WCME/CME 2024

34067 with the late running returning CME at Low Baron Wood whilst on a tsr, 27.01.24.

 

Tangmere at a murky, cold, wet and windy Shap Wells:

 

Sideways rain at Salterwath was a bit desperate to say the least...

Tangmere on the Winter CME

Much calmer at Langwathby. The train was crawling along at maybe 15 to 20 mph at a guess with the diesel appearing to be idling...

Tangmere at Langwathby

 

Update, actually did get to hear a small amount of muffled "thrash" as we started along the S&C and a bit more after starting from a dead stand at Whalley. The later was soon spoilt by a rapid acceleration which indicated that rather more than 3 cylinders were in use.

 

You obviously haven’t heard a Bulleid in original condition being worked really hard. My tape recording of 34057 accelerating away from a 20 tsr at Weybridge with 11 on the 530 pm down and passing Woking at 70 mph in 1966 is mind boggling and one of my best tapes. Not to mention 34102 passing Fleet at 98 mph before 100 soon after.

 

I don’t think late running made a lot of difference. Stick a DL on the back with 11 and it’s bound to push. Listening to the video clips looks like Tangmere had an easy day, possibly half regulator and 30% cut off if that.

 

34067 at a wet Shap Wells and Kirkby Stephen.

 

I think again the wider point being missed here.

If they drive Tangmere around hard, work it hard every trip, they will soon not have an air braked steam loco to use! I don’t see why they’d want to make lots of noise, push the loco and increase the risk of wear, tear and failure, when they have one loco capable of the work currently.

Maybe 2024 will be the year of softly, softly and provide everyone with steam, in order to get the Vac Braked MK1s ready.

 

Happy to be corrected, but I'm sure I have read that WCRC has no operational genny car so while we are stuck with this rake of Mk2D's diesel is inevitable.

 

Possibly. Though I would draw less favourable conclusions about such a need, and also the vulnerability of a locomotive being used rather than nursed.


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But in any case Tangmere is not 46115. Would you let Tangmere out unassisted to go up Shap, Ais Gill and particularly Wilpshire with eleven on in January? Has Tangmere actually run unassisted since returning to main line duties? It is what it is--not ideal.

 

Well that in itself is the other thing. Wasn’t it BIL that went unassisted last year round the Cumbrian Coast and stalled?

 

CME still stuck at Preston having been there over an hour. More trouble with 86259?

 

Probably not. But the argument wasn't being made about fitness for the duty so much as conserving the locomotive.

 

Points failure. Loco in one platform, stock in another.

 

34067 at Shap Wells the photographer and gear getting some much needed protection in the woods from the SW wind and rain. View attachment 82228

 

Poor punters look to be still stuck at Preston .

 

I can see the point but in normal times the superb Jubilees were thrashed to the limit at times producing some incredible runs. For me
these were the best CMEs. On the one occasion a Bulleid was worked as it should be 35018 produced a sub even time run with power to spare

 

Looks like there are all sorts of problems at Preston with many trains cancelled or very delayed