UK mainline steam news 2008

		MainLine Steam News 2007 updated Fri 20-Jun-08 www.uksteam.info [Tours front page] *MAINLINE NEWS PAGE* 46115 Scots Guradsman [Fri 20-Jun-08] LMS Royal Scot no 46115 completed a short main line test run this morning between Carnforth and Hellifield and return. Pictures may be found at Don Burgess's website. [Return to top of page] 4965 Rood Ashton Hall [Fri 16-May-08] In view of the very good condition of the engine, Tyseley's GWR Hall Class no 4965 Rood Ashton Hall has been given a short extension on its main line certificate which expired at the end of March. The extension is a for a further 6 months with a limited number of steamings. The engine is now expecetd to feature on this season's Shakespeare Express services, and will also replace 4953 on the Tyseley-Llandudno train on Saturday 17 May. [Return to top of page] 5029 Nunney Castle [Fri 25-Apr-08] GWR Castle Class no 5029 Nunney Castle completed a successful main line loaded test run from Tyseley via Burton to Leicester and back via Nuneaton on Thursday 24 April. It is now fully certified to operate on the mainline following its recent overhaul. It will be in action almost immediately on Saturday 26 April on Vintage Trains' tour from Tyseley to Chester and return. 5029 is due to feature on other Vintage Trains trains this summer, followed by a spell on Past Time's Torbay Express between Bristol to Kingswear at the end of September. Details of the engine may be found at www.5029nunneycastle.co.uk [Return to top of page] 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley [Mon 21-Apr-08] LNER A4 Class no 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley completed a successful main line loaded test run at Carnforth on Wed 16 April, and is now fully certified to operate on the mainline, becoming the third A4 along with 60009/19 to work on the mainline. It's first public railtour duty (since October 1998) will be on the Cathedrals Express from York to Kings Cross (one way) on Saturday 31 May. It is also expected to haul the NYMR Esk Valley services to Whitby 3-5 May. [Return to top of page] The Riley Fives [Tue 01-Apr-08] Ian Riley has confirmed that the heavy maintenance on Black 5 no 45407 has been completed and the engine is scheduled to appear doubleheading with 76079 on the Cotton Mill Express on 6 April. However additional boiler repairs required on 44871 mean that this engine will not now be available for end of steam anniversary specials in August. [Return to top of page] 70013 Oliver Cromwell [Tue 01-Apr-08] Steam Dreams have now rescheduled the trains from London to Norwich on June 11 and 13 as the test running of the NRM's Britannia no 70013 Oliver Cromwell is unlikely to be completed in time. The two trains will now run (amalgamated) on Thu 24 July. This train will see the engine returning to home territory where it ran in the 1950s. The train is likely to become the first mainline passenger train hauled by 70013 since the Fifteen Guinea End of Steam special in August 1968. A second London-Norwich train behind 70013 train may run on Sat 20-Sep provided there is sufficient demand. [Return to top of page] 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley [Thu 20-Mar-08] The mainline light and loaded test runs of A4 pacific 60007 are now scheduled to take place over 15 and 16 April, with a return to the NYMR on 17 April. The loaded test run on 16 April will be on the usual circular itinerary based at Carnforth. Sir Nigel Gresley's inaugural mainline train will now be on the York-Kings Cross leg of the Steam Dreams Cathedrals Express on Saturday 31 May, replacing 6024 which is unavailable. [Return to top of page] 5029 Nunney Castle [Thu 20-Mar-08] The mainline return of 5029 Nunney Castle has been slightly delayed by the need to replace a broken spring. The inaugural run on 22 March has now been cancelled, and the 5 April Vintage train from Tyseley to Chester has been postponed until 26 April. An evening loaded test run will probably take place to Stratford-upon-Avon shortly before the 26 April, but this has yet to be confirmed. No 5029 is expected to appear on other Vintage Trains services later in the spirng/summer, and has also been booked for the last two Sunday Torbay Express trains from Bristol to Kingswear in September. [Return to top of page] The North Briton [Mon 03-Mar-08] 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley has been withdrawn from RTC's North Briton tour, as there is now insufficient time to complete the mainline testing and certification formalities including EWS registration before the tour. It will be replaced by 71000 Duke of Gloucester. K4 no 61664 has also been replaced by Black 5 no 45407 on the North Briton. This change has been brought about by the need for an air braked locomotive. [Return to top of page] Mainline Derogation Certificates [Mon 03-Mar-08] 5029 Nunney Castle, 46115 Scots Guardsman, 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley and 60019 Bittern were granted Railway Group Standard Derogation certificates on Friday 29 February. This represents an important milestone in (re)certifying these engines for use on the mainline. In the case of Bittern the Derogation replaces a Temporary Non-Compliance Certificate issued last year. For the other three engines, the next step will be the light and loaded mainline test runs, which are expected to take place within the next few months. No 5029 is currently scheduled to haul mainline tours in late March/early April, and 60007's first tour will now be on 21 June. Plans for 46115 have yet to be disclosed, but an appearance on West Coast's Scarborough Spa Express is a possibility later in the year. 2008 in prospect [Fri 29-Feb-08] 2008 promises to be an interesting year for mainline steam operation with a long list of engines expected to receive mainline certification during the year. Among these are GWR Castles 5029 Nunney Castle and 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe, pannier 9600, LMS Black 5 44871 and Scot 46115 Scots Guardsman, LNER A4 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley, new build A1 60163 Tornado and BR Britannia 70013 Oliver Cromwell. Engines expected to retire for 10 year overhaul are GWR 4965 Rood Ashton Hall. [Return to top of page] [Tours front page] Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of this information, no responsibility can be taken for any errors or omissions. Comments by email to: webmaster at uksteam.info