The Whitby Flyer 7/04/18

Well, some interesting bits of track for those who wanted it. Northallerton dive-under and the stub at Battersby.

 

Due off Whitby at 16:30 no sign of it having left yet on RTT

 

Arrived Grosmont 17.03.

 

Thanks

 

And another problem with the B1 !

 

Arrived at Glaisdale.

 

A couple of poor photos from me - recovered only slightly by converting them to black and white!!

Picton - Battersby and Picton again.







Richard

 

The Whitby Flyer 07 April 2018 – 48151 & 61264 hauling 9+POB

This trip ran as advertised . . . other than the replacement of a Standard 4 with a Jubilee and then with 48151 and the changes to the provisional times (letter 04 Jan) and then on 06 Apr the operational stop at Battersby on the outward leg grew from 30 mins to 1 hour 51 mins.

Mrs W likes Whitby. Mrs W likes staying in bed until mid-morning. Mrs W likes football. The fact that her team were playing at home provided her with a welcome excuse not to accompany me as I left home just before 6.30 to catch the service train from Skipton to Leeds and then on to York to join “The Flyer”. (The Flyer may be a misnomer with an 8F in the formation; although the timings did call for some smart running). Thursday was a sunny day, Friday cloudy but dry. A lovely sunrise accompanied me as I drove to Skipton, but there was also a couple of fleeting showers. As I passed Holgate loop “The Flyer” was stopped with Les Ross still attached, 61264 was at the south end of another line and 48151 and support coach at the north end; all looked good to go.

I had arranged to meet up with RalphW at York; both being from the north-west we decided there would be safety in numbers in these “foreign parts”. I’m from Lancashire and usually travel “peasant class”, Ralph is part of the “Cheshire Set” and accustomed to better things, so we pushed the boat out (pun, boat, Whitby, keep up) and travelled first class. There were several familiar faces and time for a few chats. 48151 and its coach drew to the south end of the station. The panic merchants reported that there was a problem with the 8F, this was instantly dispelled when it crossed over and backed onto the train. A few minutes later the train drew into platform 11 and we boarded (coach E, in the middle). So 48151 (+ support) facing north on the north end and 61264 facing south on the south end.

At 10.01 (2L) we were off, on the slow line, the 8F was soon chattering away. We reached 42 just beyond Skelton Jn then slowed to 25 to cross Skelton Bridge. The locos were soon into their work, they were making good progress against a tight timing for a 50mph loco but were 4L by Pilmoor. Soon we were slowing for Longlands Jn (5L) and branched off to the left. There were quite a few watchers at the road crossings behind Northallerton station, as the main line climbed away we crossed under. The slowing had cost us another couple of minutes as we accelerated across Northallerton E Jn (28 & 7L). All this was new track for me. Good progress through Yarm and across the viaduct, Eaglescliffe (43 & 8L) then down to 20 at Stockton Cut Jn (9L). We had no scheduled stop at Middlesborough but we did stop in platform 2 at 11.14 (10L) to allow the 11.16 Nunthorpe-Hexham to clear the single track. (We were scheduled to cross at Nunthorpe but our late running ruled this out). We left 25L and made our way along the single track towards Battersby, all uphill with plenty of noise but plenty of slowings, Marton 14, Gypsy Lane 7, Nunthorpe 9 (29L). We arrived into Battersby 31L; a nice chunk out of the 1h 51m we were scheduled to wait (Friday’s revised times).

“Friday’s revised times” – in the original timings we had been scheduled to stop at Battersby for 30 mins to take water and then proceed towards Whitby and at Glaisdale would cross with the 12.15 Whitby-Middlesborough. Problem 1, one of the points at Glaisdale is faulty and the loop has been out of commission for 3 months (?), NR has been unable to resource the replacement! Problem 2, the road to Battersby station, that was to have been used by the water tanker, had “collapsed” and the tanker couldn’t make it to the station. A solution to problem 1 was already arranged – more later.

We were told to remain on the train and we would shortly leave Battersby towards Whitby where the tanker was waiting at the Battersby Road crossing (less than half a mile from the station), having watered we would return to Battersby. The B1 would be the lead engine (towards Whitby) and it was at this time that it developed a fault. This turned out to be electrical and, after a delay, was fixed – the best unintentional pun of the day from one of the train staff, “it wasn’t terminal.” The repair used up more time and so it was decided not to water.

