Moorlands and City Railway

Aye, it was a good but wet day. I walked the bottom section up from Leekbrook and where the tamper has been the track looks fantastic. Lets hope the weathers better next wednesday.......

 

LMS 8F 8624 Going up the bank towards Cauldon Low

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VppypBBCZ3k

 

how far up the line did you go to?

 

8F 8624 with 4 coaches and 37075 on back.....IMPRESIVE!!!

 

well we walked up just past the bridge to photograph and film it but we believe it went up just short of the crossing at Apesford

 

It was just a crew /training exercise to get the crews used to the the gradients and route knowlege. It went up to Apesford crossing twice and back with different crews and I'm sure that there will have to be more before they are allowed to take the general public to Cauldon. The people in the carriages I'm assured were MPD and support teams.

 

Yep it was CVR / 8624 people only onboard, and it was 2 different crews for each trip. Either way though, doesn't get away from the it sounded good. Video from front droplight to follow ;-)

 

A big step forwards starting crew training ready for the 13th of November. The condition of the track is supurb. That tamping machine has done a fantastic job. Onwards to Cauldon we go!

 

Is it going on you tube? n when?

 

When I can remember how to work my mums camcorder. I forgot it uses MOD and MOI files which are a pain to work with. Once I've sorted it I'll upload it, all 18mins of the climb from Leekbrook to Apesford.

 

Ahh right okay, be looking forward to seeing it soon I have also heard that the 8F is out today running test runs (4/10/10)

LMS 8F 8624 with class 37075 on the rear (3/10/10) around 6:20 near Bridge 2 on The Cauldon Lowe Line. Click on image for full size


Class 37075 on Ballast Runs (2/10/10)

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKL0cM-gjmM

 

Theres a few Youtube vids from Sunday which is good, Nice video link Gav

 

This is a great onboard video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3J-JqIUTnzc

Is there anything (in terms of infrastructure) at Caldon Low, or is it simply a case of reversing back down the line? How will the level crossing at Apesford be managed during the gala?

 

There are some loop(s)/sidings at Caldon Low but I believe for this gala non will be commissioned. Top & Tailed trains will simply reverse back down the line.

I believe Apesford will have a crossing keeper to keep trains moving throughout. The gradient has mellowed to a leisurely 1-in-59 by that point! I don't see why it couldn't be train crew operated however - perhaps at quieter times?

 

Great to see such fast progress on the MCR. Still plenty to do with drainage though!
As a side note, what has happened to 8624? She seems to be leaking steam from everywhere and only a year into service. I worked on her restoration back at Peak Rail and I know the guys will be more than a little worried. Seems the firemans side injector is leaking and possible cylinder pressure release valves and packing?
Good to hear her bark though. Great work to all involved with the MCR and 8624.

 

Did a line walk today to check the line from Apesford to Leekbrook to check it after the 8F had been running up and down during the driver training. Nothing major had occurred a few keys out, one or two fishplates required tightening but what really impressed me was the job the tamper had done. The track looked 100% better, the kinks were straightened and he hump on bridge 5 had disappeared. I rode the train Sunday and was surprised by the smoothness of the track and now having walked the 3 1/2 miles in my big waterproof jacket ( the forecast was rain not brilliant sunshine) I could see why. Well done to all who have worked on the track, roll on the next 4 miles.

 

I think you will find there is alot of steam around the bottom ov the loco due to the fact the sanders were on all the way from leekbrook to where it stopped at apesford crossing

 

ooowwwwwwwww I hurt!