Northern Belle 2022

According to Railway Herald rail tours Northern Bell will be hauled by Tangmere
Thursday 24th February looks like the first one
http://www.railwayherald.co.uk/railtours/

Neil

 

As an airbraked train there’s no other option if it’s going to be steam

 

Surely Tangmere will want a bit of 'shake down' running before a day with The Northern Belle.

 

A double header over the S&C should do that

 

That should do nicely, it worked when BIL and Mayflower had a day out together.

 

Footage of 34067 heading the first steam hauled Northern Belle of the year this morning approaching Grayrigg Summit in a lucky break from the weather...2 minutes earlier it was sideways hail and snow.

 

Quite surprised (albeit it doesn't really matter in the big scheme of things) that WCR haven't painted a POB to match the rest of the rake.

 

Seemed matching Class 57 not available either.
I assume that must have been a southern horse in that field with a coat, as the two northern ones were obviously made of sterner stuff.

 

I did notice one of the Mk3 SLEPs has been replaced with a Mk1 BG at the rear of the formation

 

Between the snow flurries at Shap Wells...


Tangmere takes the Belle

 

Quite a spectacular show at Oxenholme

 

SRBoB class No. 34067 'Tangmere' working the first of this years 'Northern Belle' from Leeds to Carlisle through Greeholme with Mick Rawling driving, Rob
Russell firing and Matt Miller Guard



With the weather quickly deteriorating 'Tangmere' works the return 'Northern Belle' towards Aisgill summit Mick Rawling driving, Rob Russell firing and I believe Peter James Guard

 

SR BB No.34067 'Tangmere' seen hauling the first steam hauled 'Northern Belle' service of the season, seen passing Shap Wells and Ais Gill Summit, 24th February 2022.

Video Available Here

 

34067 Tangmere between the snow showers at Birkett with the Northern Belle on 24/2/2022

David Price
Cop Lane on Flickr

 

Another from the climb to the summit lower down viewpoint to lovely shot posted by Ian.

 

Spot on Shep and always good to know who’s doing the graft on the footplate. Should’ve been a video from me but always check it’s actually recording LOL .

 

Some you win, some you lose.

It was snowing at Shap Wells when I arrived, but that soon cleared and the sky was blue when Tangmere came up Shap with crisp visibility for miles. The weather was better than I'd expected when I left home.

More snow lying at Ais Gill for the return promised an attractive backdrop and the light, while varying, was generally good, with crisp detail. The wind direction wasn't ideal for the side of the track we eventually chose as an alternative to the west side and although breezy, the wind wasn't too strong. I thought the smoke should at least clear the loco, even if it shrouded part of the train. The magnificent backdrop of the fell with the crisp scree peeping through the snow on the top would make up for that.

As time for the train approached the light was still good and it looked like it might even improve. About 10 minutes earlier than expected we heard the train, time 15.23. Light was still more dullish, but with good visibilty.

15.24 Tangmere was louder and the snow came down in sheets. The wind picked up and the sheets came horizontally.

15.25 Tangmere loomed out of the weather, with the strengthened wind doing just what I'd hoped it wouldn't with the exhaust and the fell hid in the falling snow.

Ten minutes later the snow had cleared.

Still, it was a good day out.

 

34067 Tangmere with the Northern Belle seen from Shap Wells and climbing to Aisgill Summit.