5944

Oh I don't know, they're not that bad, certainly not compared to the RENFE versions... Chimney through the boiler anyone?!

https://iconic-ww2aircraft.co.uk/mark-ix-spitfire-1 That would make it more original than a lot of the Spitfires flying today! Regarding the Jaguars at Cosford, a lot have moved on and aren't operational. Cosford have got three Hawks and the Typhoon prototype that was previously on display at Duxford for training. Talking of Typoons, ZJ913 was rolled out this morning for the cameras, ready for the 2024 airshow season... Oooh....! Appears ZJ914 "Blackjack" will be the spare jet this season.

SRPS are fitting their dual-braked Mk1s with electrical CDL that doesn't need an air supply, and I assume Vintage will do the same to their stock as well. So the solution is out there, but the Yorkshire farmer isn't willing to stump up the cash to fit it to his stock. Instead he's happy to lose the income from about 50 railtours in the summer - he's said the air con isn't effective in Mk2s in the summer so the stock won't be used. RTC have about 35 trips booked from mid-May to mid-Sept, WCRC have about 15. Yet WCRC are still happy to send the Northern Belle out every few days in the summer!

There's also 73082 and 80151 as well, so 5 big locos with 30541 expected back at some point. Does seem a bit of overkill but if the owners and the railway are happy, then it's all good.

160 passengers on the Monday, 40 on the Tuesday I believe. It's not possible to get it to it by train without staying overnight the previous day, which really doesn't help. Then 4 hours back in Fort William before the next train south. At least today's passengers didn't have to worry about the weather in Mallaig - the train stalled leaving Glenfinnan and couldn't get going again, even with hand sanding. Driver had to go back to Fort William to fetch a diesel.

The coach batteries. It only needs power to unlock it, air pressure keeps the locks engaged in service.

Because in their wisdom, rather than sending one of their dozen or so ETS fitted 47s/57s up the Fort William, the ranch dispatched 47245. The other two WCRC locos up there are a pair of non-ETS fitted 37s. I really feel for the passengers today. You have two hours in cold, very wet and very windy Mallaig, and your train back is a set of cold, dark Mk2s that have been parked up for years until this week. WCRC are massively shooting themselves in the foot with this farce of an operation.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/ViYzQA2jJ15C4WvJ/ 45212 tender first. Looks very dark in the coaches! Edit - load 7. Four CDL Mk2s and three Mk1s with the doors locked out of use. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/UH7aiw9TJNM2qiCW/

6989 is staying for the 2025 season as well.

They haven't had time to find out if it's got teething troubles! It was meant to be ready in January (or 2018 if you read their website) but has only just been completed. It's already missed two galas, won't be at SVR in time, and its booking for WSR in May has been cancelled as well. The Bluebell Atlantic group have got it right - it'll be ready when it's ready. I know they've got a date in mind, but won't announce it publicly until it's completed and fully tested.

The RUs and RBRs have emergency doors that can only be opened from the inside, as well as the doors in and around the kitchen area. I'd be very surprised if ORR allowed WCRC to run with a passenger-carrying RMB in the middle of the set with all the doors locked shut. But I'm sure all will become clear soon as the empty stock arrived at Fort William on time this morning. 6 degrees and windy up there at the moment. It's going to be bloody cold on the train as WCRC contrived to send their only non-ETS fitted 47 up with the stock. How long will the batteries last for the lights and CDL? I can only hope they've found some way of charging them up, otherwise it's going to be a disaster.

45212 is moving from Keighley to Carnforth this evening. I assume it's then heading north over the weekend ready for Monday morning. What the stock will be, who knows?

The windows look quite recessed, plus both ends are blocked with the fire escape and chimneys, so just adding the horizontal rows of panelling with painted windows in between should be enough. If it's not easily visible I wouldn't worry too much about it.