Time for a Black Five gathering??

How about this for an idea. If David Smith especially and the locomotive owners could be persuaded, wouldn't a gathering of Black Fives at Carnforth make for a fantastic spectacle?

Fantasy wish list:- As many of the currently running black fives can attend with support from an 8F, Jub, Scot and maybe a Brit. Everyone who would like to go pays in advance for photo shoots and or normal attendance. Included in the price would be a run on the mainline around the Hellifield-Blackburn-Preston circuit. Basically 2 of the engines in use( engine changes possible), one going clockwise and one going anti clockwise doing two circuits each. 45305 could bring a charter in from somewhere.

I'm almost certain enough people would be prepared to pay to make this happen. It would probably have to be done in November or March given loco commitments.

What a thing it would be to evoke memories of 67/68 for thoses that remember and show what it was like for those that don't or wern't there.

As to the cost, not sure, what do people who know about these things think? How to organise it and ask the right people etc, that I havn't got a clue about. Maybe if Steam Railway or someone could get involved.

I think it would be brilliant anyway.

Cheerio

Mike

PS. feel free to move this if I've put the thread in the wrong place.

 

I'd love to see such a spectacle, however Carnforth wouldn't be an ideal place to host it. Yes, I know there are 3 or 4 black 5s stationed there for mainline work, but what of those that aren't mainline certified, e.g. 45337 and the one at the Watercress line? I would imagine they wouldn't be allowed on site.

 

Why wouldn't they be allowed? Is there no road access to Carnforth?

 

I say Carnforth, because its the only genuine late steam loco shed we have. It is asscoiated with Black fives and would prevent any costly ECS moves if something like this could be got off the ground. Easy access too for non mainline engines, many things go in and out by road. It does however belong to David Smith, so all this is ideal pie in the sky anyway unless the steam powers that be want it to happen.

 

It would be a great idea and place to have it. With 3 8Fs running, 1 Scot, 2 Brittanias and numerous Black 5s where else would you want to stage it?

 

Precisely - I doubt 45699 arrived at Carnforth via the mainline!

 

Agreed, good idea in principle but probably another setting... Barrow Hill maybe? Also gives you the bonus of shuttles on the demo line.

 

My view is still Carnforth, because it would be better for the Plandampf style Hellifield -Blackburn-Prestons, given that WCRC have the stock, men and engines and also that Rileys engines arn't far away. Carnforth also more of a history with those last great workings of steam like Target 47 etc.

 

And IF it happens, I will definitely make a visit from the Netherlands because it would be something NOT to miss!! So no Tornado, no Scotsman, no A4's. Just a line-up with Black 5's, 8f's, a Jubilee and a Scot and as a finishing touch a Brit.

No problem with paying around 40-50 pounds for this kind of Gala including a trip on the Hellifiel-Blackburn-Preston circuit with one of the steam engines.

Regards,
Vincent

 

well, I'm no expert of the trackbed at Carnforth, but I'm guessing its mainline standard rails. Non mainline locos like 5337 have flanges too deep for the points. If the non mainline ones did go there, they'd need to be sat in the loading siding all the time and unable to move around

 

Well, it's new one on me!

 

For clarity, are you saying that the yard at Carnforth is part of the national network (ie owned and maintained by Network Rail)? I wouldn't think it is...

 

I don't know -- i'm no expert. I don't follow mainline steam at all so was just assuming that Carnforth was mainline rails.

 

I would not be surprised if the majority of rail in Carnforth dates back to the 1960s or earlier - it is after all only a yard, without high speed operations. When it is not being used heavily, rail lasts an exceptionally long time.

 

Carnforths current rails were probably graced by 45337 in its BR days. This could be a once in a lifetime chance to re-create a late 60's North West steam shed. Carnforth was great in the 80's but it was all 4472, 4498 and 850 with the odd black five in LMS livery or GREEN. With so many BF's now in traffic surely it is an opportunity too good to miss.

 

You won't be able to recreate an NW 60s steam shed with 45337. She'll be in LMS black before too long

 

There is going to be something of a Black Five gathering on the NYMR at the start of the season - 45212, 45428, 44767, and hopefully 44871 & 45407 all there together at some point.

Unfortunately, there has been absolutely no promotion of this whatsoever!!!

 

Yeeesss!!! That makes me VERY happy! Perhaps the ELR will be able to do a mini LMS gala - 5337, 13065, any other possibilities?

 

Why would you not promote that. Grosmont would be my second choice of location.