WCME/CME 2024

Lovely photos Shep.

 

Seeing all these photos and videos of a 'Black 5' reminds me that 56 years ago tonight, Saturday 3rd August 1968, I was packed like a sardine in the front coach of the very last steam hauled passenger service train on British Railways, the 21-25 from Preston to Liverpool Exchange hauled by 'Black 5' number 45318.
If someone had said that night that in the year 2024 it would still be possible to see steam storming over Shap or indeed anywhere else on the mainline they would have been laughed off the station!
It's wonderful that we have so much today.

 

Big news first, Diego has learned a magic trick - he can make himself disappear! Yesterday he was mooching around downstairs at around 10 o'clock but half an hour later despite Mrs W and I scouring the house from top to bottom there was no sign of him (and he is a cat of ample proportions). We decided that as the rear door had been open he must have "gone over the wall." It's a high wall and this seemed improbable given his athleticism (or lack of it) but was the only conclusion that we could draw. Anyway, mid-afternoon he strolled into the kitchen looking for a snack, we have not a clue - nothing new there, then!

Back to the trains, I was put off watching the northbound leg by the transformer move, in the thirty-odd years that I worked in the electricity supply industry I saw enough transformers to last me a lifetime. Next, I was stymied by the change to the route - no Wilpshire Bank! If I wanted to see the five working it would have to be Aisgill but I didn't fancy four hours of driving. Perhaps Settle Jn followed by the diesel returning up Giggleswick; a bit of a poor man's version of the old two leg southbound CME, when it was a big 'un over the S&C and a little 'un back to Carnforth. I finally chose, Long Preston (both ways) then a quick re-locate to see 44871 & brake head off to York.

An uneventful journey in light traffic, the highlight was being passed on the A59 by a Lotus Europa with a stunning JPS paint job (black with gold lining). I parked on the station car park about 30 mins before the train was due and headed to the far platform; only 20yds away but a circuitous walk of about 250yds. RTT showed the trains progress, a little early. The sun shone with only the occasional cloud. As the time drew nearer a big cloud drifted in front of the sun - hey ho! The rails started to ring and shortly afterwards 44871 appeared, drifting towards the station looking immaculate. She slid by and as the coaches passed the sun came out of hiding - hey ho, again! 19C, 4E & 33mph.

A stroll to the other end of the platform to wait for the return, should be all of 30 mins. The sun was now shining. 57.314 Conwy Castle, the diesel that had been on the rear of the train, was now on the front and appeared in the distance and made good progress towards the station. Silly old Oswald that I am, I waved to the driver and got a "parp- parp" back - thanks. 19C, 3L & 43mph. A good, if not spectacular way to spend an afternoon. Now off to see if I can catch the LE move.

 

I was on the 20.50 Preston - Blackpool that night, also packed in like sardines, hauled by 45212. I could never in a million years have guessed that 56 years later I would be Train Manager on today's 12.50 Jacobite service from Fort William to Mallaig hauled by the very same 45212. What a lucky generation I was born into as an enthusiast. August 68 was the end of the world as many of us knew back then but look what has risen from the ashes of those days. Long may it continue.

Peter

 

A hot Sunday afternoon on 11th August 1968 and as I watched Oliver Cromwell leaving Carlisle, passing Durran Hill signal box light engine after the departure of the 15 Guinea Special behind 44781 & 44871, I thought that was the last time ever that I would see a steam loco on BR metals. That lone Brit, with the signalman standing on his veranda watching it pass, is etched on my memory forever.

 

Mine too, but at Ais Gill. Many of us who had been there to see the two black fives on the "last" train stayed to see Cromwell on its way to Bressingham, and stood in silence for a little while after it passed.
We thought British steam would be down to a handful of very short branch lines, and wondered if they'd last very long given the costs, objectors, official obstruction, Councils wanted to demolish bridges etc.
Would never have believed what happened.

 

Into the Gorge

 

2nd class must not be selling well for this weekends (24th August) CME just received an offer of £50 off standard fare!!!

 

Only got nine on too Clan Line won't be working hard apart from Sapperton

 

yes it looks like he has

 

I was quite surprised to get a "£50 off standard class accommodation" e-mail from RTC yesterday for Saturday's Cumbrian Mountain Express?

 

RTC website says extra seats added in standard. Presumably the maroon set is still up north then.
May not imply not selling well just that they would like to sell the extra seats.

 

Docker at lunchtime today. Don't mention the coaching stock

 

34067 at Shap Wells and Crosby Garrett .

 

Working today's 'Cumbrian Mountain Express' 1Z30 to Carlisle SRBB class No. 34067 'Tangmere' puts on a fine display with David Blair driving, Robbie Ellis on the shovel and Roly Parker Guard, the crew will also work the return working. The smell
from the exhaust was worth the trip out on its own.



My personal cloud once again turns up at the wrong moment as No. 34067 'Tangmere' approaches Aisgill summit with the return leg of the 'Cumbrian Mountain Express' 1Z33 to Crewe

 

Belting shot at Carnforth Shep .

 

A bit of a mixed day, plenty of cloud but with the odd sunny interval, still cool and still breezy - BUT (and wait for it) it didn't rain! I couldn't get out for the northbound leg this morning but in the afternoon my time was very much my own . . . Mrs W & Oswald Jnr were off to the football (another win!) and decided to walk, a round trip of a little over 7 miles and wouldn't be back home until around 6.30pm. Diego is still not back from his holidays, so it was just me and the test match (also won). I did my best to come up with a different location, but a combination of sun position, if it happened to be shining, being late in the day and late in the year coupled with soggy ground conditions and a stiff breeze persuaded me to stay with the safe option - R&W station.

I intended going on the road bridge but when I arrived there were a dozen or so youths hanging around on the bridge so I went down onto the platform. A few minutes later they wandered off - typical! The train had left Hellifield at 17.30 (1L) and was due at R&W at 18.20. With a clear road and a generous allowance (and a diesel on the back) it might arrive considerably earlier. Another check showed Clitheroe pass 17.52 (7E). The brief sunny intervals appeared to have gone for now. Nothing to do but wait and listen for any sounds of an approaching train; with Tangmere on the front and a stiff breeze blowing from left to right I was not hopeful.

A few minutes later, with no auditory warning Tangmere appeared from the trees on the curve at the old Wilpshire station. There was little or no lift of the white exhaust that came from her wide chimney but she was moving at speed, obviously not "all her own work". In very little time she was thro' the platforms and away towards the summit with her coaches in tow?! On the rear was 57314 Conwy Castle, "pushing like a good 'un!" 14C, 17E & 41mph. Ah well, it could've been worse, just think it might have been a diesel on the front?!

 

34067 seen from Shap Wells and Crosby Garrett.

 

Video of Tangmere at Carlisle , 2 mins 25 in, shows 57314 dragging 34067 out of the station, without the driving wheels rotating.