Pathfinder 2023

Pity we didn't know it was going to be a 'standard' Cumbrian Mountain Express in all but name. Once we saw Tangmere as the locomotive we assumed it would have a tail gunner so didn't book it.

 

47802 and 47812 commence our day at Cardiff and through the Marches. 35018 expected on at Carnforth. Load 12 over the northern hills and sun forecasted - promises to be a good day!

 

Away on time from Carnforth, surprisingly let out in front of late running TPE. No diesel on back.

 

Looped at Grayrigg to let TPE pass

 

Twelve matching Maroon coaches on the hook.

 

35018 would be at the helm of the Pathfinder tour with twelve matching maroon coaches on the hook . Video to follow.

 

35018 at Woodhouse, Hincaster and Birkett Common.

 

Working 'The Cumbrian Steam Express' through a rather dull Hincaster SRMN class N0. 35018 'British India Line' puts on a show as it works north to Carlisle with Mick Rawling driving, Matt Southwell firing and Mike MacPeake Guard. The same crew will work the train back to Preston



The lonely Pine awaits its Chrimbo deckies as No. 35018 'British India Line' drifts over Denthead Viaduct approaching Blea Moor Tunnel and back to Preston and later to Cardiff

 

Cumwhinton...


35018 at Cumwhinton

 

In very murky conditions we see 35018 at Woodhouse then around the corner at Hincaster, the return was from a much brighter Birkett Common.

 

Aided, abetted and accompanied by Mrs W, I made my way to the over bridge beyond Wilpshire summit. It had been another hot and, for the most part, sunny day. I noted from RTT that the train was not scheduled to make an ice cream stop at Appleby - WHAT!? The times on RTT suggested a more than competent climb to Ais Gill in what should have been ideal conditions.

To cut a long story short as it appears we should - I hadn't realised that there was a prize for the longest post, Oswald must try harder. The train left Clitheroe 8E and the previous Rochdale Flyer was long gone; a clear road lay ahead, at least as far as Daisyfield Jn. RTT predicted that BIL should pass thro' R&W at 17.15 - probably not too much chance to gain time up the bank after the 20mph restriction across Whalley Arches. Mrs W was in charge of wider-shot camera and a camera phone on the Blackburn side of the bridge (for a going-away shot). I was "zoomed in" to the distant road bridge at the near end of R&W station with the intention of zooming back to the point where the loco regulator was closed when black smoke might belch from BIL's chimney. That was the plan.

RTT wasn't far off the mark, it was a little after 17.15 when BIL could first be heard, working hard. Another minute passed before 35018 rounded the curve and came into full view. An almost colourless haze shimmered above her chimney; she was making quite a sound (for BIL). Young Philip was on the station platform gesturing to the footplate crew to sound the whistle; they duly obliged and we were all treated to a shrill blast. BIL burst out from beneath the footbridge and the noise level rose. She made her way towards the summit, the sound from the chimney emphasising the power that was being produced. As autumn approaches, even at this relatively early hour, the sun is lower in the sky. Only the odd narrow band of sunlight reached the floor of the cutting but when it did BIL shone green and the coaches were, as they should be, bright, gleaming maroon - lovely!

This is where the first part of the plan unraveled. Once over the summit, the regulator was not closed, there was no thick black smoke. BIL kept on blasting and Oswald kept on zooming out. With a crescendo BIL passed under the bridge and curved away down the hill. Soon the last of the carriages had disappeared from view and it was all over for another day. After packing everything away there was just time for a quick look at the video on the iphone. What was this nonsense? It said it was 10m 40s long - oh dear, Oswald had moved the camera, switched it back on and carelessly set it to record in "slo-mo". Despite editing it back to normal speed, it wouldn't upload. Another part of the plan had to be shelved - there would be no going away sequence. 25C, 6E & 25 mph (beyond the summit). Thanks to all the usual suspects for providing this afternoon's entertainment and to Pathfinder. (I think that this might be the first time that I've watched a Pathfinder Trip, but I have travelled on some).

 

BIL climbing past a misty Shap Wells on the outward leg and at Garsdale on the return:

 

Nothing to the type of coal. There should be a vacuum in the smokebox and the char coal that goes in the smokebox should go out. If there is a air leak under the door it will burn .Its like a blacksmiths forge where air is blown under coke to make high temperatures. The harder the engine is worked the more air is forced thro', its not good if a smokebox door get warped. There were no ways of (in my days anyhow ) of straightening, except putting clips along the bottom of the smokebox door, with packing in between and tightening .If engines continue to be worked very hard and the loco owners are happy with this, well so be it.

 

Footage from Shap and on the return at Ais Gill followed up the valley:

 

A brief “Nat Pres report” from yesterday then.

Originally planned for 34067, a heavy load anticipated and the offer to change loco. BIL being a personal favourite the offer duly taken. Load 11 + POB with a green steam fire risk index presented us yesterday.

Departure from Carnforth on time with TPE running late. Practice here being if the Edinburgh is more than 5L the “CME circuit” is allowed out but looped at Grayrigg. Speed never dropping below 40mph until we hit yellows. So Grayrigg topped at 0mph… a strong build up through the Lune Gorge, Tebay hit at 69mph. Speed never dropping quick, still solidly in the 30’s into the cutting before an ease for the greaser. Shap topped at 24mph.

The return had a change to omit the Appleby stop. NR wanting to time the section between Appleby and Ais Gil to better understand the timing of steam through this section. Ormside hit at 60… speed dropping to 19mph before an impressive acceleration on route to the summit passing at 33mph.
Wilpshire bank; Viaduct crossed at the 20mph limit, dropping to 15 on route, accelerating back to 20 before a slip on entering the tunnel dropping speed back to 15mph to the summit.

A heavy load for the big Bulleid yesterday, very impressed. Great to work with WCR, my thanks to the team there. Thanks to all who travelled and great to see the action from the lineside.

 

Footage of Pathfinder's Pilgrim Centurion with 50007 & 50049 thundering past Grayrigg Summit this morning, along with record shots of 45690 & 34067.

 

50007 & 50049 at Grayrigg.

 

50034 ( 50007 Hercules) + 50049 Defiance seen at Grayrigg and Beckfoot with The Pilgrim Centurion.

 

Really good day out with the 50s yesterday. An unexpected bonus was taking the Suburban Line on the way out of Edinburgh, which we weren't booked to do. It was my first ever trip over that line, so new track is always a plus! For reasons that were never fully explained to us, the ECS was 40 minutes late leaving Polmadie depot. It was booked to take the Suburban Line, so we would be exiting Edinburgh through Haymarket. Instead, the late-running ECS itself came through Haymarket, so we took the Suburban Line to exit the city. Despite some extremely spirited running throughout from the 50s the deficit was just too much to recover from, so the return trip was around an hour late throughout.