CME 2023

Thank you very much

 

Leaning into the curve on the approach to Beckfoot SRMN class No. 35018 'British India Line' heads the 'Cumbrian Mountain Express' towards Carlisle with Steve Chipperfield driving, Martyn Soames firing and Matt Miller Guard



Drifting away from Risehill Tunnel No. 35018 'British India Line' approaches Dent with the return 'Cumbrian Mountain Express' to Crewe with Steve Chipperfield driving, a waving Martyn Soames firing and Matt Miller Guard. True to form the sun
appeared just as the train went out of shot!!

 

35018 26/08/2023 seen from Greenholme and Kirkby Stephen:

 

35018 seen from the footbridge near Shap Summit and at the Summit and Angrholme and Aisgill on the return.

 

The weather plays an important part when planning to watch/video trains; sun or no sun, wet or dry, the strength and direction of the wind can all influence the chosen location (or even if it might be better to stay at home). It had rained heavily overnight but by 7.00am it had stopped. The Met Office and the BBC had divergent views about how the day would turn out; the Met Office thought dry and cloudy whilst the BBC had sunshine and showers throughout the day. The day turned out to be dry with plenty of sunshine. Worryingly, by mid afternoon both forecasts agreed that around 17.00 (about when the train was due) there would be a high probability of heavy downpours, hail suggested one, could even be some lightning!

The train was running early and with Northern on strike the opportunity to run even earlier would present itself - maybe before the downpour. (If it happened - the forecasters weren't doing too well so far today). All the possible locations that were available, Whalley through to Hoghton, had the same risk of a downpour. The weather radar showed a big, slow moving, storm(?) that would be overhead around 17.00 - possibly a little earlier or later. If it was going to rain then I might as well head to Wilpshire where at least the loco would be working hard. Mrs W had gone out for a walk so if a brolly needed to be held, Oswald was it!

It was still sunny as I left home and headed east to pick up the M65. The eastern sky was the colour of a slate roof on a dark night in Barnsley. As I crested the hill there was a spectacular rainbow in the valley to the east. Just as well I was heading north west and away from the rain. A few seconds later a little gentle rain flecked the windscreen, then stopped. I parked on the station car park at Ramsgreave and Wilpshire.

A check on RTT showed that BIL had already left Hellifield. I pondered my options and finally decided on the road bridge overlooking the station. I gathered up my bits and pieces and strolled the 10-15yds to the bridge. Camera on a tripod and a camera phone clamped to the railings on the bridge. Another check on RTT and the CME had passed Clitheroe 15E - should be with us in about 10-15mins. The sky was darkening but nothing too ominous. Then the odd rain drop but it stopped almost immediately - phew, we'll be alright if that's it (I thought). Then another raindrop, then another, then more - b*gger the brolly was still in the car! Back to the car and brolly up just in time, the rain started in earnest. A camera phone, a camera (with an intended zoom) and whilst holding a brolly would test Oswald - hopefully not to breaking point.

Over the sound of rain the more welcome sound of BIL approaching in the distance could be heard. Cameras on, finger hovering near zoom - Oswald was ready. BIL rounded the bend, moving steadily without the hint of a hesitation or slip, white exhaust shooting upwards from her wide chimney. The crisp 3 cylinder "shush-shush-shush" growing louder, moving through the wet platforms, she hissed as she cleared her throat before emitting a very welcome whistle. Under the road bridge and the carriages with their roofs made shiny by the falling rain slipped, one by one, under the bridge. "Shush-shush-shush" went BIL up to and over the summit. 18C (falling to 13C in the rain), 18E & 24mph. I was so near to the car that I quickly grabbed everything and bundled it all inside. After a quick dry I headed home amidst thunder, lightning and even hail.

Back at Wistle Towers it hadn't rained but it was just starting, I gathered up all my belongings and headed in. A few minutes later there was a torrential downpour, thunder, lightning etc. Less than an hour later, it was dry - funny old weather! Oswald was wet again but still glad that I went. Thanks to everyone involved in running today's trip - I almost booked (and wished that I had).

 

Wonderful stuff!

 

Thanks John , much appreciated.

 

Risking rust there young Whistle

 

A quick spray with WD40 and a rub down with wire wool works wonders.

 

After reading David's account of his battle with the weather conditions that prevailed yesterday whilst recording 35018 on the returning CME, may I take the opportunity to point out that the dire conditions certainly spread further than the Lancashire area. I too was armed with the information from two differing weather forecasts and decided to go for the 'cloudy' area rather than the 'light rain' one. The 'cloudy' forecast favoured a panning shot, but whilst walking to the chosen site it was apparent that the forecast was a mile off from what was threatening. Once the rain started it became heavier and heavier - and in the minutes before BIL was due, it worsened to near storm conditions. It is hard to believe that the above image was recorded on a Summer's day in North-West England.

