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Spitfire Railtours - The Kernow Explorer

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crewmeal

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Looks like this one is going ahead as they have confirmed 2 x West Coast Class 37's.

Lets hope this one runs smoothly. I'll be looking forward to receiving the tickets early next week.
 
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theblackwatch

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I shall give your tour a wave at some point, I am travelling with Pathfinder from Birmingham Int to Penzance this year behind 55022.
 

crewmeal

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An excellent day out with everything running smoothly. The trip was ontime and the Spitefire staff couldn't have done enough. The 2 class 37's worked well all day.

Here's to the next trip!
 

Newshy37

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Hello, which locos were they and was there any mention of the trip to Wales on the 7th of July. I'm inclined to do it but wanted to see how this one went first.

Another question from the hard of thinking. I have been away from railways for a long time and don't really understand the Yellow NR 37's, are they the only locos that can go to Pwllheli and Aber'? Last time I was there was about 1985. So is the next tour guarnteed 37's at least from Shrewsbury? Ta!
 

Newshy37

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Thanks. Another question, how many 37's do West Coast Rail have that are useable?
 

richw

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I've got some pics of it passing Long Rock depot. I was walking along the footpath, with my camera, and heard a louder sounding train approaching than normal, so quickly got my camera ready, and got some good pics. Will work on uploading later on today when i am on my laptop rather than my phone.
 

Phil6219

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I believe they are 37516, 37676, 37685 and 37706.

As for the yellow 37s they are classed as 97s in the Departmental pool and are permitted to work that line due to the ERTMS signalling that has been installed for trial on that route. Their numbers are numbered 97301, 97302, 97303 and 97304 and were renumbered from 37100, 37170, 37178 and 37217 (I think).

Glad the tour went well, I'm hoping to go on the one at the end of September :)

Phil 8-)
 

richw

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This link is one of the pics i took yesterday the footpath by long rock, feel free to view through the rest of the album.
This was my first attempt at photoing a moving train,
http://www.flickr.com/photos/81118055@N04/7432698106/

as i was leaving long rock car park, the level crossing barriers came down, and i managed to photo the XC HST on the 1627 Penzance to Leeds crossing the level crossing through the car window, it can be seen in above album
 

Newshy37

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I believe they are 37516, 37676, 37685 and 37706.

As for the yellow 37s they are classed as 97s in the Departmental pool and are permitted to work that line due to the ERTMS signalling that has been installed for trial on that route. Their numbers are numbered 97301, 97302, 97303 and 97304 and were renumbered from 37100, 37170, 37178 and 37217 (I think).

Glad the tour went well, I'm hoping to go on the one at the end of September :)

Phil 8-)

Thanks, do you know what the West Coast ones used to be too please? Is your avatar at Dundee from the other year? Is there anything else with "ERTMS" or just those things? I never did get 178 :(
 

Dreadnought

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As for the yellow 37s they are classed as 97s in the Departmental pool and are permitted to work that line due to the ERTMS signalling that has been installed for trial on that route. Their numbers are numbered 97301, 97302, 97303 and 97304 and were renumbered from 37100, 37170, 37178 and 37217 (I think).
Only 302-304 are fitted with ERTMS for working to Pwllheli and Aberystwyth.
 

Phil6219

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37516 was 37086
37676 was 37126 (now called Loch Rannoch - not the original LR)
37685 was 37234 (now called Loch Arkaig)
37706 was 37016

I stand corrected on the ERMS, it's an area I have practically no knowledge of :)

Yes that's me in Dundee, December 6th 2010. It seems like only last week not nearly two years ago. Were you on that trip?

Phil 8-)
 

pooliemag

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28 Apr 2010
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I was on this tour and I must say...it was a brilliant day out :) The locos worked superbly, ran on time with no hitches and the on-board staff are a credit to Spitfire. No question was left unanswered and indeed one member of train crew ( I didnt get his name unfortunately but hopefully he reads this) went out of his way to find me bus times so I could manage to get to Land`s End and back in time for the return leg!! Thank you whoever you are :)
Also I heard a rumour in my coach that a GPS timing was taken and it was supposedly timed at 85.8mph at one point !! I didnt think 37`s could go that quickly??
 

Chester025

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Also I heard a rumour in my coach that a GPS timing was taken and it was supposedly timed at 85.8mph at one point !! I didnt think 37's could go that quickly??

Pah, that's nothing, mind you it is quite a good performance from a pair of 36s!
 

theblackwatch

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Out of interest, how well loaded was the Spitfire tour? I was on the Pathfinder trip (load 13) and the train was virtually full.
 

pooliemag

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Out of interest, how well loaded was the Spitfire tour? I was on the Pathfinder trip (load 13) and the train was virtually full.

I believe we were load 9, there were seats available in my coach but the rest of the train looked pretty full. I paid on the day as did another chap in my coach sat opposide table to mine. How was your trip? I wanted the Deltic trip myself but it was fully booked so took the other option lol....although I must say that having a table to myself gave loads of space and the option of swapping seats to be able to travel facing both ways was a real bonus :D....and probably made the long journey more enjoyable :D
 

theblackwatch

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Yes your tour was 9 vehicles (I saw it leave Birmingham International). Ours was an excellent but rather long, day out. Being sat in the front bay of the front coach on the return probably helped me reach that opinion! :lol:
 

TEW

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Out of interest, how well loaded was the Spitfire tour? I was on the Pathfinder trip (load 13) and the train was virtually full.

Not well loaded at all for a tour. Only two and a half standard carriages, and they were about 50% full.
 

Crimson_Quiff

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Ours was an excellent but rather long, day out. Being sat in the front bay of the front coach on the return probably helped me reach that opinion! :lol:

Happened to me on 40145's trip to Euston in November 2005. Front coach, front bay - outward and return, thanks to the ED mini tour turning the stock! :D
 
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