Fellsman 2024

Some great light in the Ribble Valley for the returning Fellsman on 5/6/2024.
A4 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley passing the foot crossing at Barrow,near Whalley

David Price
Cop Lane on Flickr

 

Selside Shaw and Ais Gil

 

Life got in the way of doing this yesterday, but I've finally got the video done, Lunds & Birkett.

 

A4 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley in a lucky patch of light in the Ribble Valley with the northbound working on 3/7/2024

David Price

 

60007 at Selside

 

Return Fellsman, shortly after leaving Carlisle, 3 July 2024.

 

With a moody looking Pen-y Ghent as the backdrop, A4 class No. 60007 'Sir Nigel Gresley' speeds through Selside with the northbound 'Settle & Carlisle Fellsman' 1Z71 from Blackpool to Carlisle



Typical S&C weather at Greengates as No. 60007 'Sir Nigel Gresley' works the return leg of the 'Settle & Carlisle Fellsman' 1Z72 towards Aisgill and back to Blackpool

 

60007 passing over Crosby Garrett Viaduct with the return service

 

60007 seen from Selside Cottages and Stockber.



Just a note, It was 86 year ago today that another famous blue locomotive broke the world speed record for a steam locomotive.

 

The Seside shot is impressive. Have you digitally removed any cars and people? It’s normally well populated there.

 

Great stuff Nige...good to chat earlier!

 

The weather just adds to the drama, Shep!

 

I'm just out of shot on the opposite side of the road,

 

Idris lad, if you look closer you can see your head, hair unmistakeable

 

Thanks David, it was nice to see you today and have a chat.

 

NO

 

Sir Nigel running smartly north at Lunds this morning, and later slogging up the final stretch at Ais Gill on wet rails in absolutely foul weather that had closed in a couple of hours earlier.

 

Quite a few years ago I stood on the up platform at Ramsgreave and Wilpshire station and watched as 60009 snarled up the bank with 12 or 13 coaches and at a fair old speed. I was standing about a yard from the platform edge and the sight and sounds were almost scary. If I recall correctly Ron Smith was driving, I got a wave from Ron and a blast on the chime whistle from No 9. It is something that will always stay in my memory. As today's weather wasn't up to much I thought that with the help of No 7 I would try and capture something similar on video.

It started raining in the late afternoon but by about 6pm it had stopped and a possibly drier evening forecast. Mrs W didn't offer to come along so if it rained I was it, cameraman and umbrella holder, if it needed to be carried from the car that was also down to me. I set up on the platform, my heavy duty tripod and with the external mic moved from on top of the camera to a leg of the tripod - Oswald was as ready as ever he would be. RTT had not yet shown any times beyond Hellifield but following a short wait it showed that SNG had left Clitheroe 3E. The service train was long gone so it was a clear road ahead. Quite a few people had made their way onto the opposite platform including several excited young children.

After a few minutes there was some exhaust chatter in the distance followed quickly by the unmistakable head on view of an approaching A4. Plenty of white exhaust headed skywards and was caught in the trees. (Should white exhaust be visible on a July evening? - not usually, but such is this year's weather.) There was plenty of noise as Sir Nigel drew nearer, on a roll I gestured for a blast on the chime and got two (and a wave) - Thanks. The fireman must have stuck some coal on as the white exhaust turned darker - lovely! Much too soon No 7 sped past, followed by the "blood & custards" and the smart liveried "Black 57". 14C, 5E & 25mph. If not quite the awesome spectacle of No 9 it will most certainly do!

 

Sunshine at Gregson Lane, improving skies at Helwith Bridge & summer at Ais Gill!


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Phil

 

Greengates and Langho. Sun deciding to dissapear right on cue at Langho