A Mixed Bag
45305 successfully completed its four day stint on the Scarborough Spa Express over the period 27th-30th August but missed its booked turn on The Waverley of the following Sunday, 2nd September. This was because 5305LA engineers pulled the 'Five' off the job in order to do a boiler washout and attend to a number of small but annoying mechanical problems. All these jobs were completed over the weekend and 45305 returned to main line active service with The Waverley of the 9th September.
Ongoing engineering work between Church Fenton and Leeds caused this charter to be diverted via Castleford on the outward run, leading to inevitable late running through the Aire Valley. A 39 minute late departure from the water stop at Hellifield was reduced to only five by the time the train arrived in Carlisle following an excellent climb from Settle Junction to Blea Moor. The return leg took the normal route back to Leeds and York, where passengers made it known that they had experienced an excellent day out. This was the last booked job for 45305 but the loco will remain at the NRM York for a while on standby.
70013 Oliver Cromwell has not fared so well lately. It was failed at Southall on the evening of Friday 31st August with a cracked cylinder cover just as it was being prepared for the following day's Spitfire railtour to Faversham. Whilst a replacement cover has been sourced, it requires machining and fitting and these tasks could not be completed in time to prevent the 'Brit' being taken off its next two jobs, the Dorset Coast Express from London to Weymouth on the 13th September and the Royal Duchy from Bristol to Par on the 16th September. The loco should be back in service in time for its visit to Barrow Hill for the Model Rail Live weekend on the 22nd/23rd September.