Railtour review

Leading up to the tour

Out of the huge selection of 'Deltic' tours available this year, my Dad and I decided that we'd book the 'Deltic Retro Scot', with new railtour company Retro Railtours. We booked seats in the front coach right behind the engine - nice! And the circular route, out via the West Coast Mainline, and back south via the East Coast Mainline the train, allowed us to stay there all day!

The morning of the tour

We got up at 05:00 - I hate getting up early! - joining the tour at Manchester Victoria, arriving at 06:55. Before long we could see 55 022 descending Miles Platting Bank, with 57 601 on the rear, and it shortly glided into the platform.

We settled down into our seats in Coach A. We made a smoky departure at 0713 and headed towards Eccles. We passed alongside the M602 - I wonder what the people in the cars thought of our train as we passed by?

After traversing the rare curve at Parkside Junction, we were soon passing EWS's CRDC site at Wigan and were slowing down for Wigan North Western. We arrived bang on time at 0749, after a six minute stop the guard blew the whistle. There seemed to be some problems getting going at Wigan, after stopping and starting for a bit we were off. After a stagger up the bank to Boar's Head we passed Euxton Balshaw Lane 3 minutes late. After a quick bit of spirited running we were pulling into Leyland. A brief stop was had here before moving on into Preston.

Arriving at 0821, we had 2 minutes in hand before our booked departure time - just enough time for a quick photo stop. After an unusually sedate departure we ran alongside the M6 for a while. It was now clear that all was not well with '022, for we were running quite slowly. At 0859 we came to a stop in the centre road at Lancaster, causing a flurry of interest from passengers on the station. It was now clear that 55 022 was only running on one engine, due to an an oil leak; the climb at Shap was going to be interesting!

After signallers allowed a Pendolino to overtake us on the 0703 Birmingham New Street - Glasgow Central, we were away. Once again, we were off to a slow start, losing 6 minutes by Carnforth, and as we began the Shap ascent, the question on most people's mouths was, 'Are we going make it?'

We rapidly lost speed, passing Oxenholme 10 late, the single Napier engine of '022 nearly howling. Sadly, our loco could barely manage any more than walking pace! We looked back to see if 'Ronnie' was powering, but it wasn't. So with its Napier engine echoing around the Cumbrian Fells, it was up to 55 022 to pull its load 12 and dead 57 to the top of this gruelling 1 in 75 climb - DREADFUL! But somehow she managed it. We reached the top at walking speed, but quickly picked up speed again before a brief stop at Penrith.

We eventually pulled into Carlisle only around 20 minutes late, some achievement considering the situation, and a crew change took place. At 1035, 23 minutes down, we set off. Before long we were passing Kingmoor yard, and crossing the border into Scotland at Gretna Junction. We were travelling at a fair rate of knots, despite being on one engine, but, similarly to earlier in the day, there were fears about the imminent climb, the infamous Beattock.

These fears increased as, all of the sudden, the brakes were applied and we were routed into the loop at the foot of the summit. We waited for about 10 minutes before another Pendo passed us on the 0803 Birmingham NS - Edinburgh. Finally, we began the 10 mile 1 in 75 climb to Beattock Summit, but from a standing start!

Once again '22s Napier engine was being thrashed to the limit as it took its heavy load steadily up the incline. We were again down to walking speed as we approached the top. No doubt we could be heard for miles around, but before long it was over, and we passed the summit. After a quick descent, the Carstairs curve flashed past, and we were soon approaching Edinburgh, gliding past Haymarket at 1220 and through the tunnels into platform 7 at Waverley at 1224, only 15 minutes late!

Edinburgh

We decided we'd take a walk up Arthurs Seat, which offers great views of the city and it's surroundings, and I'd recommend it for anybody visiting Edinburgh. The old town with its many interesting shops beckoned, but we soon started to feel rather peckish, and so decided to sample the delights of a certain infamous baked potato shop, quoted to be the around so I'm told.

The 'tatties' were delicious, but after a quick visit to Marks & Spencers for 'provisions' for the return journey, it was time to return to the station for the second part of the 'Deltic Retro Scot'. Whilst waiting, my father and I witnessed the unusual sight of 43290 & 43316 with a service to Glasgow. Before long, 55 022 pulled in with our train, 57 601 still coupled on behind.

