Dalesman and Pendle Dalesman 2021

It is said that a criminal always returns to the scene of the crime and similarly with Oswald; less than a week after depositing my iphone in the ballast beneath the overbridge on the Blackburn side of Wilpshire summit, I was back. [My new best mates at NR referred to the location as "BROAD MEAD Overline Bridge, Bridge Ref: DJH/13" - I suspect a typo as the track leads to Broadhead Farm].

It was after 7pm, the searing heat of the day had abated but it was still 24C, still a cloudless blue sky and with only the merest hint of a breeze. After a few minutes there were three of us on the bridge, 2 serious videographers and me. One drew my attention to a deer walking nonchalantly along the down line towards Clitheroe; it was less than a phone's throw away. After a minute or so it crossed the up line and disappeared into the trackside vegetation.

The Rochdale bound train came and went (and cleared Daisyfield Jn 1E), hopefully Leander should get a clear run from Whalley. The Clitheroe bound service cleared Ramsgreave & Wilpshire station and headed off, the view was now unobstructed.

Very soon afterwards Leander could be heard barking away in the distance, she came into view and blasted through the station, grey exhaust shooting skywards, under the road bridge at the end of the platform, still working hard and making good progress towards the summit. Around 2 coach lengths beyond the summit the driver, Steve Chipperfield (thanks Shep) closed the regulator whereupon thick, dark smoke billowed from the chimney, turning grey/yellow where it was struck by shafts of evening sunlight that had sneaked between the trees. With no breeze the smoke hung in the cutting long after the train had gone. Leander departed Clitheroe 3E and was still 3E through Ramsgreave and Wilpshire and passed the summit at around 28mph.

My thanks to all for the day's (free) entertainment and especially to Ralph for requesting a "whistle for a Wistle" at Hoghton and to Mick/Rob for blowing the whistle. Thankfully the forecast for the weekend here in the NW is some rain and lower temperatures.

 

45690 breasting Hoghton summit on the outward journey yesterday. From post #305, I reckon that must be a lesser spotted Wistle poking its head above the parapet.



https://richardstevens.smugmug.com/

 

Guilty as charged!

 

The twiddly bits took me a bit longer than expected but here is my mobile phone footage of Tuesday's returning Pendle Dalesman. Leander with 10 in tow tops Wilpshire summit on a hot and sunny evening.



Oswald's hand remained on his tripod throughout . . . . now don't be naughty, no Sir Percy Filth!

 

35018 with the return Dalesman 22.07.21. Just cruising along...

 

35018 Steady through Kirkby Stephen .

 

35018 seen passing Arcow Quarry and Kirkby Stephen Station.

 

SRMN class No. 35018 'British India Line' works 'The Dalesman' away from Shotlock Tunnel northbound to Carlisle with Mick Kelly driving, Steve Clark on the
shovel and Roly Parker Guard



Working the return 'Dalesman' over Denthead Viaduct No. 35018 'British India Line' with Davey Blairt driving, Rob Russell on the shovel and Roly Parker Guard

 

Leander at Ais Gill on Tuesday just gone:


Leander at Ais Gill

 

What's hauling tomorrows pendle dalesman a mate of mine is wanting to know who I suggested this tour to go on tomorrow? RTT times are up but Loco T.B.C.
Davo 56F

 

35018

 

British India Line southbound through Brock.

 

A markedly different feel to the day at Chapel Lane (aka "The Road to Hoghton Bottoms" - is there a book title there? Author, George Wistle or Oswald Orwell, mmm?). It was only 17C and feeling cool in the merest hint of a westerly breeze, the sky was an even grey colour with just an occasional glimpse of watery sunshine to lift the colours of the vegetation that fills the trackside at this time of year.

BIL was running RT at Bamber Bridge and pretty soon there was a shrill whistle in the distance followed by three more at regular intervals, a delay then another much nearer whistle (Hoghton station?). Despite some intermittent traffic noise BIL's exhaust was clearly audible, the swoosh, swoosh, swoosh drew nearer and suddenly louder as she appeared under the occupation bridge. Then a noise from behind as the Colne-Preston approached. BIL's exhaust, pale bluish-grey was lifting well, a hint of a feather at the safety valves, she gave a long whistle for the crossing just as the unit slipped under the bridge. The trains passed quickly. BIL headed towards the summit, 11 coaches on the 1/101r was not even half a challenge for such a powerful locomotive. She passed under the bridge, a whistle for those by the foot crossing followed by a quickening exhaust beat as she headed off into the distant haze.

Three of us on the bridge. BIL was running RT and around 30/31 mph towards the summit. Not the ear bashing of a Jub or the Scot but a handsome loco and well worth the watch. Weather forecast is not too promising for the return, so a case of wait and see.

 

In full dull accelerating through Bamber Bridge this morning.

 

Especially for those of a Southern persuasion, a bit of phone footage from Chapel Lane. On a very calm day BIL's whistle for the crossing at Hoghton station can be heard clearly at the start of the video; the crossing is more than 0.8 miles away and the whistle arrived over 90 seconds before the train.

 

Thanks for the heads up. Oswald has not left the building!

 

Footage of 35018 Climbing out of Lancaster , Chatburn, Selside Shaw , Salt Lake Cottages and Crosby Garrett .

 

Are you sure Ralph as the path from Carnforth to York shows SG having passed Leeds a few minutes ago . https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:47094/2021-07-27/detailed