We must be mad...

 

A sense of humour is a definite requirement in the lineside game, as young Whistle points out WD40 is a must, oh and a brolly

 

This must’ve been the rain you encountered.

 

Yes, I wasn’t that far away from there. Hope the guy had a brolly…

 

Unfortunately I didn't have a brolly. Luckily BIL was approaching Armathwaite Station as the heavens opened. So I only had to wait a couple of minutes.

 

I liked the plume of water trailing from the last coach, but you must have got drenched.

Even a brolly is far from ideal, I can’t help thinking that there must be something better.

A family friend has recently purchased a “high-end” mobility scooter; more a buggy than a scooter. It came complete with a detachable, transparent hood that has various zipped openings – that would do a job! And he’s offered to lend it to me, but I doubt it would have the range to get to Wilpshire, never mind the S&C.

I tried one of those canvas hides much favoured by wildlife photographers. It was cumbersome to erect but ideal for videoing 60022 or 60019 and two deer (sorry but it was expensive).

Oswald needed to think outside the box, mmm . . . . or maybe inside the box. What about one of those boxes that they use to pack those very tall fridge/freezers? Cut a slot in the side and away we go. Except they’re made of cardboard which is not very resistant to water (if at all). I needed to sleep on it.

I woke up with a start. Uereka, a moment of inspiration, something that would be completely in keeping with my “image”. Portable, weatherproof, able to accommodate Oswald and Mrs W, large opening for video camera. Wait for it . . . .

A Punch & Judy Booth. “THAT’S THE WAY TO DO IT!!” Now where did I put those sausages? What do you mean they’re behind me?

 

I thought that was a normal summers day in NW England.
Great image though, I love steam in the rain.

 

Stick to WD49 young Whistle

 

Some comments on the Cumbrian Mountain Express of Saturday 26th August.

I joined at Wilmslow but there is no need to cover the diesel section to Carnforth loop, where addition of British India Line and the support coach made the load up to 10 coaches for around 370 tons tare and 390 gross. A strike day with only one train to overtake while the locomotive change was taking place, and we managed to set off rather more than three minutes early. Speed rose to 34 mph at milepost 7 with a slight increase to 34½ at post 8 where the locomotive was audibly opened up to produce an acceleration to 39 on the remaining part of the 1-in-134. Steady progress gave a maximum of 67½ at milepost 13, falling to 58½ at post 16½ with a slight increase to 60 on the easier stretch to post 17, then 54½ before and 55½ through Oxenholme with 51½ at Hey Fell, 50 at Lambrigg and a minimum of 47½ at Grayrigg summit. Times: to Milnthorpe 12 min 31 sec; to Oxenholme 18 m 11 s; to Lambrigg 24 m 2 s; and to Grayrigg 26 m 26 s with the length between posts 13 and 26 completed in 14 m 1 sec.

35018 was in good form at this stage and carried on to 65 at Low Gill and to 76½ passing post 31½ at the bottom of Shap with 73½ at Tebay, then 69½ at the top of the 1-in-146, 52½ at Scout Green, 43½ at Shap Wells and a minimum of 39½ in the summit cutting. Times: 28 min 11 sec to Low Gill; 31 m 50 s to Tebay, 34 m 35 s to Scout Green; and 37 m 56 s to the now smartened up summit sign. The Shap Time Trial section from post 31½ to 37¼ took 6 m 8 s and the full length from post 13 to 37¼ 25 m 11 s, a fine average of 57.8 mph and as far as I am aware the 15th best time in preservation, though it should be admitted that many of the quicker runs had heavier loads.

Downhill speed rose to 70 mph before Shap station, falling to 69 on the brief level through the station, then 74 at Harrisons sidings reduced to 65 afterwards with 77 down the 1-in-125 at Clifton, falling to 69½ at Eamont and 67 before Penrith, recovering to 76 at Plumpton and continuing down the varying gradients to Southwaite mainly between 73 and 76 mph before an easy approach to Carlisle. Times: 40 min 12 sec to Shap station; 41 m 48 s to Harrisons Sidings; 47 m 8 s to Eden Valley Junction; 49 m 54 s to Penrith; 53 m 55 s to Plumpton; 58 m 29 s to Southwaite; 60 m 30 s to Wreay; and 67 m 33 s to arrival at Carlisle, 13 minutes early on the schedule of 76½ minutes and the fifteenth fastest overall time of which I am aware.

