Dalesman and Pendle Dalesman 2021

35018 seen at Helwith Bridge and on a charge from above Aisgill Viaduct.

 

35018 British India Line in the Ribble Valley with the returning Pendle Dalesman on 8/6/2021

David Price
Cop Lane on Flickr

 

08/06/2021 - SR 4-6-2 Merchant Navy Class 35018 "British India Line" on the Pendle Dalesman returning to Lancaster from Carlisle via the S & C captured at "The Eagle @ Barrow" foot crossing.

 

The returning Dalesman is scheduled to arrive in Hellifield GL at 17.46 (and was 7E) and due to depart Horrocksford Jn at 19.23, leaving 97 minutes for watering and running the 13 miles. There must be a temptation to try to run in front of the 19.10 departure from Clitheroe to Rochdale. Rather than constantly checking RTT I decided to mooch over to Wilpshire in good time for either eventuality.

When I arrived at the overbridge beyond the summit I was the sole watcher - I was early. The early slot came and went and as the pathed time approached (on its way per RTT) I was still Billy no Mates! Just as the train arrived (RT) two chatty locals turned up.

I have posted a bit of mobile phone footage, not for its artistic merit but to illustrate 3 points. Wilpshire summit lies about a train length beyond the distant overbridge, BIL works hard through the platforms and under the bridge but is then prematurely? eased, after a short pause lesser power is re-applied until the loco breasts the summit when the regulator is closed. As BIL passes under the bridge the coal consumed during the day is very obvious when looking in the tender; the remaining coal has been pulled to to the front whilst the back is empty. Last, but by no means least, the voices on the soundtrack confirm the presence of others - I was no longer Billy no Mates! Despite the easing the speed at the summit was around 27 mph.

 

That's something new. Not been restricted before. 35018 roared over the Arches at 38 on the CME on the 22nd May.

 

Wonder what's happened as it wasn't many years ago that NR did a big engineering job on the viaduct to strengthen it and remove the former 20mph slack and weight restrictions.

 

I wonder if the restriction is connected with the house building taking place around the viaduct especially at the west end ?

 

Very surprised they are actually building houses in that area especially after what happened with Storm Desmond in 2015

 

Didn't Storm Desmond cause all that area to flood

 

The way things are if you leave a skip full of dirt lying around too long someone will build a house on it. I hope the potential buyers check the insurance cost before signing the contract

 

Scot today, Thurs. AN

 

46115 on the return at Low House Crossing this afternoon:


Scots Guardsman at Low House Crossing

 

46115 - 17.06.21

 

That's a cracking shot at an opened up angle Ian

 

46115 at a sunny Stockber .