Mayflower's second run through Harringay, Sunday 8th March, 0925

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Glenn Wallis on March 8, 2015 at 7:32

With a such a pretty full programme with Steam Dreams,  I didn't realise that 'Mayflower' was working for any other railtour promoter during this period. With the York trip on Thursday, the loco support crew must be permanently knackered!

Permalink Reply by Gordon T on March 8, 2015 at 7:42

Yes, and crossed fingers for no mechanical failures, there doesn't seem to be much backup available at the moment. No Tornado, Duke of Gloucester, Britannia, or Oliver Cromwell for the time being I think.

Permalink Reply by Glenn Wallis on March 8, 2015 at 8:01

Well, Tangmere must be in Southall DMUD unless it too has got a job today.

Permalink Reply by Gordon T on March 8, 2015 at 8:44

Yes, it rescued another trip recently at short notice I think. Umm, hope  it  has no further mechanical problems after coming to an abrupt halt, missing part of the valve gear.....

Permalink Reply by Glenn Wallis on March 8, 2015 at 9:38

Most of the valve gear on that loco is inside an oil bath, hope it didn't leak more than usual!

Permalink Reply by Gordon T on March 8, 2015 at 10:39

Ah, yes, loose talk - I was meaning the bolt that holds the connecting rod and crosshead together. Or not, in this case: official report on the incident here.

Permalink Reply by Glenn Wallis on March 8, 2015 at 11:03

Oh yes, I remember that now! Saw it in the railway mags at the time.

Permalink Reply by snappy stephen on March 8, 2015 at 11:42

I  went to All Pally station to see Mayflower this morning, to see "Mayflower". They really are working this little engine very hard. Hope it's up for the trip to York and back on Thursday as I am booked on it!

Permalink Reply by Glenn Wallis on March 8, 2015 at 14:12

The B1 class is a LNER version of the LMS mixed traffic Black 5, so hauling a 10-12 coach railtour is hard work, but as she is limited to 60mph by Network Rail due to being only fitted with Automatic Warning System, well within the loco's capability. The loco's owners are working her hard as she's worked a lot of tours in the last few months, but I assume they want to try and recoup the fortune they would have spent to overhaul her for main line certification.