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Railtours & Charters
Introduction -
In the 22 year history of the class 90s,
many charters, railtours and football specials have been run, with several new lines
being explored for the first time, and in some cases never been repeated.
As you can see their are still a number of places for potential visits by charters
in the future using class 90 traction, but the viability of some of them could be
problematic i.e. insignificant OLE power, Route Availability limitations as well
as pathing constraints. Sadly the number of charters operated by the fleet has slumped
to an all time low in recent times, although a fair few ran in 2009, notably those
by UKR. The same pattern of operations is taking shape in 2010 at the time of writing.
The
most under-utilised use of class 90s on charters/tours are those operating for Freightliner
and I do have an aim to turn this trend around, but how this will be accomplished
is unclear at the moment. So time is of the essence with the current Freightliner
fleet as their future still hangs in the balance. This is largely being driven by
the introduction of the class 70s (formerly to be called 68s – this means more diesel
operated trains under the wires.
It has been suggested that the class 90s used by
Freightliner will go back to the leasing company (Porterbrook) once the new class
70s have been tested and commissioned, with another suggestion saying that the class
86s will be returned instead and keep the 90s. A further train of thought is that
if the proposed electrification programme is undertaken, there will be a need to
have electric locos to operate these routes in light what is happening with Climate
Change, and the over-use of diesel traction under the wires.
In 2009 all charters,
tours and foot ex's that involved class 90 usage came from those owned by DBS. Many
thanks must be given to UK Railtours (UKR) for ensuring a class 90 loco was used
on their tours whenever practicable and that this trend continues into the future.
At the time of writing, UKR propose to operate more tours with class 90 traction
in 2010. There remains a number of routes that class 90s have still not reached (see
ideas below), but If I had the capital and support behind me, then I would operate
charters to the following destinations in collaboration with all those involved in
the business using DBS & Freightliner class 90s (with the latter being more important).
It has been suggested that the class 90s used by Freightliner will go back to the leasing company (Porterbrook) once the new class 70s have been tested and commissioned, with another suggestion saying that the class 86s will be returned instead and keep the 90s. A further train of thought is that if the proposed electrification programme is undertaken, there will be a need to have electric locos to operate these routes in light what is happening with Climate Change, and the over-
In 2009 all charters, tours and foot ex's that involved class 90 usage came from those owned by DBS. Many thanks must be given to UK Railtours (UKR) for ensuring a class 90 loco was used on their tours whenever practicable and that this trend continues into the future. At the time of writing, UKR propose to operate more tours with class 90 traction in 2010. There remains a number of routes that class 90s have still not reached (see ideas below), but If I had the capital and support behind me, then I would operate charters to the following destinations in collaboration with all those involved in the business using DBS & Freightliner class 90s (with the latter being more important).
West Coast Main Line
The key locations on the West Coast Region Include:
- Watford Junction to St.Albans Abbey
- Manchester Airport Triangle
- Stockport to Hazel Grove
- Manchester to Hadfield / Glossop
- Manchester to Trafford Park
- Lichfield HL to Lichfield LL
- Birmingham to Longbridge, Lichfield, Redditch (Cross-
City Routes) - Bescot Stadium to Walsall
- Daventry Freight Terminal
If anyone knows of anything I have missed from the above, please let me know.
East Coast Main Line
The key locations on the East Coast Main Line include:
- Hitchin to Cambridge via Royston
- Skipton Branch via Keithley
- Ilkey Branch including the Shipley Triangle
If anyone is aware of any other places on the East Coast, please let me know.
Scottish Region
The key locations in the Scottish Region include:
- Glasgow suburban routes (some lines have not been visited by 90s)
- Bathgate (proposed electrification scheme December 2010)
- Edinburgh to Glasgow via Falkirk (proposed electrification scheme)
If anyone is aware of any other places in the Scottish Region, please let me know.
Great Eastern Main Line
The key locations on the Great Eastern Region include:
- Cambridge to Kings Lynn
- Harwich International to Harwich Town
- Braintree Branch
- Enfield Town Branch via Severn Sisters
- Broxborune to Hertford East
- Shoeburyness
- Walton-
on- Naze Branch - Chingford and Southminster Branches
- London Fenchurch Street
- Colchester to Colchester Town
If anyone is aware of any other places on the Great Eastern, please let me know.
Miscellaneous Lines
The key locations for this miscellaneous section includes:
- London Paddington to Heathrow
- Manchester to Liverpool Lime Street via Chat Moss (proposed scheme)
- Great Western Main Line to Cardiff/Bristol/Swansea (proposed scheme)
- Midland Main Line Nth of Bedford (possible future scheme)
If anyone is aware of any other places that might appear here, please let me know.
