The Scot Commemorative 16th April

gricerdon · ‏18 إبريل 2016

مقتبس من acorb: ↑

The purpose of the original Scot Commemorative was to give a fitting swansong to a popular express locomotive. Yesterday's trip proved to be a welcome back to a loco that if yesterday's performance is anything to go by is going to be even more of a celebrity in its retirement!
330 faultless, unassisted, pure steam miles. Beautiful scenery on the Cumbrian Coast in glorious sunshine and a rip roaring performance that saw us at 64mph through Penrith from a standing start in Plumpton 5 miles away. The noise from the chimney (and the hailstorm of cinders on the carriage roof) will remain with me for a long time. I really hope someone posts a video of this!
This was railtouring at its best, a reminder why we put our faith in a lottery system of bookings, altered schedules and dodgy rolling stock (the steam heat failed about 5 miles into the journey, again!).
A massive thanks to all those involved.
If only days like this could be guaranteed!
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Yes a wonderful day

gricerdon · ‏18 إبريل 2016

مقتبس من Oswald T Wistle: ↑

The Scot Commemorative 16 April 2016 – 46100 Royal Scot hauling 10+POB

After last week, this week just had to go better. The weather was promising, cool and bright when Steve Chipperfield arrived and STOPPED at Preston RT. I was in coach F, 7½ coach lengths from the loco. Coach F turned out not to be standard but first class (minus the tablecloths and pastries), the comfy seats were welcome on a longish day – well done WCRC. Mrs W was going to football so I was travelling alone.

We were 5L leaving Preston, the 34 min schedule to Carnforth loop called for nothing exceptional, but after 2 miles we were up to 45mph; the loco was sounding crisp. We cruised along in the low 70s with 68mph through Lancaster and a max of just over 73 around Morecambe S Jn. We were 2L when we stopped at Carnforth loop for water.

We were 2L restarting and stopped for a further 4 min in Carnforth station. We accelerated up to 52 and were 7E at Arnside and held for 10 min. 46100 cleared Lindal bank with a minimum of 33.7mph; the sound of the exhaust was electric. In the spring sunshine the views out over the bay and up to the Lakeland mountains were superb as we wound our way along the coast, through cuttings littered with primroses. We were 1E at Park South and held for 6 min. The route is generally flat and has many crossings so we successively accelerated to the low 50s then braked to 20 for a crossing. We arrived at Sellafield 1L to take water and as it was sunny many of the passengers de-camped to admire the sights.

We left 2L waiting for the southbound unit to clear the single line section. This was new territory for me as I had previously only travelled as far as Sellafield. (This was behind 5690 in the early 1980s when they turned and watered the locos on the then BNFL site). This pattern continued accelerate/brake, and the coastline became more rugged. We were held for 2 min, in the tunnel, as we approached Whitehaven. We were expecting to cross with Galatea somewhere between Harrington and Workington; we crossed with the train just north of Harrington but Galatea was nowhere to be seen! At Maryport we turned inland. By Aspatria we were 4L but speed increased on this final section to around 60mph and we arrived at Currock Jn just under 1L, only to be held briefly before easing into platform 3, in the rain and 3L.

Time for some food, at around 4pm I’m not sure what the meal should be called, being a Lancashire lad probably best described as, “havin’ mi tea a bit early”.

Mick Kelly was in charge as we left RT (now only 4½ coach lengths from the loco), top light quarter-way open, but I was on the wrong side for the mileposts – still can’t have everything. 46100 was put to the task, then after 3 miles the exhaust went up a notch. Near the top of the 1/131 we were up to 36.5mph, this increased to 39 as the gradient eased to 1/184 and after 9 miles we were up to 46.5 on the 1/228. Just beyond this, although some distance from Plumpton loop the loco was eased and we settled into the loop, stopping 2L. We waited for a couple of southbound trains to pass then we were away RT.

