Cumbrian Mountain Express 2022

Surely the undertaker would have been the guard to keep it close to real life?

 

Reliably informed that BIL is heading Saturday’s CME.

 

Someone who is on Saturday’s CME tells me loco changed to 46115 (as per RTC email today).

 

BIL has now been put onto the Holyhead charter from Liverpool on the Sunday

 

It's that TIME again!

I would be grateful if anyone travelling on Saturday's CME can record, then post a time for the climb from Ormside to the Aisgill summit sign. I am keeping a record of all posted times for the year. [Pleases see post #63 on the "WCRC Scarborough Spa/Dalesman/Spirit of the Lakes/normal tours 2022" thread for full details.]

I may already have arranged to get a time for this one, but just in case, better two or three than none at all. Thanks in anticipation and enjoy. Remember, "Oswald needs YOUR time!"

 

46115 at Docker.

 

I’m hearing that a class47 will be on the front from Carlisle.

 

Completely duff info, 46115 still on the front. Apologies.

 

Video from the outward leg from Bridge CGJ7/80, Paddy's Lane (Scalthwaite Rigg) according to the plate attached but maps show it as Paddy Lane.

Forgot to thank Idris (Bodorgan Boys) for the enjoyable chat at the location.

 

46115 at Docker Viaduct and Kirkby Stephen .

 

Royal Scot class No. 46115 'Scots Guardsman' working today's 'Cumbrian Mountain Express' through Benson Hall to Carlisle with David Blair driving, Martyn Soames on the shovel and Roly Parker Guard



With a beautiful Pennine background, No. 46115 'Scots Guardsman' hauls the return 'Cumbrian Mountain Express' south through Birkett Common on its way to Preston, David Blair driving, Martyn Soames on the shovel and Roly Parker Guard

 

I’d read your post , spotted it was very late leaving so decided I wasn’t going to wait around for a 47 but thankfully I got a call as I neared Tebay saying 46115 was indeed leading One of those things so not to worry as at least I caught her .

 

I was shown a text message that a guy beside me had received which had originated from someone speaking to a contact in the signal centre at Carlisle. The message was to the effect that the steam charter would be delayed departing by up to 4pm. Later, he then showed me a second text from the same source saying that the class 47 would be on the front and that the train would be leaving in a few minutes, which it did. Knowing what it is like standing around in the hot sun, I thought it prudent to pass on what I had been shown. I saw the charter within 20 minutes after it’s departure and immediately corrected the duff info.

 

Like I say you weren’t to know just one of those things

 

A day for changes - unfortunately. Having heard that 46115 was booked to come on at Preston I elected to go to Bay Horse where my favoured location had been taken over by 50 - 60 cattle of whom 20 were quite keen to make my acquaintance by approaching then crowding and fighting to lick my clothing for some strange reason.A shot of the Scot would have been some compensation but the decision to change locos at Carnforth as per usual dissuaded me from chasing it; you win some you lose some and today I lost !

 

[Dear Teacher, Oswald was unable to go out and watch the train yesterday because . . . . he was ON IT!!! Signed, Mrs W]


Cumbrian Mountain Express 16 July 2022 – 46115 Scots Guardsman hauling 10+POB+47.804

At 19.47 on Saturday 29th February 2019, Mick Kelly eased “45562 Alberta”, at the head of the returning Cotton Mill Express, to a stop in platform 5 at Preston station. A couple of minutes later Oswald alighted. It had been a good day, a very good day; excellent running throughout in fine weather until, around teatime, storm Jorge announced his arrival with lashing rain and strong winds. This was nothing compared to a storm of a very different kind that was about to strike.

However, 5 jabs later and with effective(?) antivirals only a phone call away, Oswald had decided it was time to “remount the iron horse”. The first attempt (CME 25th June) was cancelled as was the second (Dalesman 28th June); was this to be third time lucky?

I booked a table for four albeit only Mrs W and I were travelling; I guess you could call it a “semi Shireman”. (As I don’t need to be “milepost side” a full Shireman with 8 seats across the aisle was not a necessity).

The train drew into Preston headed by 37.706 with 47.804 on the rear. We were at the rear of coach F (this would be 7th when the POB was added at Carnforth). The early morning cloud began to thin but it was still coolish with no sun (16C). An uneventful ride along the WCML saw us stop in Carnforth loop 5L. The 37 was detached and SG and support added. I enquired about the 47 on the back, because of fire risk it was remaining in situ – not the best start, but not unexpected.

