The Scarborough Spa Express 2009

Cheers Stuart,another great shot from yourself,will have to try and get there at some point!

 

Got the best of both worlds yesterday. With so many booked, the staff coach was opened up to standard class passengers so was possible to be "up front" on the outward leg. Even better on the return as the support coach was left at the rear to act as a barrier vehicle so this meant that the leading Mk.2 on the return was right next to the loco. Ideal for sound recording.

 

Back to normal tonight with support coach on the front from Scarborough.
Excellent run. Actually got an unchecked run from York to Leeds.
Remained on the Leeds line through Colton S. Jc., 70 round the curve at Fenton then a minimum of 53 after Micklefield followed by speeds either side of 40 up to Horsforth.
I wasn't on this morning but everyone who was took great pleasure in telling me how much better the running had been. Don't you just hate it when they do that?

 

And of course you'll never know if they were telling the truth or just winding you up.
Monday's climb to Horsforth wasn't as good as yours as rain intervened and 13 started slipping so the driver had to ease back. A pity as the lower part of the climb was taken in fine style. We had a fine high speed run after the Kirkham curves and the acceleration away from York was excellent. Highlight for me was the restart from Micklefield Jct. It was stunning to say the least. May have been denied an unchecked run but the sound she made more than compensated.

 

One of the barstewards showed me his GPS record of the run so it was all true. It was much easier to assume exaggeration before all this technology!

I know exactly what you mean. Last night was the first unchecked run I've had although I've only been actually stopped there with the Jubilee & 45231.
The best noise was from 45407 on the first Thursday. We were going nicely up Leeds Bank until Mr. Blair decided to give us a run for our money and really opened up. It was spine tingling - but only as far as Micklefield when we caught up the stopper.
I have to say that the crews on the trains that I've travelled on this year have really entered into the spirit.
One more go for me with Mr. Walker on Thursday night and that's it for this year. I don't know if I should be hoping for a clear run or that start from the check at Micklefield...
We'll see!

 

Ah well, that's it for another year.
From what I've seen, they've done well this year; well loaded trains and happy passengers so, hopefully, we'll be having the same again next year.
One thing that has been particularly notable on the evenings out I've had is the enthusiasm of the crews. While I can always appreciate good enginmanship it's nice to get that bit extra!
I'm sure all the regular passengers will join with me in saying a big thank you to everyone involved, it's been really good!

 

Speaking to a steward just before I met you at Scarborough on Monday and he said it's a question of "when" not "if" they run again next year. He also said WCRC would like an earlier departure from Scarborough to give better connections at York for those who stay on for the full trip but NR haven't played ball so far.
It is an excellent day out with sections both of high speed running and noisy climbs for the enthusiast. I was pleased to see the number of families taking a day out too.

 

What do I do with my evenings now??

It has been a splendid few weeks and with a Cambrian and the Blackpool trip thrown in, it would just have been nice if summer had arrived too!

As we disembarked last night we made sure to thank our stewards, and Bob and to say that we hope it won't be another ten months before we travel with them again.

Haste ye back!

 

It's been a good summer for regular steam on the main line up north. Three SSEs a week plus a weekly Wednesday Fellsman, Saturday and Sunday CMEs, Friday Scarborough Flyer
and the Sunday NWCEs that ran. If only we could have a similar pattern down south. Looks like I will need to convince the other half we need a week in Yorkshire next summer if they all run again.

 

Went to see the SSE on Tuesday at Halton.
Oliver Cromwell was awesome.

Video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PQrAOGQod8

 

After that every thing else will be just an anti climax!

Creases me, bless him.

 

It will be interesting to see whether they manage to get that earlier departure from Scarborough next year. While most photographers would welcome it - and I was in that camp until recently - I have managed a number of shots this year that would not have been possible with earlier timings. A couple of favourites:

45407: http://richard5490.fotopic.net/p59921997.html
70013: http://richard5490.fotopic.net/p60547515.html

Plenty more for those who care to browse: http://richard5490.fotopic.net/c541259_1.html

 

Nice stuff Richard - makes up for being a rider when you see the results of concentrating on your photography, rather than getting just chance shots on occasional evenings, and majoring on getting shot blasted out of a droplight instead!

 

Truly memorable

Although I have not seen all the Spa Express operations, like others I think we are lucky to have such a service and variety of Loco's - many thanks to WCR and all involved. I managed to get a Leeds-Scarborough return trip in as well as a morning York-York loop and enjoyed every minute.

Not many pics to share but here are some links.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/goldsteam/sets/72157621781897098/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/goldsteam/sets/72157622055097148/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ex5yymqXH8M

Alan /Goldsteam

 

Some superb shots there Richard, refreshing to see someone who actualy uses the light available.

 

The wife and I had our first trip on the SSE last Wednesday, we thoroughly enjoyed the day out and was rounded off by the crew letting me cab Cromwell whilst it was sat at Scarborough. I would highly recommend it to anyone who hasn't done the trip yet.

 

Thanks for the comments, guys. Much appreciated.