The loco was working hard, we were up to 38 at the end of the level, the low sun cast a shadow in the fields and 46100 could be seen to be blowing off. The speed increased to 43 on the following 1/186 and we were up to 61 through Penrith station, still speed climbed and by the time we reached the foot of the 1/125 we were up to 69mph; the loco was roaring. And still we surged on; cinders were peppering the roof and pinging against the draught shields on the open window. Clifton and Lowther 63mph, Thrimby Grange 55 and this was up the 1 in 125; the sound of the exhaust was exquisite. Speed did not fall below 53 at any point on the 1/125, but as the gradient eases near the summit the exhaust note from the loco softened and the speed dropped slightly to a minimum of 49.7. I passed the summit board RT and 22min 8sec after starting from Plumpton loop. Wow! There were several experienced recorders in the carriage and there seemed to be a favourable response to what we’d just experienced (to put it mildly). I spoke to Ralph, I think he was impressed but, “he couldn’t possibly say”.

We swept downhill with speeds in the low 70s as nothing more was required; Grayrigg (2E), Lambrigg (2E), Oxenholme (3E) 69 and Milnthorpe (5E) 75. We were stopped for almost 5min as we approached Carnforth N Jn, finally stopping in the loop 3L.

More water then away 1L. As often seems to be the case the first couple of miles is pedestrian 17mph, then north of Hest Bank we were away – the fireworks were back. Morecambe S Jn 47, under the new motorway bridge at 53, roared through Lancaster station at 65 and away up the bank. Speed continued in the low to mid 60s until we slowed for a rainy Preston, arriving 2E.

There was a mass exodus of disembarking passengers towards the loco where amidst some extravagant claims (or faulty GPS recorders) many felt obliged to shake hands with the crew – and why not.

Thanks to all those involved in making this trip a resounding success. Based on its first 2 trips over Shap 46100 is a loco well worth travelling behind.

On the north bound run I shared a table with a knowledgeable and “professionally organised” recorder who had to leave the train at Carlisle to return to London. I subsequently discovered that it was none other than Gricerdon. Nice to meet you.

As for Mrs W, her team (and mine) were beaten – if only I was brave enough to say, “you should have come with me, you missed a treat, if only . . .
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Nice to have met you too and thanks for your local knowledge. I was absent for part of the time as I sat with Sandy Smeaton who was right side for the mileposts to Carnforth. He had a block of four seats to himself, presumably a late cancellation. I am sorry to have missed the best bit of the day but at least I exchanged a downgraded 1st for 1st class on my Pendo which was right time throughout

bobsungod · ‏18 إبريل 2016

46100 crosses the river lune at lancaster 16-4-16
Bob green

Steve Sienkiewicz · ‏18 إبريل 2016

مقتبس من bobsungod: ↑

46100 crosses the river lune at lancaster 16-4-16
Bob green
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A couple of cracking shots there. The second in particular is a masterpiece.

bobsungod · ‏18 إبريل 2016

مقتبس من Steve Sienkiewicz: ↑

A couple of cracking shots there. The second in particular is a masterpiece.
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Thanks Steve only seen this happen once before in 40 years of photting

RalphW · ‏18 إبريل 2016

مقتبس من bobsungod: ↑

46100 crosses the river lune at lancaster 16-4-16
Bob green
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You wait years for the sunset to be like that and then a damn steam engine gets into the shot......

OK only jesting, the second particularly, a fabulous shot.

henrywinskill · ‏18 إبريل 2016

مقتبس من bobsungod: ↑

46100 crosses the river lune at lancaster 16-4-16
Bob green
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Crackin shots Bob, I wont make choice in case I pick the wrong one.