With few other trains around the stock remained in platform 3 giving additional time for the locomotive to be turned and serviced and it was back in good time for a punctual restart. A fine acceleration on the 1-in-131 after Petterill bridge gave 41 mph at the top, increased to 50 on the level to Howes Sidings with speed on the 1-in-132 still 48 mph before Cotehill. Thus far the weather had been dry but cloudy, albeit with some patches of blue sky, but at this stage we ran into a heavy shower, and although this had no obvious effect on progress speed fell to 42½ on the next part of the climb before Low House crossing. Maximum before Armathwaite was 56 mph, followed by 47½ at the top of the climb through Baron Wood tunnels, 57 before and 55½ passing Lazonby, 58½.at Long Meg, 51½ at Langwathby, 58½ before Culgaith, 54 on the climb through Newbiggin, and 59 at Long Marton. Times: 10 min 39 sec to Cumwhinton; 12 m 14 s to Howes Sidings; 16 m 0 s to Low House; 18 m 11s to Armathwaite; 24 m 28 s to Lazonby; 29 m 9 s to Langwathby; 32 m 59 s to Culgaith; and 37 m 47 s to Long Marton.

There was no stop at Appleby, passed in 41 m 15 s at 49 mph leaving some rather disappointed ice cream sellers on the platform and some equally disappointed ice cream eaters on the train, though it has to be said that although the rain had practically ceased by then it was hardly ice cream weather, and in fact one of my fellow travellers went so far as to describe it as “autumnal”. 35018 was going well up the initial 1-in-100 with 55 mph approaching Helm tunnel, but unfortunately the locomotive slipped there and again in the tunnel and the remainder of the climb was taken more gently, with 41 mph at Griseburn, 36 at Crosby Garrett, 38½ at Smardale, 24½ at Kirkby Stephen recovering to 34 before Birkett tunnel inside which there was a further slip giving a minimum of 27½ before 37 on the easing past Mallerstang and a minimum of 28 at post 260. Times from Carlisle: to post 275 at Ormside 43 m 43 s; to Griseburn 47 m 18 s; to Crosby Garrett 50 m 43 s; to Kirkby Stephen 56 m 59 s; and to post 259¾ at Ais Gill 70 m 6 s. Thus the Blue Riband stretch between posts 275 and 259¾ took 26 minutes 22.4 seconds. It has to be reported that the summit sign at Ais Gill could do with the same treatment as given to that at Shap, and in addition is starting to be hidden by encroaching vegetation.

There seems no need for a detailed description of the remainder of the run down to Hellifield or on to Preston, but time to Garsdale was 73 m 55 s, to Dent 78 m 0 s, to Blea Moor 84 m 30 s, to Ribblehead 87 m 16 s, to Settle 98 m 12 s, to Settle Junction 100 m 24 s, to Long Preston 102 m 38 s, and to the water stop in Hellifield loop 106 m 42 s, schedule 112 minutes. Watering was completed quickly and the restart was 5 early. The most remarkable point about the gentle run on the restricted line to Clitheroe was that we got past Horrocksford with no check at all. After the usual slack at Whalley the rain set in again, and 35018 did well to take most of the climb to Wilpshire at a steady 25 mph until the engine was eased slightly early at the summit as I got a minimum of 23½. Times from Hellifield: to Horocksford 21 m 27 s; to Clitheroe 22 m 0 s; to Whalley 27 m 32 s; to Ramsgreave 36 m 55 s; to Blackburn 43 m 18 s; to Bamber Bridge 54 m 19 s; to Lostock Hall 56 m 34 s; and to platform 6 at Preston 65 m 39 s after a signal check, schedule 80 minutes so about 20 early.

Changing to the diesel locomotives and the brake conversion seemed to take rather a long time, but we were still 3 early on departure and about the same when I left the train at Heald Green, walking home from there. A successful day, many thanks to RTC for promoting the tour and to West Coast and crew for operating it.

 

The final CME in October is always the risky one as it's in the leaf fall season. The consist for Saturday is:

A Premier Class
B Premier Class
C Premier Class
D First Class
E First Class
F Standard Class/Buffet Car
G Standard Class
H Standard Class
J Standard Class

Load 11 including Kitchen Car and POB.

Rather hoped we'd get the Jubilee as we did in 2020 when there was no diesel involved with load 12. Sadly for the last 2 years we've had the slippery Southern Pacific on the front with OTT diesel assistance, though we did have the good fortune with the dodgy battery last year that got us an assistance free run from Carlisle to Hellifield.

Guess what we've got as the allocated locomotive?

Will try to find out what the plans are before Saturday.