LE movements, ECS and test runs 2025

Morning, 46115 moving to Kidderminster today. Any view on whether it's planned to be dragged or pulling itself (seemingly rare sight for a steam loco recently)?

 

I heard that there will be a diesel on the front - red fire risk.

 

Thanks appreciate the info, suspected as much. Will give it a swerve in that case.

 

left carnforth diesel on rear 46115 leading

 

Apologies for duff info.

 

No worries at all - I'll see if I can see it this afternoon

 

4th July 2025 46115 Scots Guardsman Engine Move

46115 at Forton heading south this morning

 

I nearly didn't bother watching the move as a very reliable source informed me that there would be a diesel on the front, seems he was wrong-footed by 10A; something that 10A do to us all from time to time. How's about this for 10A's next sleight of hand, "Here's a rake of Mk1s with CDL, surprise, surprise", I wish! Anyway, on the basis that SG is always worth a look I decided to go. Three problems; I had to be home by 12.30 (no I wouldn't turn into a pumpkin), if a diesel was on the front I really wanted a side on location but these are few and far between close to home. The third was that SG was booked on the fast line from Preston but then the slow from Farington Jn, this made my "go to" location of Leyland dodgy. I opted for Flag Lane at Lostock Hall with its view north towards Farington Curve Jn. Even if 46115 came down the slow line there would still be a shot.

I made a quick and uneventful trip to Flag Lane and straight off to the road bridge only to find that it was exposed to the blustery northwesterly breeze (sorry for the wind noise). The sun and clouds were playing their own version of the "hokey cokey" with the clouds (cokey) putting decidedly more in and increasingly covering the sun. This was not a bad thing as the sun still hadn't crossed from east to west and, when the sun did shine, my side was in shadow.

After a late departure from Carnforth N Jn (9L), SG was running late 10L at Garstang and this remained much the same to Preston. Would this affect the path south? No was the answer, 46115 left Preston 8L. As I waited the NT train to York headed south then curved off towards Blackburn, its wheels clattering on the jointed rail. A few seconds later SG appeared and, on the front and, on the fast line. As the Scot grew closer a grey haze was visible but was merely drifting from her chimney. The train sounded like a tractor, as it would with the 37 on the rear providing all the propulsion. With the fire risk at red, this was exactly as it should be but at least Scots Guardsman was on the front. 7L & 19C, the sun shone and the wind blew and Oswald was home at 12.22 only to find that Maisie had pinched his armchair. I would like to say that Maisie isn't spoiled - but she is!

 

Passing Stourbridge Junction, minus the tail gunner.

 

Tail gunner was left at Stafford to lead 45212 up to Crewe. With 60532 turning that was 3 locos in steam at Crewe today.

 

37706 has piloted 45212 from Stafford to Crewe Heritage Centre.

 

Do we know if 60163 be running unassisted from carnforth to york with the ECS tomorrow

 

Positioning move of Diesel locos from the Severn Valley to the Watercress Line on Thursday 10th July:
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U58257/2025-07-10/detailed

Sent from my XQ-BT52 using Tapatalk

 

Interesting to note that the timings of when the Diesels going to Watercress are going over the Great Western Mainline at potentially similar timings to Britannia's railtour out of Paddington that day.

Naturally could be very wrong with this, no timings on real time trains for Britannia's railtour or route confirmation so we'll have to wait and see if there's a chance they'll pass each other.

 

And to Carnforth Steamtown Sat night. AN

 

Piloted by a uid 47. AN

 

47826.

 

I believe this is likely to be 60163 ahead of the White Rose the next day, this will provide the first steam on East West Rail since its reopening
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U58098/2025-07-11/detailed

 

It will be a busy few days for the support crew of 60163, returning from a private charter in Scotland just 12 hours before the move south.