Somewhat unexpectedly and almost 5E, we set off. So how much would the 47 be pushing? Well, just over a mile out we were up to 44 mph!! but then it must have backed off as in the next mile speed fell back to 19 mph!? It appeared that the 47’s contribution may be intermittent, but who knows. We were too far back to hear much from 46115, but there was some noise and some grey exhaust was drifting back. We were also too far from the diesel to hear its contribution. All that said, here we go.

We topped Yealand at 42/3 mph and began to accelerate to gain some speed for the climb to Grayrigg with a max of 69 mph and 68.5 across Beela Viaduct (MP13), down to 65.4 at Milnthorpe (2E) and through Oxenholme at 52 & 2¾E. The sun had broken through and the views, particularly to the west, were spectacular. We held 48/9 mph on the 1/131r towards Lambrigg. We topped Grayrigg at 44 mph (3¼E) with a min of just over 43. MP13 to MP26 took 14m 48s.

Now we needed to gain some speed for the climb to Shap. Just a shade under 61 mph at Lowgill and speed continued to build as we headed through the Lune Gorge with a max of 75.5 mph. We crossed under the A685 (MP31.5 – the start of the “Shap Trial” section) at 73 mph. Across the Lune at 72.7, Tebay S Jn 71.6, across the Lune again 68.4 and now onto the 1/75r; Birbeck Viaduct 58.8, under the Greenholme Road at 51.2 and 40 at Scout Green. The gradient was now biting as we crossed the road to the Shap Wells Hotel at 35.9. As we entered the cutting SG was barking away at the front. We passed MP37.25 (end of the Shap Trial) at 30.3 with a min of 30. With most of the train now beyond the 1/75r we picked up speed quickly, 34.3 as we passed the summit board (6E). MP31.5 to MP37.25 took 7m 31s and 8m 13s to the summit board. It had become a pleasant sunny afternoon (24C on train).

Down the hill we picked up speed quickly, up to 73.7 as we crossed under the M6 a mile beyond Harrisons sidings with a max of 78 beyond Thrimby Grange. Soon after which we began slowing for a 20 mph TSR around MP47. Through Penrith at a shade over 66 & 3¾E, a brief foray into the low 70s before we began slowing for our approach to Carlisle and, unchecked, we stopped in pl3, 6¾E and 73m 55s after starting out from Carnforth.

A walk to the front where I found out the crew details; David Blair driving and Martyn Soames firing. A brief chat with Martyn confirmed that they would remain on the footplate for the return.

We had brought food with us and found a suitable sunny spot to eat it, followed by a walk to the centre and a stroll around the magnificent cathedral and grounds before heading back to the station.

The stock had remained in pl3 and the 47 was now burbling away on the north end of the train. We wandered down to the south end where SG and support were just being coupled to the front. Time to climb back on board, we were now at the front of the 5th carriage and hopefully would hear a bit more of the action. The sun had been shining through the glass roof of the station and into the windows on the west side of the coaches; our seats were on the west side, the sun streamed in and it was now an unpleasant 28C in the shade - but there was no shade!

All appeared well, SG was blowing off, but our departure time came and went, and the minutes continued to tick by. Men in high viz jackets wandered about near the front of the train but still nothing happened. The speakers in our coach were so quiet that it was impossible to discern anything but the odd word from an announcement. A fellow traveller returned from another coach with the story that the diesel was being put on the front. Time continued to pass and nothing, then David Blair and Roly Parker headed towards the back of the train carrying a tail lamp; they returned a few minutes later still carrying the tail lamp – what was going on?! A few minutes later, with a blast on the hooter, we were off.

[Later in the journey I spoke with the Train Manager and the gist of the story was this. The replacement driver for the 47 (or the train he was due on) had failed to arrive in Carlisle. Several plans were considered, at one point the 47 would have been detached and “parked” – hence David & Roly heading to the back. Eventually it was back to Plan A – the 47 was to remain on the back and with NR’s agreement would be manned by one of WCRC’s fitters. Subsequently, a driver for the 47 took over from Hellifield.]

