Central Wales Explorer April 5th

Anyone know what the loaded record is for a single Black Five ?

 

I have travelled (in BR days) behind 44852 on the Waverley with 10 coaches over the S&C (August 1962) and I believe (4)5305 made some prodigious runs with the RTC Cumbrian Mountain during 2013 when loaded to 12 coaches IIRC.

 

I have seen a couple of tours hauled by 45305 with 11 on, The Mersey Moorlander over the S&C in August 2012 and the 15 Guinea last year coming out of Lime Street.

 

There is no point comparing the S&C to the Central Wales line, lots of twists an turns and gradients of 1in60 and 1 in80.
42968 stalled on the Sugar Loaf with 8=9 at Cynghordy and this was rescued when Alun Rees took the regulator nevertheless it was a massive slog, this can be seen on PSOV Oct 1997.
48773 and 48151 have hauled the heaviest trains southbound both with 11 on.

Cheers Dave

 

5407 took 13 from Skipton to Carnforth on 29 July 1981.

 

I am just thankful that it wasn't a WCRC loco that failed. It's likely that the Internet would have been broken by the fury on here that they had allowed a loco out without a mainline test that subsequently failed.

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Reading elsewhere & looking at RTT it seems the tour started nearly an hour late in the first place due to a points problem at Castleton delaying the two 5's.

 

Was that the only time she took 13? I was on the CME on the 15th July of that year and I recall a similar hefty load. The sound going up Giggleswick bank was awesome.

 

I wouldn't say that fury is ever an appropriate response when a mainline loco fails, but rather, sadness. It's usually very disruptive for the passengers on board and naturally disappointing for the loco owners(s). Whether it be West Coast, Ian Riley, Tyseley or whoever, I'm so thankful for any loco owner who is willing to invest the time and money to ensuring that the marvellous spectacle of main line steam can be enjoyed in the UK in the 21st Century.

It's a fact that some locos and some owners have shown better reliability than others, and the Riley Black Fives stand alongside Clan Line and the Tyseley fleet in the very top league here, but the bottom line is that even with a first class maintenance régime, ther's no such thing as perfect loco. However, I'm sure that 45407 will be sorted out soon and back to its usual superb level of performance before long.

 

Don't know about the 15th as I'd be at work that day. The 29th was the day of the royal wedding and we had the day off!

 

No complaints heard from those on board about the decisions made. Lots of calls made at Crewe to sort arrangements which led to the most logical decision of a box on the back to assist. As standard class was at the front of the formation all the way round we could barely hear the diesel at all but had some wonderful noise up the hills from the Black 5. There is no way it would have made it up four consecutive miles of 1 in 60 on wet rails with 12 on without assistance. We were two hours late crossing onto the Heart of Wales line at Craven Arms, so the fact that we arrived back at Crewe this evening 10 minutes early shows a fantastic effort from all involved.

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Couple of shots from the tour - first one climbing away from Knucklas and second one climbing past Sugar Loaf halt towards the summit, that is just north of the tunnel. The disused 'up' platform is visible in the foreground.

 

I like the first one. Would look even better in sun.

 

Anyone know what the problem with 45407 is? ? I am booked on next Saturdays trip over the central Wales line and am wondering whether we'll also have a diesel helping out. Is 45407 likely to be fixed and down to Cardiff in time?

 

Well according to RTT it got back to Bury ok so I would hope it isn't too big a problem and they can get it back down south this coming week. I am sure I Riley will pull out all the stops.

 

Now with sound?

 

Just out of interest, what is actually classed as a locomotive failure? In the case of 45407, after the amount of work that's been done on it over the last few weeks, you take it out there and realise it's not quite right do you pull it and take it back to Bury as a precaution or carry on and risk doing some damage?

A sensible decision and great work by the crews, control and signallers to get the train back on time. 44871 still did plenty of work believe me and since overhaul is now a real gem.