The lines approaching Battersby Jn (north of the station) form a narrow V; to the east is Whitby and to the west Middlesborough. At the station only platform 1 is in use but platform 2 still exists with a usable line that forms a loop with the line in platform 1 and beyond the points to the south is a head shunt. So, how to cross with the Middlesborough bound train? NR staff were already on site, we set off south and the 8F drew us down to the headshunt. NR made the necessary safety arrangements and the unit was to be allowed into the platform 1 in front of us. Passenger trains do not usually venture on this section of track – so eat your hearts out all you rare track enthusiasts! Passengers were allowed to walk through the train and out onto the platform but to be back for 13.15 (for a 13.21 departure as per Friday’s times). Back on board we waited, the service train was running late. We were so far down the line that we were blocking the crossing at the south end of the platforms; this caused a problem for the postman who wanted to cross to deliver a parcel to the house across the track - solved with the help of the stewards.

The unit eventually arrived, reversed and left. The safety arrangements were undone and we set off at 13.45, a quick stop at Battersby Jn and we were away 13.49 (28L). The B1 “woofed” its way up the hill but we were dropping time, a couple of stops to get through Glaisdale and we were 38L as we stopped at Grosmont, any thoughts of a round trip on the NYMR disappeared with Friday’s times and were dead and buried with our late running. It was decided to water the B1 at the tower on the end of the platform. Having taken water we were now 44L. Progress was much as before, some good running punctuated by slowings. We stopped short of Whitby (token) and finally came to a stop in platform 2 at 15.08 (49L); the original timings gave 13.15. At least it was bright and dry.

We headed off to Trenchers for lunch, Ralph had fish pie and I had cod and chips – both very good. Trenchers must be the poshest chip shop in Whitby; it’s Mrs W’s favourite. Ralph had a call to make at a nearby shop, Botham’s. We left Trenchers in pouring rain a quick right turn up a narrow alley then out into Skinner street, the rain had virtually stopped and a few yards to left was Botham’s. Elizabeth Botham’s is a traditional (150 years) craft bakery, selling just about everything that makes you fat; pork pies, curd tarts, tea breads, parkin, fruit cake and biscuits of every persuasion. Ralph bought a couple of packets of biscuits, I just drooled. Not much time left so back down another alley and across the road to the station.

There was no sign of our train but after a few minutes the B1 drew the stock part way into the platform; there was some confusion if we should be boarding or not – NOT! The 8F was taking water from the tanker parked behind the marina car park. The B1 was also receiving a bit of attention to a battery (and they said it wasn’t terminal!). Eventually the B1 drew the stock fully into the platform and we boarded. At 16.35 (5L) with the 8F at the head of the train we departed, a brief stop to clear the token and we were on our way (8L). We were 9L into Grosmont where the B1 received some more attention (new battery?) and possibly water. We departed 26L. Progress was as quick as could be expected, the stop at Glaisdale costs around 5 mins and despite the efforts of the locos and crews we were 33L into Battersby and 35L out towards Middlesborough with the B1 now at the front. Our late running caused the Middlesborough-Whitby train to be held at Nunthorpe. (A cross at Battersby wasn’t possible as it would have needed NR staff – as earlier in the day). We crossed with the unit at Nunthorpe – sorry for the delay! (we were now 35L).

As we were out of path we were held at Guisborough Jn and passed through Middlesborough station (40L). There followed some good running, then we slowed as we approached Northallerton E Jn and on under the ECML, along the back of Northallerton station, back under the ECML and up to join the ECML Up Slow at Longlands Jn (35 & 41L) – at least we hadn’t to wait! We slowed to 35 around Thirsk then away again. Despite the best efforts of the crews the lateness had increased to 43 by Tollerton Jn. A generous allowance saw us stop in platform 10 (40L). The 8F and POB were detached and headed off north, a few minutes later the B1 drew the train out of the station towards Holgate loops. (A subsequent check on RTT showed that Les Ross had worked his magic and regained all the lost time (and more).

Crews (thanks to the gentleman for providing the info twice – I had nothing to write it down with the first time)

48151 – Holgate to Battersby – Driver, Ron Smith / Fireman, Bob Bullock
48151 – Battersby to Whitby – Driver, David Blair / Fireman, Bob Bullock?
61264 – York station to Whitby – Driver, Chris Cubitt / Fireman, Neil Woods
61264 – Whitby to York – Driver, Chris Cubitt / Fireman, Phil Akester
48151 – Whitby to York – Driver, David Blair / Fireman, Martyn Soames

It was nice to meet Gladiator 5076 who would have had a considerably longer day than me; a couple of trains and a 50 minute drive and home for 22.40. I had a good travelling companion, Ralph who furnished me with various “realtime” data and I gave him positional and speed data from my GPS. I think that we managed to entertain the “non-railway” travellers at our table and across the aisle. Ralph passed the biscuits round – as good as they looked – they do online!