Off we went 46½L, SG was working hard and in good voice (and presumably the 47 was assisting). We passed under the M6 (2+ miles out) at 37 mph (30+ mph is usually indicative of a good start). 40.4 past Cumwhinton and 48.6 past Howe & Co SB. A min of 45 on the climb towards Low House with 53 at the crossing box (45¼L). We were roaring along, 60.7 across Drybeck Viaduct and a max of 63 in the dip before climbing to Armathwaite (58.5 & 45L). 63 across Armathwaite Viaduct and still 61 into the tunnel, climbing in and out of the tunnels, with 56.9 as we left Baron Wood No1 and a min of 54.2 at the summit. We shot through Lazonby (44½L) maintaining speed as we crossed Long Meg Viaduct where the Eden looked very low and was partially covered in green algae. Up the 1/132r and past Little Salkeld at 59.8, lovely sound from the front and cinders accumulating on our table, a min of 51.2 increasing to 52.1 through Langwathby (44¼L). Despite David & Martyn’s efforts time was proving difficult to win back; Culgaith SB 43½L & 60.2, Kirkby Thore SB 43¼L & 59.2. I told Mrs W that the ice cream stop at Appleby would be cancelled – not a popular decision! Approaching Appleby we eased, signals clear and away again 53.5 mph and now only 29¾L. Carlisle (start) to Appleby (pass) 37m 25s.

We roared along gathering speed into the dip. (I was on the wrong side for mileposts so took a time from the south end of Ormside Viaduct.) Up the 1/100r and into Helm Tunnel at 53.1 and out at 50.1 and a min of 46.1 before the gradient eases at Griseburn. Back up to 50 at Crosby Garrett, over the viaduct, in and out of the tunnel and up to 54.3 at Smardale to take onto the next stretch of 1/100r. Through Kirkby Stephen station at 44.7, down to 44.4 at the Box (27¼L) and up to 46.2 as the gradient eases. Into Birkett Tunnel at 42.7 and out at 41.4, the gradient eases at Mallerstang (44.9 & 26½L), and a max of 47.7 near Sycamore Tree Farm. Now less than 3 miles of 1/100r to go; Angerholme 41.8, Aisgill Viaduct 41.5, under the road bridge 41.7 but, approaching MP260, SG was eased for an adverse signal. We passed the Summit Board at 22.5 & 26¾L. Appleby to Aisgill Summit Board 21m 51s and (calculated from the Viaduct time), MP275 to the Summit Board 19m 33s.

We were held for around 90 seconds but once away quickly gathered speed down the hill. The schedule allows little opportunity to regain lost time on what is a 60-mph railway. In the late afternoon sunshine, the views across “the roof of England” were spectacular and this was followed by a rollicking good descent alongside the Ribble before finally stopping in Hellifield loop for water (37L).

It was sticky and uncomfortable (31C) whilst we waited for what seemed like an age for the loco to be watered (actually only 20 minutes) and then we were off (41L). As we left Hellifield the herd of Highland cattle watched from their field – phew, they must be hot. So, would we get straight out at Horrocksford Jn? Yes (34L). We were following the 17.19 departure from Clitheroe to Rochdale (we had been scheduled to run in front of it). Straight through Clitheroe (36.5 & 33¼L), speed rose to the mid-40s until, approaching Whalley, we braked and slowed to 2 mph (presumably waiting for the signal to clear). Then we were off again, a tad under 20 mph through the station and on to the Arches, SG was giving it plenty; the noise was worth the admission money alone. With power available from both ends speed rose to 40.9 at Langho (34½L). We hammered up the bank, 40 in and out of Wilpshire Tunnel and 34.3 through Ramsgreave & Wilpshire station (31¼L) with a minimum of 33 just before the station. The climb from Whalley to Ramsgreave & Wilpshire had taken 7m 40s.

We ran unchecked at Daisyfield Jn and through Blackburn (36.5 & 31L), speed increased as we rattled along; Cherry Tree 50.8 and Pleasington 55.6 (now under 30L). We speeded on our merry way with a max of 67 before Gregson Lane, slow for Bamber Bridge, through Lostock Hall (23L) and joined the WCML at Farrington Curve Jn. We slowed to a crawl approaching Ribble Jn (where we had originally been booked to stand for 10 mins) then away, crossing into pl3 (rather than 6). We stopped 12¾L.

Mrs W said that she was too hot and left the train as I was still gathering up my bits and pieces. I met her down by the loco (where else). Martyn Soames was covered in coal dust from head to toe, save for his beaming white grin – I doubt that the first pint would touch the sides. The support coach was detached from the train and shortly afterwards 46115+POB headed off home, Mrs W and I followed suit (no, not Carnforth – Wistle Towers).

Would I have preferred to travel without a tailgunner? Yes. Would I have liked a cooler day? Yes. Most importantly, did I enjoy myself? YES! Well done to WCRC and NR for coming up with a solution to the Carlisle conundrum. My thanks to all involved in planning and operating the trip especially the staff at RTC who sorted out the credit on my account from various cancelled trips.

 

46115 Scots Guardsman crossing Whalley Arches with the CME on 16/7/2022

David Price
Cop Lane on Flickr

 

Phone picture at KS .

 

You must be beefy....