to Skegness via Leicester and Ancaster

11th November
Birmingham to Blackpool via Wolverhampton, Crewe and Preston.


Support in the form of 47773 for thermals to be provided at least in March and November. A second loco will always be taken as Vintage operate a vacuum brake only fitted Mk2z set and rescue locomotives are almost nonexistent on the network if you don't take your own.

 

[31160]

Many thanks for this

 

[JammyJames08]

Booked up a trip to Great Yarmouth, lets hope it is a good one

 

[fgwrich]

All should be 37240, purchased from Neil Boden.

11th March
Dorridge to Cardiff Central via Kidderminster, Worcester and Caldicot, then onwards to the Cwmbargoed freight branch. Return the same route.

3rd June
Birmingham to Carlisle via Wolverhampton, Crewe, Preston and the Cumbrian Coast. Setting down in Ravenglass and Carlisle.

19th July
Birmingham to Norwich and Great Yarmouth via Leicester, Peterborough and Ely Curve, presume the route will be via Berney Arms.

29th July
Birmingham to Skegness via Leicester and Ancaster

11th November
Birmingham to Blackpool via Wolverhampton, Crewe and Preston.


Support in the form of 47773 for thermals to be provided at least in March and November. A second loco will always be taken as Vintage operate a vacuum brake only fitted Mk2z set and rescue locomotives are almost nonexistent on the network if you don't take your own.

I'll admit, while it's good to see 37240 out on the mainline again, it's a little disappointing to hear it is to be repainted into BR Green. Not only was it nice to see TransRail back for a bit, but 37s in Green are a bit well, boring?

 

[JammyJames08]

It hasn’t been transrail for long has it? Here she is at London Victoria in May 2021

 

[matt]

I'll admit, while it's good to see 37240 out on the mainline again, it's a little disappointing to hear it is to be repainted into BR Green. Not only was it nice to see TransRail back for a bit, but 37s in Green are a bit well, boring?

I'm not sure where I read it but the plan was that it would be re-painted but not straight away.

 

[fgwrich]

I'm not sure where I read it but the plan was that it would be re-painted but not straight away.

That's good to hear then, hopefully the Big T will live on for a little longer! One of my childhood memories from holidays in the West Country (as well as being a smart livery, for a 37).

 

[sprinterguy]

I'll admit, while it's good to see 37240 out on the mainline again, it's a little disappointing to hear it is to be repainted into BR Green. Not only was it nice to see TransRail back for a bit, but 37s in Green are a bit well, boring?

I think my biggest criticism of modern iterations of BR Green on mainline class 37s is that it looks quite inauthentic on locos with plated headcode boxes, high intensity headlights, removed bufferbeam cowlings and altered buffers.

It still seemed quite novel and unusual when worn by 37216 or 403 in the mid-nineties despite these more recent details, but feels to me more like parody on examples today, and Transrail can surely be considered a 'heritage' scheme itself nowadays while also being more appropriate for a loco in present day mainline condition.

 

[fgwrich]

I think my biggest criticism of modern iterations of BR Green on mainline class 37s is that it looks quite inauthentic on locos with plated headcode boxes, high intensity headlights, removed bufferbeam cowlings and altered buffers.

It still seemed quite novel and unusual when worn by 37216 or 403 in the mid-nineties despite these more recent details, but feels to me more like parody on examples today, and Transrail can surely be considered a 'heritage' scheme itself nowadays while also being more appropriate for a loco in present day mainline condition.

Personally, I find Green rather boring and somewhat unimaginative, but I completely agree with your point too. I'm not sure which is worse - seeing one of the former Heavyweight 37s working for LSL (521 for example) in BR green or 37905 in it. Both were just wrong!

 

[sprinterguy]

Personally, I find Green rather boring and somewhat unimaginative, but I completely agree with your point too. I'm not sure which is worse - seeing one of the former Heavyweight 37s working for LSL (521 for example) in BR green or 37905 in it. Both were just wrong!

Yeah, I'd also agree that BR Green is simply a drab colour scheme.

