Locomotive Services Fleet (LSL) updates

[Iskra]

Cracking, evocative shot

Thank you, that's a still from the below video that I made, if you want to see it in all its glory I also caught it at Doncaster on its way back.

 

[Sun Chariot]

Thank you, that's a still from the below video that I made, if you want to see it in all its glory I also caught it at Doncaster on its way back.

I think your 4mm layout needs a super elevated curve like that

 

[Iskra]

I think your 4mm layout needs a super elevated curve like that

Oh, I was in awe of the track layout there today! ...I think I'd need a bigger house to accommodate it though!

 

[Northerngirl]

Thank you, that's a still from the below video that I made, if you want to see it in all its glory I also caught it at Doncaster on its way back.

That's a brilliant location, finding somewhere that free of trees & wires is a rateity

 

[Sun Chariot]

Deleted.

 

[Wyrleybart]

That's a brilliant location, finding somewhere that free of trees & wires is a rateity

Thanks from me for the video. The glorious three cylinder Bulleid music as the train accelerated away was really nice.

 

[73128]

It would be a good idea if only the GWML was linked to the LMR around Acton Wells - unless it has recently been joined up. AIUI the ECS from Reading couldn't climb up from Acton Main line towards Willesden to get to Euston without having a diesel on the front

It's being wired, completion expected 2026 I'm told once Acton East junction has been relaid..

 

[12LDA28C]

Evidently the Statesman stock is expected back from refurbishment by September as Statesman tours have now started appearing on the website with the first one being on 10th September.

 

[MiNi]

Evidently the Statesman stock is expected back from refurbishment by September as Statesman tours have now started appearing on the website with the first one being on 10th September.

Indeed. It's quite good that they've managed to get a Weymouth and a Penzance in the first 4.
will both ronnies be available by then ?. Keep them on the Saphos.

 

[D6130]

will both ronnies be available by then

Who or what are they?

 

[Iskra]

Who or what are they?

57’s. Presumably derived from the original Purple Ronnie 57601

 

[12LDA28C]

57’s. Presumably derived from the original Purple Ronnie 57601

Exactly.

 

[D6130]

57’s. Presumably derived from the original Purple Ronnie 57601

Thanks. Must admit, that had completely passed me by.

 

[Wyrleybart]

57’s. Presumably derived from the original Purple Ronnie 57601

Which incidentally is now slightly more purple, in a maroon kind of way than when it was that awful silver grey thing with star trek bodyside numbers !!!

 

[Sun Chariot]

There's nowt more purple than the Porterbrook liveried 47817 and 55016....

 

[jus363]

Or the kettle they had at the Severn valley railway !

 

[Sun Chariot]

Or the kettle they had at the Severn valley railway !

Now I can't unsee that...

 

[12LDA28C]

There's nowt more purple than the Porterbrook liveried 47817 and 55016....

And 47807

 

[31160]

The January tour with the 45/50 has disappeared from the site

 

[12LDA28C]

The January tour with the 45/50 has disappeared from the site

Cancelled due to low bookings I believe.

 

[ChristopherJ]

You would have expected a tour like that to sell out like hot cakes.

I imagine being in the cold elements of January and a lighter purse after Christmas, these hardcore EE cranks just can't afford it at that time of year.

 

[Turbo004]

The January tour with the 45/50 tour would the appealed if it was in Summer. It did not get back to Crewe until approximately 11pm. As a result a large part of the end of the tour would be in darkness.

 

[Bertie the bus]

You would have expected a tour like that to sell out like hot cakes.

I wouldn't. It doesn't come as a surprise it has been cancelled as I think they are using the peak far too much. It only emerged from overhaul in July of this year and has already hauled 4 railtours. You only have to look at other loco's, like 40145, and realise people soon get bored.

 

[RetroCrowe]

I'd have to imagine the fact that it was on a Friday would also have played a role in the low bookings. The 86 & 87 tour to Scotland last January was on a Saturday and I don't believe that one had any problems with low bookings despite a 45/50 tour on paper being more interesting to many people than an 86/87 tour.

 

[Rail Quest]

I'd have to imagine the fact that it was on a Friday would also have played a role in the low bookings.

That's what I was thinking. Combine that with the relatively short notice period of the tour and it becomes hard for those of us working a Monday-Friday job to take up the opportunity.

 

[Wyrleybart]

I wouldn't. It doesn't come as a surprise it has been cancelled as I think they are using the peak far too much. It only emerged from overhaul in July of this year and has already hauled 4 railtours. You only have to look at other loco's, like 40145, and realise people soon get bored.

Would the attraction of separate EE and Sulzer tractioned tours be something for Saphos / Intercity to consider.

I am assuming 45118 is heading to Bo'Ness in 2025 for a stint with 60532

 

[Bertie the bus]

Would the attraction of separate EE and Sulzer tractioned tours be something for Saphos / Intercity to consider.

EE / Sulzer mix didn't prevent last Saturday's tour from selling enough tickets to run. I think far too much is made about the contribution of bashers to railtours. No tour would ever run if only bashers booked. You only have to look at the lengths the BLS go to on tours to cater for all aspects of rail enthusiasms (new lines, red pen, heritage locos) to see how difficult it is these days to run tours aimed solely at enthusiasts and overusing loco's is never going to end well.

 

[31160]

Well the one reason I didn't book on the tour was I was booked on a tour that was redated to the day after so the logistics of getting from Crewe Friday evening to get to London Saturday morning didn't appeal, then the tour was put back to the day after and now it's just TBA, so I was gonna book it this week, still there a four day "north west" extravaganza using 50s listed on the bls dates to be aware of, so I'm not that bothered

 

[Harpo]

17th of Jan looked OTT. A single circuit (maybe S&C plus Cumbrian) with a single loco is a pretty decent day out mid-winter, and possibly repeatable with differing locos??

 

[Mollman]

According to the Rail Advent website, a LSL 20 is taking the Brighton Belle stock for a spin to Chester and back today
https://www.railadvent.co.uk/events/test-run-2

The Brighton Belle and LSL Class 20s head on a test run to Chester and back.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:C10638/2025-01-28/detailed