Vintage Trains has confirmed that, after a successful test run, 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe has joined the operational fleet.
Last Friday, the GWR ‘Castle’ Class completed a light engine movement to Stratford-upon-Avon, with its support coach, before heading round the ‘Leicester Circle’ with six coaches and a Class 47 locomotive, making around a 9-coach load in total.
The Leicester Circle is a route designed to test performance of a locomotive up hill and at 75mph for a sustained period of time.
The results from the test run is that 5043 performed perfectly and will double head with 7029 to Didcot on Saturday 4th March 2023.
A Vintage Trains‘ spokesperson said “Last Friday she ran loco and support coach to Stratford with no issues, then took a loaded test train of six coaches and the 47 (about nine coach load) round the Leicester circle, a route designed to test performance up hills and at 75mph for a sustained period. She performed perfectly”
Jake Bonner was out to see both the Light Engine test run as well as the loaded test run, and has produced the following video:
What do you think? Let us know in the comments below!
Responses
It’s good to see the Earl back running again. As I live in the North East, I have only seen it when the Earl has brought a train to York.
Not only did I clean her but I also have the chance before the end of steam to be the fireman on this locomotive I was an old oak common cleaner fireman second man haven’t started my railway career in 1953 April memories back to me seeing her what a magnificent job everybody has done 1and when she was going tender first she sounded just like a sewing machine beautiful.
Great news. 5043 always seems to be one of the best presented locos on the main line and it’s wonderful to see her(?) back.