 

[xotGD]

If not blue or large logo blue, then green is the next best option.

Anything else is inferior, IMHO.

 

[rick pike]

Even though it never carried it Green with full yellow ends and TOPS numbers would be nice.

 

[12LDA28C]

All should be 37240, purchased from Neil Boden.

11th March
Dorridge to Cardiff Central via Kidderminster, Worcester and Caldicot, then onwards to the Cwmbargoed freight branch. Return the same route.

3rd June
Birmingham to Carlisle via Wolverhampton, Crewe, Preston and the Cumbrian Coast. Setting down in Ravenglass and Carlisle.

19th July
Birmingham to Norwich and Great Yarmouth via Leicester, Peterborough and Ely Curve, presume the route will be via Berney Arms.

29th July
Birmingham to Skegness via Leicester and Ancaster

11th November
Birmingham to Blackpool via Wolverhampton, Crewe and Preston.


Support in the form of 47773 for thermals to be provided at least in March and November. A second loco will always be taken as Vintage operate a vacuum brake only fitted Mk2z set and rescue locomotives are almost nonexistent on the network if you don't take your own.

Why has 47773 been relegated to 'support' duties? A lot of work was carried out on the loco at the SVR recently in terms of bodywork repairs and a repaint. I'm wondering why they even need a 37 when they have the 47 and also the 20s? Seems a rather pointless expense to me.

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Yeah, I'd also agree that BR Green is simply a drab colour scheme.

I think my biggest criticism of modern iterations of BR Green on mainline class 37s is that it looks quite inauthentic on locos with plated headcode boxes, high intensity headlights, removed bufferbeam cowlings and altered buffers.

It still seemed quite novel and unusual when worn by 37216 or 403 in the mid-nineties despite these more recent details, but feels to me more like parody on examples today, and Transrail can surely be considered a 'heritage' scheme itself nowadays while also being more appropriate for a loco in present day mainline condition.

Anything else would not be in keeping with the heritage (steam era) nature of the Vintage operation.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Jan 2023 ==

 

[sprinterguy]

Anything else would not be in keeping with the heritage (steam era) nature of the Vintage operation.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Jan 2023 ==

Yes, admittedly I do recognise that nothing else would really compliment chocolate and cream coaching stock, even if I do personally find it disappointing.

 

[Iskra]

Why has 47773 been relegated to 'support' duties? A lot of work was carried out on the loco at the SVR recently in terms of bodywork repairs and a repaint. I'm wondering why they even need a 37 when they have the 47 and also the 20s? Seems a rather pointless expense to me.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Jan 2023 ==





Anything else would not be in keeping with the heritage (steam era) nature of the Vintage operation.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Jan 2023 ==

20's also much more appropriate for Skegness. I'd have booked with them on, but not with a 37.

 

[bunnahabhain]

Why has 47773 been relegated to 'support' duties? A lot of work was carried out on the loco at the SVR recently in terms of bodywork repairs and a repaint. I'm wondering why they even need a 37 when they have the 47 and also the 20s? Seems a rather pointless expense to me.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Jan 2023 ==

Four those 5 tours the primary traction is the 37 with the 47 supporting where required, eg to assist with shunts, provide heat, haul the train where run-round can't be achieved. Etc. The loco isn't specifically support duties and no suggestion has been made by anybody but you that the loco has been relegated.

 

[12LDA28C]

Four those 5 tours the primary traction is the 37 with the 47 supporting where required, eg to assist with shunts, provide heat, haul the train where run-round can't be achieved. Etc. The loco isn't specifically support duties and no suggestion has been made by anybody but you that the loco has been relegated.

Your own description of those tours being hauled by 37240 and 47773 being 'support' indicated that the 47 is no longer the main diesel loco used on Vintage main line diesel-hauled excursions which has previously been the case, except where the 20s were used specifically due to being more appropriate, eg to Skegness.

I still maintain that the 37 seems an unusual / unnecessary purchase, especially given its lack of ETS and 80mph restriction although this won't be so much of an issue if it's on the rear of a steam-hauled train.