The Esk Valley line is exactly what it says on the can, the line follows the river Esk and crosses and re-crosses it numerous times. The landscape, moorland, looks bleak at this time of year but can be appreciated because of the lack of foliage on the line side trees and bushes. Many of the lower lying areas were flooded. The route has an appreciable climb on tight gradients (summit 582ft) from just above sea level at both ends. Whitby is an attractive destination that circumstances reduced our stay from over 3 hours to less than half that time. Worthy of a repeat next year? Yes!

The trip was not without its problems all were addressed. There was little scope in the timings to regain lost time especially with a 50 mph loco. Thanks to RTC and WCRC for organising the trip and for the professional way they carried out their respective duties. Thanks also to “The Gravy Train” for the food and drink provided – delicious.

Information gleaned (from usually very reliable sources): The steam leak on the fireman’s side of BIL has been fixed. 46115’s overhaul is progressing well and repairs to 46201 will follow.

As we left Battersby (outbound) Mick Kelly and his good lady were standing on the disused platform. As we were boarding to leave Whitby the same pair were on the platform (looking for a ride to Battersby?). I’ve heard of a busman’s holiday but not a train driver’s – Mick was travelling incognito, civvies and no cap. Mrs W’s team won.

 

I can recommend "Abbey Wharf" if you ever go to Whitby again.

"The Whitby Flyer", 07/04/18.on Flickr

 

lovely shot mate smoke behaving nicely.Well processed

 

Good to meet you yesterday David. Pleasure (double) to furnish you with crew details - twice was no problem. Ralph could have introduced us properly mind you.

I believe that the new points at Glaisdale are being installed today - we'll see next Saturday!

Peter James

 

Thanks for the comprehensive update David, good to meet you and Ralph. Yes it was a very long day, 21 hours from alarm to getting back to my hotel near Heathrow where I fell asleep in the chair before I had finished my bottle of Spitfire!
I hope this weeks boarding at Whitby gets sorted out as the instructions from the NYMR gateline staff led to quite a dangerous situation on a narrow platform with passengers rushing in both directions and mingling with those with wheelchairs and strollers whilst a moving train was going by.

 

Here we go again - trial by social media! There was not a dangerous situation at Whitby. I know the station well and I am aware of the potential problems there. As the guard of the train it was not allowed to move until I was satisfied that all doors were shut and everyone was standing back from the platform edge. I was in radio contact with the driver at all time and I personally oversaw the movement to ensure absolute safety. This is the first indication that I have seen that it was not considered safe. I can assure you that the Train Manager or the stewards would have told me if they had seen anything untoward. I also think that you are being unfair to the NYMR staff who I found to be very helpful on the day. It was a challenging day on many levels but enjoyable none the less, but I was never aware that safety was compromised at any time.

Peter James

 

Thanks for that Peter I like to read your posts find them very informative I realise that you have had some criticism recently but as you can see it came from the faceless ones,
Keep on posting please.

 

I'll second that. There are getting less folk on NP now who know the job from the sharp end

 

Only my personal opinion Peter, (and no attempt at any trail by social media intended) as we had told the passengers the train would be pulling in, but then they were told to walk down to the far end of the platform, which seemed very strange as there were only about 2 coaches on it looked like from the booking office end. The train then pulled in and everyone ended up going in all directions. I was jostled myself and I am hardly invisible in a stewards jacket and as I said we had wheelchairs and strollers in that area. I am sure the doors were shut before the the train moved, all I could see were lots of passengers who had been sent to that end of the platform. One of the B1 support crew walked down the platform edge in front of the loco as it pulled in which helped a lot and there was shouting of keep back I guess from NYMR staff.
Your movement was fine, it is of course those off the train that are the issue, it reminded me of Hayes and Harlington when a Heathrow Connect service calls in the rush hour and departs whilst there are still about 100 people on a narrow platform.

 

But who sent them onto the platform? I don't think it was NYMR staff.

 

Thanks for the recommendation, maybe next year. Another great picture. Whilst crossing the viaduct I was looking for photographers - but didn't see any (Specsavers?)