RTCs The Waverley 2016

Excellent day out yesterday and thanks to messrs Rawlings (out) and Chipperfield (return) and indeed all involved at RTC and WCR. 80 mins running time from a standing start at Birtley Junction to York including a slow just before the climb out of Durham, stopping and starting at Darlington and a properly cautious approach to York (platform 10). So, more or less even time with 11 on, not spectacular but suggests this is now a strong engine capable of plenty in the right conditions.

And by the way, 86mins from Low Fell to Carlisle with slacks through half a dozen stations is a schedule which might look ok on a piece of paper but is a bit unrealistic. Coming back with just the one station slack and a TSR or two, 86 mins was realistic.

 

Why we go out when the sun shines

 

Nice one Henry, is that at Stocksfield beside the A68?

 

Cheers no its just off A69 near Beltingham, Moralee Bridge

 

Thanks, I don't usually get that far west, but I know where you mean.

 

Looks like everyone who has gone on The Waverley has had a great time, and I wonder if the operators have stumbled upon a itinery that is possibly better than the original S&C route.

Giving, decent speed running in 2 directions, good start and finish times, no rear gunner, and a load not too taxing on the loco.

Would be great to see it repeated next year in its current guise.

 

If it was repeated, I would try and go on it. Unfortunately this year after seeing it was unassited, could not make any of the remaining dates.

 

Like you Paul, I would as well, taking the grand children, and introducing them to steam on the mainline.

Just feel they have stumbled across a good workable day out.

 

There's obviously pros and cons. In favour of the ECML and Tyne Valley there is the authenticity of a run over the ground the A3 was designed for and a very pleasant run up the valley and over the hill. There won't be any running on the flat at 75 via the Aire Valley and the S and C. So I'm very pleased with the outcome this year.

On the other hand, the S and C is simply the best most scenic route in England in my opinion. There is the history of Firdaussi, Sunstar , Neil Gow etc running over the route in 60/61.

I slightly take issue over the times. The return run this year was late, an hour later back than RTC wanted. It was OK for the York people but clearly not as good for Leeds and quite poor for most places beyond Leeds including of course the Aire Valley where there is a lot of population.

I don't see why a 7P requires a tail gunner over the S and C. So if 60103 is available for this in 2017, I'd vote for the S and C itinerary. But then I was lucky enough to go on the train last sunday!

 

I would like it if they did a mixture of the two over a longer period. I have only travelled on Tyne Valley once before.

 

Was it not going to be a loop York - Carlisle -Newcastle to York???

Sunday running is the big bonus, as the mainline is slightly quieter, only problem can be engineering works I suppose.

Regarding tail gunner with 12 on over S&C, think that would overstep the mark with what was mentioned in the report, outlining future operation.

However well done to all concerned to rescue a good operation from the S&C closure.

 

I hadn't heard it was going to be the Hadrian route. That is attractive from York but makes things more difficult from Leeds, Keighley etc. In previous years it has been S and C out and back.

I agree it might have to be loco plus pob plus ten revenue coaches-- which is what it was last Sunday.

Going back to Paul's message, why not ECML/Tyne Valley one week, S and C the next, say four runs each way over the summer?

Just because we had a temperate summer up here this year it doesn't follow conditions will be so benign next year!

 

Your comment about alternating routes sounds like a great idea, lets hope those watching from RTC take it on board, giving the customer what is asked for is a sure fire way to success.

 

Last Waverley of 2016. A refreshing change to have regular steam over the Tyne Valley Line. Shots approaching Hexham and at Great Corby.


https://www.flickr.com/photos/iancawthorne/28988844254/


https://www.flickr.com/photos/iancawthorne/28988909434/

 

Nice shots Ian, we didnt have good day sunwise so wont be putting them on here,In bad light shots look sh--- not so good

 

The Waverley 11 September 2016 – 60103 Flying Scotsman hauling 11+POB

This month, both Mrs W and Oswald Jnr. have significant birthdays, so this weekend they’ve taken themselves off to watch an FC Barcelona game at the Camp Nou. My “present”, for which there can be no justification, was to have been a trip on the now cancelled Citadel Express. Not wishing to forego an opportunity I booked myself on the last of the season’s Waverleys. This would mean a journey to “The Dark Side” aka Yorkshire, so armed with only a curd tart and a signed photo of Geoffrey Boycott, I set off for Leeds on what was already, and was to remain, a lovely warm and sunny day.

