Pennine Moors Explorer Sat 08/12/18

Nice shot. You were brave going up that hill in that rain! I looked at that spot as I drove past and thought.......no. The last time I went up there it was a nice spring day!

 

Thanks for that and it was well worth a soaking

 

Video of Britannia at Holme Tunnel on Copy Pit Line. Shame about the weather but the loco sounded great.

 

Pretty solid climb, considering the standing start and poor railhead conditions !

 

Cracking shots Liam , got the impression the Brit slipped to a possible stand lower down but I could be wrong but I’m sure someone will know .

 

70000 at Hoghton

 

70000 climbing towards Copy Pit Summit

 

70000 with the Pennine Moors Explorer at Hoghton, Copy Pit Summit and Winwick

 

Cheers Steve, I know we all heard it leave Manchester Road Station and then it went quiet for a few minutes. If it did slip to a stand it would be some effort to get it started again.

 

No, it was a slow but steady slog right from the off from Burnley. We were at the back so didn't hear every beat, but I didn't detect so much as a slip all day, even on that climb from the standing start. Masterful engine control all day, from what I could tell.

And can I add my thanks for your perseverance in climbing those hills to get some superb footage in such absymal weather!

 

Thanks for that and like you say we could hear the Brit all the way from Burnley but it seemed to go dead noise wise at one point hence we thought it’d come to grief

 

Probably a brief change in wind direction, we got lucky with the wind and rain, as I was expecting it to be straight into the lens !

 

Full LSL team in charge today. Expertly handled indeed away from Burnley as it was all day. No slips. I believe that where trips can be steam only they will be. Patience is all that's required.

 

The sound would go dead when it was in Townley tunnel..........

 

And can I add my thanks for your perseverance in climbing those hills to get some superb footage in such absymal weather![/QUOTE]

+1

As another traveller on this service - albeit as a diner - may I add congratulations to the catering team whose service was exemplary. If the standards met on this train become the norm then Saphos have a very good product to offer the market.

Sadly - as a traveller - the opportunities to photograph are less especially given the tragic incident at Bath last week where a 28-year old woman lost her life in tragic circumstances. Train stewards were polite but firm - no photography from the train during travel hence my "limited" collection from the day. I must praise those who braved the elements and thank them for the different perspective on an enjoyable experience behind steam with suitable heating from the rear generator van.

 

The accident happened close to where I live. The young lady from Penarth was believed to be leaning out of a carriage window, possibly an HST, when she was struck by lineside vegetation. Very sad. <BJ>

 

An event that could have been replicated on yesterday's railtour. When the train turned onto the new spur at Todmorden a fallen tree had fouled the train to the extent that it scoured the coaches as the train passed; it turned out that the train was the first to pass since the tree had fallen. I hope the coaches weren't damaged too much BUT had anyone had their head out of the window there could have been injuries - and further consequences for tour operators.

 

Hope that will be the case, but interestingly this was their most demanding train as far as banks are concerned. I'm hoping it's more the introduction of their Generator Car as it can obviously provide both power and heating. Their tours are planned well and don't need a diesel for turning stock. only the Dorset Coast Explorers actually need one en route. It will be interesting to find out what their 'mileage envelope' will be for steam only. Even without the diesel there's still the turn off of the Mk2 coffins for standard Class.

 

Chatting to one of the stewards at Burnley, more Mk. Is will be added next summer. A very good climb of Copy Pit from a standing start; it slogged it's way up in the low-mid 20s, dropping to about 18 near the top of the 1 in 68 (although admittedly, my GPS was all over the place). A good itinerary and nice to do the bank in a different direction. It was a case of third time lucky for Todmorden Curve as several trips have been promised, but all suffered from re-routings.

I didn't notice the fallen tree on the curve, but did see the scratches on the carriages at Crewe - having travelled across the Pennines via the the Standedge route in the morning, I can concur that the wind was strong.

 

A favour, if possible please...

Can anyone point me in the direction of mileage information relating to this trip, particularly between leaving the WCML at Farington Jn and Todmorden?

Thanks in advance.