LMS 45690 Winter CME 21st Jan 2017

Now it all makes sense, to me at least (me who obviously can't count - but it was early and moving quickly and close and I had my gloves on and I'm an idiot . . .)

 

About 70 mph through Tebay, 20 mph at Shap Summit, so I guess not much assistance from the rear on the important bit.

By the way, I think it is only load 10 + Class 37. Coaches A to H + kitchen + support.

Sorry - it is 11. There's an extra unlettered coach.

 

Hi Guys,nice to see steam on the West Coast Mainline,here is may capture of Leander passing Brock today
https://www.flickr.com/photos/garstangpost/32285362612/in/photostream/
Hope everyone enjoys the trip behind Leander
Best Wishes Tony

 

We'll since it is in the public domain that the load for a Jub is 7 at this time of year then a conscious business decision has been made to increase to 11. That means a diesel has to be added. So it is not an adverse condition but a purposeful misuse of a diesel to drive profit and not deliver what has been sold.

 

Harsh but fair.
The other disappointing point is that despite taking the trouble to post an operational update during this week the WC spokesman remained silent on the load /diesel question even though it was a topic of discussion.

 

Climbing Grayrigg bank this morning.......................

 

perhaps he's too busy...
...helping with the operation or something, to be answering questions from enthusiasts???!!!

 

Footage of 45690 in fine form this morning seen at Standish, Bay Horse and approaching Shap Summit.

 

I agree with much of what you say Big Al, apart from the final "if indeed anyone is at fault"

The faults, very clearly plural, are in the system. The system includes WCRC, RTC and Network Rail in varying proportions & none of them are willing to provide explanations or more importantly solutions.

Today we have wrong route (NR inadequacy), faulty stock (inadequate maintenance), wrong steam loco (inadequate power) false advertising (wrong cut & paste) & wrong diesel (no heat). My solution? Kick out the inadequate so-called professionals NOW, or perhaps the ever declining number of those defending the system think they should be given another chance. Say another five years, just to give them the opportunity to get their act together? (Sorry folks, I find myself repeating what was said in 2012).

 

Like the Leopard, WCRC will not change it's spots. First train of the year, provided an underpowered locomotive + assisting diesel. C'est la vie. That's 66 out of the last 115 tours for RTC and SD that were advertised as Steam Hauled yet Diesel Assisted. Happy New Year Gullible Travellers!!!!!

 

I assume the other 49 were cancelled?

 

News today. A southern rail season ticket holder successfully obtained a refund on his season ticket as he proved that what he had purchased had not been delivered. The refund was from his credit card company under section 75 of the consumer credit act. Proof was obtained from the TOC.

Seems transferable to customers today on the CME. If more people take the route of raising a dispute via the card company, the operators will lose the ability to take card payments. May snap them into line.

Beauty of it is that the operators would have to make full disclosure for the card company.

Time for paying customers to bite back!

 

45690 this morning at Golborne before the sun had risen, at Oubeck Loops and from the "wrong" side at Shap Wells:

 

Footage at Forton , Shap Wells/Summit and finally Shap village .

 

Left Carnforth Leander off 57 on for heat

 

Oh dear, and this after a post earlier in the thread that steam will be on to Preston.

Dave B

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/10257146@N05/32291539542/

Fabulous weather today in the north-west.....45690 seen here at Shap Wells after the recent tree felling.

 

Not too busy to post about the extended southbound steam though ......
Four more words too much? Load 11 plus diesel?
4 more .... Economical with the truth.

 

Well, despite the 37 on the rear, Great to see (and talk to) so many familiar faces out for it today, weather couldn't have been much better.

My shot from among the gallery at Docker:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/23006205@N07/32293127272/in/dateposted-friend/

Steven

 

For those of us watching from the lineside, I don't think we could have done much better with the weather today. I'll admit to one shot having seen the light drop a bit, but for the whole climb between Grayrigg and Shap Summit to be in full sun was brilliant to see.

I've included two from today. One on the outward that was taken in the Lune Gorge, and the second taken a couple of miles North of Plumpton Loop on the return.



Stanier Jubilee No. 45690 'Leander' - Lune Gorge by Jonathon Gourlay Photography, on Flickr



Stanier Jubilee No. 45690 'Leander' - Calthwaite by Jonathon Gourlay Photography, on Flickr