Dalesman 2023

I forgot to mention an unexpected treat as Galatea roared through the station at Horton in R - a right old peppering with cinders!

 

No mention of the smell off the exhaust young Whistle, nasal problems?

 

The old snout is working ok (I think) but the stiff wind had all the sulphurous aromas up and away into the hills leaving us with a cascade of the heavy bits.

 

Galatea as "the steam on the back", that different Ralph

 

A great show from Gala Leone Nige! Excellent video..

 

Nope extra dead weight to drag around whats not to like.

We aren't as easily upset as you beard and Sandall kettle lovers

 

I really appreciate steam locos as I do preserved diesels. I simply prefer them not to be on the same train. <BJ>

 

46115 leaving Lancaster.

 

46115 at Brock

 

Part of Monday was spent getting ready for Tuesday's day out on the Pendle Dalesman. Tuesday was a splendid day with a ride behind Scots Guardsman, one of my favourite locos. All of Wednesday was taken up downloading and analysing GPS data then writing an account of our "Grand Day Out" only to find when I had finished (about 8.30pm) that Nat Pres had crashed. [It doesn't usually take me that long but I spent all morning trying to find where I had "lost" a second. It might only be a second to you, but as Paul Daniel's said, "Every Second Counts".] Today I had to wear a different hat, one that doesn't fit just as well, I was off to video a steam train.

I was a bit late leaving home and got stuck behind a few slow moving vehicles but I had just enough time to call in at Hellifield to see what was simmering in the loop. It was the Jubilee with all the names, but today Matthew it was going to be, "Sierra Leone". Up onto the platform where I had a brief chat with Idris (@Bodorganboy) who was just heading off to Horton.

Sierra Leone's tender was just being topped up (to overflowing). The "Dream Team" were on the footplate, Mick Kelly and Martyn Soames (same as Tuesday's return trip). A brief chat with Mick and then it was time to head north. Stainforth was a possibility, but as I approached I was put off by the number of walkers wandering about; the last time I went on the bridge a passer-by insisted on asking directions whilst I was recording - once bitten . . . The reserve is always Horton in Ribblesdale, Idris had said that he was going to the south end of the platform, I'm always happy with the north end.

I set up at the bottom of the platform ramp (a permitted location) and waited. I didn't want any nonsense caused by a late running Carlisle-Leeds (due to stop 4 mins before the steam was due); thankfully, it came and went. The steam was 2L at Settle Jn and despite the best efforts of Messrs. Soames and Kelly was likely to drop a few minutes on the climb. There was intermittent sunshine but mainly cloud.

Then a distant roar, growing louder; a fresh breeze from the west did little to help carry the sound towards us. Some smoke, a whistle and SL rounded the curve, hurling her exhaust high into the air before it was swept away to the east. She roared through the station, Martyn with his elbow resting on the window sill. A young man was standing behind him, Martyn had said that he was training three young fireman - possibly one of them. The carriages sped by and SL roared off into the distance, and roared and continued to roar long after she had disappeared from view. 17C, 6L & 30mph.

That's it for steam - until Saturday. Tomorrow Oswald and Mrs W have a date with Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, cue music.

 

Armathwaite...


Galatea at Armathwaite

 

today's Dalesman hauled by 45699 Galatea in its many guises

 

45627 at Waitby Rock Cutting.

 

Good stuff. Glad the bottom of the ramp is "a permitted location" Recently at Cononley I was stood about a foot down the ramp taking a video. The ramp is a "proper" ramp, no silly gates or other barriers. A Leeds bound local pulled in behind me and as I walked past to leave the driver shouted "You are not allowed on the ramp". I said "don't be silly" and walked on thinking unpleasant thoughts about "Northern".

 

Birkett, 13/7/23....................

 

No.45627 'Sierra Leone' works the 'Dalesman' away from Ribblehead Station and on to Carlisle with Mick Kelly driving, Martyn Soames firing and Roly Parker Guard



Going well through Garsdale Station No. 45627 'Sierra Leone' heads the return 'Dalesman' to Hellifield with David Blair driving, Rob Russell firing and Roly Parker Guard

 

Like the first picture Shep as it’s certainly something different as I’ve not seen that view before .​

 

45699 Galatea running as ?, seen from above Selside Cottages, Aisgill Summit Bridge and south side of the Summit.

 

A Jubilee - take your pick which one - with 11 on and no diesel, in very pleasant weather today northbound at Lunds Viaduct and on the return at Ais Gill.