Lune Rivers Trust - 30/09/23

Timings now out, any indication as to what is rostered for the trip yet?
Outward
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U55031/2023-09-30/detailed
Return
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U55032/2023-09-30/detailed

 

Whatever engine it is according to the Website steam comes on at Crewe .

 

There is no separate path showing on RTT for move between Carnforth and Crewe on Saturday

 

46115 heading south through Hartford this morning in charge of The Lune Rivers Trust charter to Stratford-upon-Avon.



Cheers,

 

46115 at Burrow Bridge and Oubeck loops .

 

Today was a rare chance to see 2 steam hauled specials before 10am and, being a strike day, with no service trains to get in the way. Up early and it was a dry day with a chance of some early morning sunshine. There was little or no wind and there had been a heavy overnight dew. I made my way over to Leyland station, parked, paid my £1. (The contractors still have a compound that occupies a fair percentage of the car park as their seemingly never-ending works to extend the platforms continues). The train was pathed to run on the slow line, but with the strike might it be switched to the fast? The sun was struggling to peep through the thin cloud so I opted for the platform on the down slow line and crossed my fingers that it would run on the slow.

There was no-one else on the platform, from the southern end there was a possible very long zoom to capture the approaching train. A few minutes later a guy in an orange dayglow jacket appeared and hung about at the north end of the platform. He wandered about, at best a vivid distraction and at worst completely blocking the planned shot - hey ho! A second guy arrived, more somberly dressed - but that proved to be it.

The train was running a few minutes late and left Preston 8L, across Ribble Jn and RTT continued to show SL; RTT can be unreliable so fingers remained crossed. Soon in the far distance there was a glimpse of steam. The Tango Man got excited and leaned out from the platform edge as he peered to the north - an action he repeated several times. There was plenty of visible exhaust. Approaching on a long straight it is often difficult to judge speed, but as she got nearer there was no doubt that she was motoring. She flashed past in a flurry of steam, a fleeting glimpse of perhaps Martyn Soames by the fireman's window. The train shot by and on the back 47.804 making a loud diesel growl. 10C, 8L & 60mph.

So far so good, next step off for a bacon butty and a brew before heading to Euxton Balshaw Lane for The Lakelander. Whilst eating my butty I checked RTT for news of LSL's train - oh dear! A problem! A further check on NP revealed that The Lakelander wouldn't be hereabouts any time soon (if at all) - thanks for the updates. With that Oswald drank up and returned home. Thanks for the entertainment and I hope that LSL manage to salvage something for their passengers and hope that those travelling by steam today have a great day out.

 

https://studio.youtube.com/video/PQAWtZu7ja0/edit

46115 heads south out of Lancaster with the Lune Rivers Trust

 

46115 heads the Lune Rivers Trust south of Lancaster

 

46115 at Penkridge at 10:30 having recovered 16 of the 35 minute late departure from Crewe, alas somewhat after the last of the weak sunshine had disappeared leaving an almost featureless grey sky.

Saturday is market day at Penkridge and I did manage to improve the day by getting 3 small Acers and a Lavender for all of £12.

 

A couple of miles north of the above shot sees the Scot racing along at Swan Lane, Dunston with plenty of help from the rear (presumably to make up lost time).

 

46115 Scots Guardsman with The Lune Rivers Trust and 57601 Windsor Castle with The Northern Belle near Galgate:

 

My footage of 46115 racing through Henley-in-Arden on the return leg of the Lune Rivers Trust Special.

 

A day of rear end assistance it seems. What a shame.

 

Most of these have always ran up North and we've been spoilt in the past. I get that this a charity train with very little enthusiasts I but didn't expect the excursion to be a full top & tail operation.

 

Well how would you have turned the train around at Stratford on Avon?

 

Without wishing to get into the diesel on back debate, Stratford has been a popular steam excursion destination for years. The stock normally stays in the platform, the loco runs round and runs light engine to Hatton and turns on the triangle, before running tf back to Stratford.

We are also now into leaf fall season and this is always a long train to maximise income, probably had a bearing on things too.

 

Not entirely sure why it’s a shame. Leaf fall season, hefty train, lost time and trying to make it back in places. Very sensible from WCRC, who normally do all they can to keep the diesel off the back.

 

I stand corrected...