"The Electric Scot Farewell" Railtour - Cancelled

[Dave]

As shambles go, this was a big one.

Train was scheduled to depart Birmingham International at 0738 for Glasgow Central, calling at New Street, Wolverhampton, Stafford, Crewe, Warrington, Wigan, Preston and Oxenholme on the way.

Train was delayed due to a problem at the depot and was later caped as far as Wolverhampton... New diagram - WVH-GLC, to depart around 10am. Turns out the problem was in some of the rolling stock; flat batteries meant door locking wouldn't operate and meant the train couldn't run loaded.

During all this, I arrived at Smethwick Galton Bridge at 0735 awaiting the train, and waited for an hour and a half before giving up and getting the 0912 Central service home.

Turns out the train was sent on a test run at about 0950, to try and charge the batteries through the OHLE, and would have passed Galton Bridge. So I missed it.

Train was eventually caped when no solution could be found. Cue a few hundred disgruntled enthusiasts.

And me; with cold toes.

Anyway - froth is all over the place on the net right now regarding the tour. Spitfire and GBRf (who supplied the loco - 87022 - and drivers) are willing to make the tour happen on Monday but DRS, who supplied the coaching stock (whilst hiring in some stock - the broken carriages - from the West Coast Railway Company) have categorically refused.

Frantic efforts are being made to prepare Virgin's West Coast carriage stock - used for the Class 90 Euston-Preston run - and get it to Birmingham International. Problem being the stock needs an 'A' Exam which means some GBRf men are going down tomorrow and doing it free of charge and hopefully finding a path up via Oxford (with Rugby closed, no other path available).

It's looking grim - but the reason so much effort is being made is because the Class 87 locomotive due to haul the train is being withdrawn, along with all it's classmates, on New Year's Eve - so Monday really is the last chance before their certification runs out.

I really hope they pull it out of the bag, but it's a very long shot indeed.

There's my story for the day.

[Kevo00]

Ah the last of the 87s. Actually I thought they were pretty much already gone, but sad to hear this really is the end for them. Once the most powerful loco on BR too, and the loco you always ended up using in the original TT and TTD. I hope they get that train up to Glasgow on Hogmanay, would really be a fitting end for the class.

[Ameecher]

I'm guessing that logging into WNXX would be a bad idea then, Dave.

[Dave]

I'm guessing that logging into WNXX would be a bad idea then, Dave.

There's over 18 pages of froth

And remember, it's 40 posts a page, rather than the 20 we have here.

[hippeebus]

I still see it as ironic that while they are being withdrawn, their older cousins the 86's are enjoying something of a revival, with another 4 set to return to traffic under the electric traction group!

[Ameecher]

The ACLG is planning to preserve some 87s, the trouble is that electric locos are not really needed. Freightliner have a fleet of 86s that look set to remain for a good while yet and the cost of fitting 87s with OTMR when they will get very little use is a bit pointless.

[Dave]

And besides, all the 87s have been sold to Great Uncle Bulgaria.

[hippeebus]

And besides, all the 87s have been sold to Great Uncle Bulgaria.

Indeed. Something like 21 of them are going to Bulgaria if I recall correctly.

[Kevo00]

A rare UK train export then - like the Cuban class 47s, Spanish 37s, and not forgetting the Iranian class 141s!

[andel]

or the French 66s, the dutch 58s, the french 56's, the scottish 67s...

[Ameecher]

The Irish Mark 2s, 3s and various Metropolitan Vickers locos. Plus quite a few locos to various corners of the Empire

I think we can declare that argument, officially void

[Badger]

Oo oo, you forgot the Class 77s (the Woodhead electrics) to the Dutch way back

[Ameecher]

Oo oo, you forgot the Class 77s (the Woodhead electrics) to the Dutch way back

The buggers have still got some! Ironically, they're still operating 3 58s while all ours are in store or in France/Spain building High Speed lines!

[Kevo00]

Plus quite a few locos to various corners of the Empire

I think we can declare that argument, officially void

You can, although the locos for the Empire were mostly built to spec for their railways, not for ours. Class 66s also don't count as they are an American/Canadian product.

How could I forget the Dutch class 77s?

[EXTspotter]

And the french class 20s.