The return journey

We sat in our seats ready for the return journey and made a quick departure. The power of 57601 (and partial Deltic) was showing as we passed Drem 10 early and Dunbar 11 early, but the 57 was also fairly quiet at high speeds, so you could just about hear the Deltic. We were looped at Grantshouse at 1704 in a booked pathing stop until 1740, to allow two trains to overtake, it was discovered that 10 tour participants, including Sam Walker, the son of the loco's owner, and several members of the Royal Scots Grey team, were on one of these trains after getting stuck in a lift at Edinburgh and missing the tour! Their train duly passed us, followed by a XC voyager.

At 1738 we were allowed out of the loop, soon returning back up to speed, and Berwick-upon-Tweed flashed by at 1752. After traversing the famous Royal Border Bridge, and flying along the Northumbrian Coast, a very pleasant section of the route in my opinion, we passed Alnmouth 2 minutes early, not facing any significant slowdowns until the infamous Morpeth curve. We negotiated the sharp bend at a snail's pace, but again began to gather pace as we approached Newcastle.

After passing Heaton, where a GC HST was seen awaiting its next duty, we paused briefly at Newcastle for a crew change. The stop also allowed the 10 tour participants that missed the tour at Edinburgh to join - they boarded the train to a round of applause! We left at 1903, 3 minutes late, and headed out over the mighty King Edward Bridge, soon passing Low Fell Mail terminal and Tyne Yard, before slowing for another booked loop at Durham, where a 225 flashed by. After another spell of high speed running, there was yet another slowdown just outside Darlington, presumably to let the 225 ahead of us to call at Darlington station and continue ahead of us. After a brief wait we recovered our speed and avoided the station, having lost another 8 minutes, now making us 12 down. Thankfully, we were routed onto the fast line after Northallerton, where the infamous 4 track 'racetrack' section of the East Coast Mainline commences, allowing us to make up for lost time.

Darkness was approaching, but there appeared to be a fault with the lights in our carriage! Thankfully, Retro Railtours had come up with a cunning plan. A box of stick on LED lights had been bought in Edinburgh, and they were stuck to the ceiling of the carriage. They weren't very bright so it gave a 'disco' style lighting in the carriage. We flew along the ECML where you could still hear the Deltic thrashing away. We passed Skelton Junction at 2023, 9 late, when the brakes started to come on for York. After another brief pause in platform 10 at York, we were off again, 12 minutes late again.

A great deal of time was recovered after York though, and before long we were passing Neville Hill depot and crawling into Leeds. We slowed down until we were just under the roof, when 55 022 erupted into life and stormed through (no doubt frightening the life out of half the concourse!). After negotiating the point work to the west of the station and another thrash through the darkness (this time in the form of Morley tunnel), we called Huddersfield, 4 early, the first official stop for passengers since Edinburgh. The all station stopper to Manchester was ahead of us, but we left at 2136, on time, 55022 blasting through the tunnels before 'Ronnie' powered up.

We staggered behind the stopper all the way to Marsden, where we were looped once again, this time let a Class 185 past. After a quick blast through the Marsden and Standege Tunnels we were pulling into Stalybridge, and after a brief stop, the train was soon underway, heading towards the traditional Manchester station for Trans-Pennine services, Manchester Victoria. So after a spirited run it was all over, (for me anyway), and we were back where it had all started at 2232, an commendable 4 minutes late. It had been a truly a superb day.

Conclusion

The problem with 55 022 was dealt well by WCRC in my opinion, the Deltic being used to pull away (therefore giving us the traditional 'thrashy' getaway), and 57601 only kicking in once we'd got up to a reasonable speed, top marks to WCRC there!

Retro Railtours ran the tour very well with friendly staff and regular rubbish collections. The only fault I can think of is the lack of Hot Food from the buffet, but I believe this problem has been raised already.

Thanks go to Retro Railtours, WCRC, Beaver Sports and anybody else who helped to make this tour a success!

Retro Railtours manager James Palmer is clearly very ambitious, with many positive plans for the company in the future. This rings especially true when you think he is only 18! I wish him and the team all the best for the future, and rest assured I'll be on more Retro Railtours trips in the future!