The Dalesman 2019

The dreaded diesel issue kinda muddies the water and misses the point I was making. If there was no alternative and it was considered because of his little legs he was unable to keep time, then it would be sensible on the WCML to put a diesel on. But, I’m being careful here, when there are three more capable locos sitting in the shed, it is not a very good use of his more than adequate resources.

 

There was a small lineside fire near Oxenholme,power was switched off whilst this was dealt with hence the delays to both northbound and southbound service trains.It was a surprise the train was not looped at Grayrigg,there was already something in the loop at Tebay but it would probably have gone inside at Penrith if the following train had not been held at Oxenholme.

 

If the following services hadn't been delayed it's a safe bet the 8F WOULD have been looped. The planners are not fools, luck doesn't come into it. The 'Something delayed' is reported as OLE problems.
There was provision for the 8F to be looped, it wasn't needed, so they let it keep going. The 8F didn't delay anything.
But......................let's knock WCRC.

 

Thanks Toni. It is an honour to be addressed as such by a gentleman as revered as your good self. In my younger days I was known as Oz, but either will do nicely. As regards sleepers, there were 4 in my coach; 3 dozers and 1 comatose with left-sided drool.

 

As you say knocking WC seems to be a bit of a pastime on here, might I suggest that the armchair experts who weren’t there and don’t know all the facts just avoid speculating. It doesn’t achieve anything.

 

Thanks Al. Just a few points not specifically in response to your post but picking up some other points mentioned.

West Coast very rarely use the same loco on trips that are only 2 or 3 days apart - prep time/remedial work? 45690 was on the CME 13/07. 45690 & 6201 are due to work ECS stock to Crewe on 19/07 (6201 for CME on 20/07, 45690 for NWCE on 21/07 - both for RTC and both "declared locos"). Perhaps BIL had been pencilled in for the Dalesman but its belated return to Carnforth (19.20 on 15/07) with condition unknown (certainly by us on here) effectively ruled her out.

So perhaps risk 6201, but still a bit fresh out of the box and promised for a Saturday job. The last time I travelled behind 45690 with 12 over Shap (CME 14 Oct 2017), albeit in the hands of an inexperienced driver, it took 56.5 mins Carnforth to Shap summit and 17.5 at Shap Wells (15 for 48151) (an identical time to the 8F).

A diesel on the back was suggested, this would certainly have drastically improved the uphill but would still be limited to a max of 50 mph, probably the overall time would have been ok. With hindsight perhaps keep the diesels on to Carlisle and the 8F from there - with hindsight!

NR should be in a charitable mood as it is their inability to repair/replace the point at Hellifield (first afflicting the Dalesman on 30 April) that prevented this trip from running to its original path, where the 8F would almost certainly have been used.

 

Claiming the 8F didn't delay anything is no better than claiming it did if the full facts are not known.

 

Definitely agree with that! WCR didn't want to be running the Chester Dalesman this way. Anyway there's only one more run left on 6 August. Three weeks is a long time in railway operations.

 

Wait a minute, it is being suggested that WCRC were wrong to send the 8F up Shap, we've all read these posts about it being slow and causing delays to service trains ect. so c'mon....................what was delayed?
I'm saying that the planners had put built in provision to loop the 8F so it DIDN'T cause any delays. The provision was not required.
There are some members on here who never miss an opportunity to have a pop at WCRC.
I'll tell you this, if it wasn't for the WCRC the railtour industry would be in difficulties.

 

Any idea what loco is doing The Dalesman on Tuesday 23rd July please?

 

Ok Ralph W, thanks for that, really appreciate it.

 

Are there any clues as to what caused the fire,from what Ive heard it definitely was not Billy Joel !!


HE

 

Not Jim Morrison, possibly Arthur Brown?

 

Yes it was a strange world that Arthur Brown lived in


HE

 

Stated on another forum that fire in Oxenholme area after steam went past!




HE

 

He is still performing and still does FIRE, minus the flaming head dress

 

I thought he lived in Whitby!

 

You mean this