Little variation

[malc-c]

Guys and gals,

Is there any reason that main line certified preserved traction seems to remain in set areas ?

I'm sure when in service class 40s, 45s etc were seen heading out of King's Cross, yet all the current rail tours have them running in charters up north.

The only preserved loco that is not steam that is sometime seen down south is the 86 "peter pan". Other than that it's the normal trio of the Duchess of Sutherland, Tornado (which technically isn't a preserved loco) and the flying cash cow, sorry Scotsman.

Would love to see a peak, a 25 or 33 in early BR livery heading up a rake on MK1s down this part of the country... so what would be the reason not to see 40145 (which according to the preservation's website still has mainline certification) for example doing a run between London KX and York?

 

[Cowley]

Guys and gals,

Is there any reason that main line certified preserved traction seems to remain in set area's ?

I'm sure when in service 40's 45's etc were seen heading out of Kings cross, yet all the current rail tours have them running in charters up north. The only preserved loco that is not steam that is sometime seen down south is the 86 "peter pan". Other than that it's the normal trio of the Duchess of Sutherland, Tornado (which technically isn't a preserved loco) and the flying cash cow, sorry Scotsman.

Would love to see a peak, a 25 or 33 in early BR livery heading up a rake on MK1s down this part of the country... so what would be the reason not to see 40145 (which according to the preservation's website still has mainline certification) for example doing a run between London KX and York

Often due to where the locomotive is based Malc. For example 40145 is based at the East Lancs so to start a tour from Kings Cross would mean two long distance journeys light engine (or dragged) or possibly the whole train running empty each way which would probably wipe out the tiny bit of profit the railtour made, because it’s often said that it’s only the last couple of coaches in a tour that actually make any profit (not sure how true that is).
You’ve also got to factor in the volunteers that staff the train and where they’re based.

 

[Edders23]

CFPS only do tours starting on the East lancs 40145 has run as far as Penzance but at the ELR they have stabling for the stock and are nearer to many of their helpers who staff the train and at the moment 40145 needs £5000 plus raising to fix the bearing that's crocked

It seems to be normal practice for railtour companies to have a set area they work from. I suspect that to start a tour from somewhere like kings cross would have difficulties getting a path and also stabling accommodation etc might be quite expensive plus the fact that their staff would be a long way from home and they might have the expense of putting them up in a hotel for the night

That said these LSL bods have acquired a huge pool of locos so maybe once established Saphos tours will spread their wings and cover more territory