Waterbuck · ‏18 إبريل 2016

مقتبس من bobsungod: ↑

46100 crosses the river lune at lancaster 16-4-16
Bob green
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These are wonderful shots like the video clip is, Love them.
I took a few 'poor' mobile shots from the West side of the train through the glass of the window (maybe just North of you) and it was amazing how that rain cloud just sat above the Sunset.
Thanks for sharing them.
Alan

46223 · ‏18 إبريل 2016

مقتبس من Waterbuck: ↑

These are wonderful shots like the video clip is, Love them.
I took a few 'poor' mobile shots from the West side of the train through the glass of the window (maybe just North of you) and it was amazing how that rain cloud just sat above the Sunset.
Thanks for sharing them.
Alan
مشاهدة المرفق 19526
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Would that be round about Hest Bank Alan?

sgthompson · ‏18 إبريل 2016

مقتبس من bobsungod: ↑

46100 crosses the river lune at lancaster 16-4-16
Bob green
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Outstanding !

Waterbuck · ‏18 إبريل 2016

مقتبس من 46223: ↑

Would that be round about Hest Bank Alan?
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Possibly, although I had been up since 4.45am and just had most of the Merlot by this point !

46223 · ‏18 إبريل 2016

مقتبس من Waterbuck: ↑

Possibly, although I had been up since 4.45am and just had most of the Merlot by this point !
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I undershtand.......hic!

RalphW · ‏19 إبريل 2016

مقتبس من Waterbuck: ↑

Possibly, although I had been up since 4.45am and just had most of the Merlot by this point !
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If the photo has a time stamp I can place it fairly accurately.

Waterbuck · ‏19 إبريل 2016

مقتبس من RalphW: ↑

If the photo has a time stamp I can place it fairly accurately.
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Im impressed Ralph - timed 20.04= somewhere just before Morecambe South Jcn ?

RalphW · ‏19 إبريل 2016

At 20.04 we were in the the cutting having just come under the road bridge for Morecambe Lodge, by 20.05 we were passing the level crossing at Hest Bank. Over that distance we had accelerated from 17 to 30 mph.

Waterbuck · ‏19 إبريل 2016

مقتبس من RalphW: ↑

At 20.04 we were in the the cutting having just come under the road bridge for Morecambe Lodge, by 20.05 we were passing the level crossing at Hest Bank. Over that distance we had accelerated from 17 to 30 mph.
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Many thanks for that Ralph, what a great day out and always lovely to see you and yes, I did behave myself (as always) sat behind the big boss. Also NO Im not leaking any of the tit bits I may have overheard.

46223 · ‏19 إبريل 2016

مقتبس من Waterbuck: ↑

Also NO Im not leaking any of the tit bits I may have overheard.
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As Mrs. Doyle would say..... Aww.....go on, go on, go on, go on......

Mick45305 · ‏19 إبريل 2016

Just been calculating how long it took 46100 from passing Penrith to Shap Summit and the Scot posted a time of 14 mins 8 secs. Comparing this to the current single-headed southbound record held by Duchess of Sutherland in October 2010, 46100 was outside by 38 seconds on this section and was some 24 secs behind 46115's exhilerating run in May 2009 with a further 21 secs behind 5043's first grapple with Shap. With thanks to the late, great Mike Notley for these figures from Steam Railway, I'm sure he would have been in his element on Saturdays run.

Big Al · ‏19 إبريل 2016

مقتبس من Mick45305: ↑

Just been calculating how long it took 46100 from passing Penrith to Shap Summit and the Scot posted a time of 14 mins 8 secs. Comparing this to the current single-headed southbound record held by Duchess of Sutherland in October 2010, 46100 was outside by 38 seconds on this section and was some 24 secs behind 46115's exhilerating run in May 2009 with a further 21 secs behind 5043's first grapple with Shap. With thanks to the late, great Mike Notley for these figures from Steam Railway, I'm sure he would have been in his element on Saturdays run.
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Given that 46100 was eased after Harrison's Sidings (at the point when we could hear ourselves speak again!), more was possible on this climb but the job had been effectively done by that point. So that 38 second gap with the Duchess that you mention may well have been less had the driver not thought of his fireman!

jsm8b · ‏19 إبريل 2016

Sorry these are late but :-

The start of the day and just to complement Bob's shots the view from north of the river at Lancaster.
And the restart from Plumpton too.

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The Scot Commemorative 16th April

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The Scot Commemorative 16th April

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