Vintage Trains has today released an update on their current growth plans for 2024 and beyond.
The Tyseley-based company are going to develop a core brand of running Great Western locomotives and Pullman restaurant cars to meet demand.
Among the growth plans are plans to sell Jubilee locomotive 5593 Kolhapur and Pannier tank No. 7760, these have now been de-accessioned and will be “disposed of” to facilitate the growth plans.
Pannier Tanks No. 7752 and 9600 are both in store but will be retained for future opportunities.
Vintage Trains say that they will be concentrating on a core mainline steam locomotive fleet of 7029 Clun Castle, 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe, 5080 Defiant and 4965 Rood Ashton Hall. The latter will be returned to service next, and will be mainly used on Shakespeare Express and Polar Express trains.
The reasoning behind the core fleet is to allow for a single brand and core livery that will simplify future workshop repair schedules.
With regards to 5080 Defiant, the locomotive's boiler will be assessed in 2024, and once costs are formalised, Vintage Trains will seek the funds for this work.
Vintage Trains says that there is a clear need to increase their diesel fleet and diesel operated tours. Recently acquired Class 37 No. 37240, is at Tyseley and once new wheel bearings have been fitted it will be available for mainline operations alongside BR Class 47 No. 47773 – it is expected 37240 will be out on the mainline in the second half of 2024.
Moving onto the operations side of the business, a fitment plan with the Office of Rail and Road has been agreed for the fitment of Central Door Locking which will allow for the trains to operate on the mainline. Air braking will also be added or reactivated on the core dining train, allowing either braking mode to be used on the train.
Controlled Emission Toilets have now been fully fitted to trains, and will enhance Vintage Trains' environmental impact.
Regarding coaching stock, Vintage Trains have acquired Mark 1 First Open No. 3110 to increase dining capacity and will run alongside four Metro Cammell Pullman Cars, whilst Pullman Parlous No. 353 is undergoing a major refit.
Good to see vintage trains are following the ORR’s Rules with the central locking. Take not WCR and its great to see a future proof plan put forward by these charter groups. Hopefully it will allow the Main Line steam tour industry to thrive.
It’s good to see a long-term vision, what with so many railway groups around, and struggling. It makes sense to ‘standardise’, as Tyseley suggests, making greater practical and financial efficiences and thereby reducing time required on repairs etc..
Shame better route availability than a hall.,any bets on David Smith or Ian Riley.
Kolaphur has probably a long heritage life ahead of it. However, the Great Western introduced a great degree of standardisation in the components and boilers of their 4-6-0s, and I take it that Tyseley aims to make use of this to make their operations and overhauls more efficient in terms of components needed and time needed to effect repairs.
Is that the end of Kolaphur’s overhaul then?
No, probably means the start of an overhaul, but not at Tyseley…