This trip would be special for several reasons: my first steam hauled trip on this section of the ECML, my first trip behind FS since 21st August 1980 (CME Hellifield (vice Skipton) to Carnforth)), my first trip over the Tyne Valley line since 13th September 1980 (behind 4767 on the Tyne Tay Express 2) and my first steam hauled trip into Carlisle since, . . . . last Saturday!

After the usual preliminaries, Ron Smith got us underway from York RT. We were slowed before Skelton Bridge Jn but were soon away and up to 69 before Thirsk but were stopped before the station. We were scheduled out on the FL but remained on the SL. We passed Northallerton at 66 (3L), Darlington 70 (1L) and Tursdale Jn 73 (RT) we reached our (undisclosed) maximum about 3 miles further on before braking for our Durham operational stop. We were away again 1L, speed built to 70 around Chester le street and all too soon we stopped at Low Fell (1L) for water.

Chris Cubitt was at the regulator as we left Low Fell 4L. The line follows the course of the Tyne on rising gradients for around 40 miles and has several speed restrictions (platform clearance issues?). FS had to work for her living as we accelerated away from repeated slowings and her precise exhaust beat could easily be heard 5½ coach lengths away. A shower of fine ash was making its way in through the windows which were all open on what was now a warm afternoon. The speed restrictions made it very difficult to win back time; we were only 1L at Corbridge but this was back to almost 4L by Haltwistle but a quick dash downhill saw us stop in platform 1 at Carlisle 2E.

Steve Chipperfield was ready to take us home but, as we had to cross just about every line in Carlisle station to get from platform 1, we were almost 4L before we got underway. The eastbound climb is shorter and steeper than westbound. On the 1/129 before Wetheral we were up to 41, this increased to 45 on the level through Wetheral and was held at 35 on the 1/109 past How Mill. By Low Row SB we were 4½L, what followed, despite the numerous speed restrictions was a top-drawer spell of downhill running where FS was called upon repeatedly to quickly accelerate the train. By Hexham we were still 3½L, FS was urged on, by Prudhoe 2½L, Wylam under a minute late, Blaydon 1½E and 3E at the Metrocentre. We were checked approaching Low Fell but arrived RT.

Away from Low Fell 3E, darkness was now descending. The return run called for nothing exceptional; speed was mainly in the mid 60s. We were 3L away from our pathing stop at Darlington and despite a slow run into York we stopped RT. FS was removed and 57313 re-attached for our return to Leeds.

A grand day out; good weather, a sprint down the ECML, two good runs over the picturesque Tyne Valley line and an immaculate FS, both in looks and performance. Thanks to all involved; the trip was professionally organised and operated and was, of course, “pure steam”. The last trip of the season was fully booked with what appeared to be happy passengers.

Downsides, well only one, too long a stay over in Carlisle, 2¾hours. I don’t know what you could do, other than the pub, on a late Sunday afternoon in bad weather.

As I returned to the station car park in Leeds, I felt suddenly tearful. Was I missing Mrs W? Was it travelling behind FS again after 36 years? No it was the flamin’ £19 I had to pay to park there on a Sunday!

So if you see Mrs W, just stick to the story - I wasn’t on the train, I spent Sunday at home doing the washing and ironing.

Aside - I did hear (good source) that, after very good loadings, WCRC are adopting this year’s template for Scarborough Spa Expresses again in 2017.

 

I think its £4.50 all saturday or all sunday nr York station, Leeman road/cinder lane York commuter car park = off the road to the new Signalling Centre.

 

After seeing 46100 leave Edinburgh in the morning, it was onto the next Kings Cross service and I just about made it in time to see 60103 pass through Durham with the safety valves lifting. Ignore the fact the signal doesn't appear to be showing an aspect, that signal is a new LED and doesn't always appear when a camera takes a photo at 1/800 sec!



James