 

[31160]

I would have thought the GT Yarmouth tour will have to feature a bit if brush somewhere, I think when they reverse at Norwich its unlikely they will run around and then again at Yarmouth but then again if its calling at Norwich on the return as well it would have to reverse again can't help thinking they will want the 37 in OR out of Yarmouth but then again if the 37 needs fuel it could get left there and the 47 do the Yarmouth leg on its own

 

[Forty29]

I was wondering what was happening with 37240 a few days ago. I'm not bothered what livery it is adorned with as long as it's a another '37' still on the Mainline! Might check out one of their tours this year as live not far away from their base.

 

[bunnahabhain]

Your own description of those tours being hauled by 37240 and 47773 being 'support' indicated that the 47 is no longer the main diesel loco used on Vintage main line diesel-hauled excursions which has previously been the case, except where the 20s were used specifically due to being more appropriate, eg to Skegness.

I don't think the 47 has been the "main diesel loco" on diesel-hauled excursions in the post covid era. 2021 was primarily 20s with the 47 hauling the Scarborough, I don't recall it doing anything else on its own publicly, 2022 was the 50 and 20s with the 47 only coming out for some unadvertised Shakespeare runs due to the steam back, and 2023 will be the 37.

 

[12LDA28C]

I don't think the 47 has been the "main diesel loco" on diesel-hauled excursions in the post covid era. 2021 was primarily 20s with the 47 hauling the Scarborough, I don't recall it doing anything else on its own publicly, 2022 was the 50 and 20s with the 47 only coming out for some unadvertised Shakespeare runs due to the steam back, and 2023 will be the 37.

You're correct, but I wasn't specifically referring to the post-Covid era. Of course no charter trains were running for a long period during Covid, and when they resumed, 47773 was taken out of traffic for repairs and a repaint.

Certainly up to the end of 2019, the 47 was the main diesel loco used on Vintage trains' tours, both leading diesel-hauled trains and acting as tail-gunner on steam-hauled trains.

 

[bunnahabhain]

You're correct, but I wasn't specifically referring to the post-Covid era. Of course no charter trains were running for a long period during Covid, and when they resumed, 47773 was taken out of traffic for repairs and a repaint.

Certainly up to the end of 2019, the 47 was the main diesel loco used on Vintage trains' tours, both leading diesel-hauled trains and acting as tail-gunner on steam-hauled trains.

It's a good loco and it sees a lot of use, it just happens to have no tour allocated to it this year, probably because the 37 is the new toy and they want to get a lot of use out of it.

 

[Mr_Dreadful]

From what I’ve just read on their site, 37240 isn’t ready yet and 37403 is subbing on at least the first few of those tours

 

[4-SUB 4732]

Sat 11 March - Cwmbargoed - 37403.
Sat 3 June - Ravenglass - 37403.
Wed 19 July - Yarmouth - 37403.
Sat 29 July - Skegness - 37403.
Sat 11 November - Blackpool - 37240.

 

[12LDA28C]

From what I’ve just read on their site, 37240 isn’t ready yet and 37403 is subbing on at least the first few of those tours

So are Vintage paying to hire in 37403?

 

[4-SUB 4732]

So are Vintage paying to hire in 37403?

Yes.

 

[12LDA28C]

Yes.

Why on earth would they waste money hiring in a third party loco when they have 47773 sitting idle at Tyseley? That makes zero sense. They must have money to burn.

 

[matt]

Why on earth would they waste money hiring in a third party loco when they have 47773 sitting idle at Tyseley? That makes zero sense. They must have money to burn.

The tour was advertised as being hauled by a class 37. I'm sure changing it to a 47 would not have gone down well with the passengers.

 

[12LDA28C]

The tour was advertised as being hauled by a class 37. I'm sure changing it to a 47 would not have gone down well with the passengers.

Maybe so. Perhaps the smart thing to do might have been to ensure 37240 was fit for traffic before advertising it as the booked traction on tours.