The Great Britain XVI - 13/04/24 to 21/04/24

But...but... 'tis on t'interweb, so must be a real word...

 

All words start off as being made up.

 

Approaching and passing over the river Brock, a few minutes walk from home for me

 

44871 & 45407 near Forton.

 

Climbing out of Preston:

 

The 5s at Acton Bridge:

 

Day 2 approaching Lancaster

 

Ian Riley's Black 5's Nos. 44871 and 45407 'The Lancashire Fusilier' make for a fine sight and sound as they work the 'Great Britain XVI day 2 over the six arch bridge at Galgate on the approach to Lancaster with today's Drivers Mick Kelly and John Rogers with Firemen Andy Simpkin and Phil Akester

 

Nice to see a different unusual location.

 

Every Sunday afternoon Mrs W calls round to see her mother who lives nearby and so she would not be accompanying me on a trip out. In fairness she did offer, but some rituals are best left untouched. As the train was booked on the slow line from Balshaw Lane then the platform at Euxton Balshaw Lane was my chosen location. There is a risk, should the train be re-routed up the fast then there are no platforms and extremely limited views. The forecast was dry but cloudy; just what was required; if the sun shone it would be on the "wrong" side.

Mrs W left not long after lunch (salmon, broccoli and new potatoes) leaving me and Diego (cat) who was asleep upstairs. Having learnt my lesson I gave myself an extra five minutes in which to persuade him to wake up and go outside, which he did without complaint. The short journey to Euxton BL held no problems except the sun kept shining. Oh dear Oswald, if you are going to complain about the sun shining then shame on you! So I won't,. But it was. I parked on the station car park, gathered up my bits and pieces and made my way over to the far platform. There were a few people on the station but mainly in the middle of the platform, I chose the north end. When I was last here I used a smart phone for a going away shot and it got buffeted as the train hurtled past. This time I'd brought my bigger clamp that would allow me to clamp it to the gate post rather than a railing - we shall see. The numbers of casual watchers increased, a bit more zoom to keep them out of shot.

A check on RTT showed the train just south of Wigan, a few minutes later it and it was nearing Balshaw Lane. Without any warning white exhaust appeared in the distant trees. The locos were closing on the station at a pace as they reached the platforms 44871 gave a blast on its whistle, someone on the footplate gave a cheery wave to those watching. The locos sped by, under the bridge and away to the north with nothing from the 47. 11C, 2E & 59mph. A bit of vibration on the phone footage, but less pronounced (but the train was moving slower). What a pleasant way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

 

Here's my video of Day 2, as the train passes through Stafford running over 20 min early. The red signal at the platform end cleared as the train approached, so we were treated to wonderful sound effects from the Fives as they opened up.

 

The only decent bit of gradient I could find between Crewe and Lancaster. The climb from Wigan North West to Boars Head.

 

I think you mean Boars Head.

 

Two today from Millmeece and Moore.
As Spike already noted the morning sun disappeared progressively as the cloud built up towards midday.
But Black 5s on home ground, does it get better than that ?

 

Your second shot is a belter .

 

From RTC managing Director Kelly Osborne.

 

I suspect that's one of the general problems with timings - you can set a lower max speed to allow a bit of slack, but will never be able to account for a slower acceleration with steam...

 

Yes!

 

Sorry late in replying, busy weekend!

Yes thanks, view from top of Great Mongeham looking North East over Betteshanger towards Pegwell Bay and Ramsgate. Nice here unless the wind is howling!

 

Heritage Painting (who painted it) suggest its a new paint they are trying which seems to have better heat resistant qualities (from Facebook!)

Having worked there for several years I would definitely call Galgate an 'unusual location'!