Scarborough Spa Express 2010

I woud guess the reason the Leeds stop is omitted is that the "Hall" is out of guage for the platform roads at Leeds or maybe the fact it would be limited to 60mph between Leeds and York, or both. I would imagine the Woodlesford stop is a replacement for Leeds via a local service train connection. Obviously by using their own engine no loco hire fees will be involved so WCR can run the train at minimal cost and keep fares to a minimum. This combined wth the rostering of 5972 and with free and discounted tickets available for children illustrates that this years train is clearly aimed at the family market, not the enthusiast.

 

46115 fit and healthy again with a dose of sunshine as well.....

http://www.stuartbrown.me.uk/cpg/displayimage.php?pos=-1602

wish somebody would buy that fireman a hat! :biggrin1:

 

The fireman (Pete Hanson, I believe) appears to be wearing a knotted handkerchief - perfectly authentic (albeit not, perhaps, the regulation headgear).

 

Correct ! Close friend of mine from our Steamtown days never wore anything else (on his head) - including the years he was a fireman on the main line @ Edge Hill.

 

46115 heading away from Carnforth today http://philmetcalfe.fotopic.net/p66035777.html

 

Anyone know if the Hall is still planned to run in August ?

 

A couple more from near Clapham and at the pond outside Hellifield

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4121/4810248978_ca1ba1c699_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4139/4810248508_6e8a3e29ba_b.jpg

 

Now lets watch passenger numbers rise a bit,not as a good a route but the loco more than compensates! Just a pity i work evenings and its usually gone before i wake up!

 

I sooo much wish 46115 or a Black 5 will be hauling the train when the missus and I visit York in the first week of September, I'd much rather have these locos than that "mickey mouse" engine that is Hogwarts Castle.

 

46115 down to haul Cath. Exp. over the S & C on the Thursday.

 

Thanks for the info. Just looked on the Steam Dreams website and 46115 departs Doncaster at 9:30am, so the missus and I will have to get an early train from York down there. If she doesn't like an early start tough!:blabla: I've never seen 46115 so I'm not gonna miss this opportunity. This will more than make up for it if Hogwarts Castle is on the Scar. Spa Express.

 

You could let the missus have a lie in and join the train at Leeds at 10.15 instead. By the way, I think I've read somewhere that 46115 joins/leaves the train at Hellifield, so it will be diesel-hauled at Doncaster and Leeds.

 

Sounds like the same Pete Hanson who was a colleague of mine (before he retired from his second career). He was also a driver on the NVR and NYMR.

Would you pass on my regards John?

 

Train looked very, very empty this morning when it past us at Fairburn Ing & Whitwood Junction near Methley. Hopefully it'll have picked up a fair few on it's final stop at York. I'll upload the video after the return this evening.

 

I thought that would be you making all the noise up on the bridge at Fairburn, nice weather for it though. :rain:

 

Didn't do the shot you emailed me about Stuart, tried a different one across the Aire Bridge. Wasn't anything special, the light was awful. I noticed when driving along that it may be possible to do something from the road up at the top looking down across the water and line. I'm going to stop and have a look if i'm passing this week.

 

Train looked extremely empty,were there ANY passengers in first class??

If i can find the time i might go for a ride this week,would much prefer it to go the route through Pontefract though,at least there is a climb,this route has nothing,at all except about a 1/4 mile up to Kirkgate!!

My shot from Sherburn is up here:


http://mark-walker.fotopic.net/p66048676.html

Cheers,
Mark

 

It did look very empty Mark, I saw people in only a couple of coaches and even then they were very limited amounts. As you say there's nothing to shout about on this route, which is a real shame.

I'm just looking at locations now for tonight, and so far i've come up with a foot crossing near Church Fenton and a location at Burton Salmon. It's a real shame that the train doesn't reverse on itself on the loop as then at least you'd have a bit more a climb out of Leeds. I didn't realise this till this morning as I had a perfect shot I wanted to do tonight.

I remember coming away from the SSE Day 1 last year, a very happy boy indeed with 45407 whistling it's way over Knaresborough Viaduct and racing through Church Fenton, I don't know why i've bothered today with this new route... I really do hope they change back routes next year...

 

I just hope west coast havent burnt their boats Simon, as it doesn't sound like this year is going very well with empty trains. The inclusion of Scots Guardsman may improve things, but its early days. Just hope plans for another summer of SSE's next year dont get scrubbed out if the current situation continues.