WCME 24th January.

'Just out of curiosity, is no one else concerned that 'Leander' hasn't been active since last October, and we haven't heard of anything of the engine since, is she actually fit and ready for Saturday does anyone know? Thanks'


I posted this in the other thread the other day. Need I say anymore?

 

I think this is where Ian Riley wins hands down.......regular work and a PPM programme.......

 

45407 reported arriving at Carnforth 5 mins late. It managed to depart 9 mins early (just the one loco requiring water?). <BJ>

 

A lively run all the way up Grayrigg and Shap and down to Carlisle. Speeds meaningless however as clearly the 47 was doing a lot of the work. But plenty of noise and steam from the 5 as well and lovely winter sunlight on the fells. Good to be out behind steam on the main line again

Peter, keeping warm in a Carlisle cafe

 

I am glad you are enjoying the trip but it's not a great start to the year. If I had booked on the strength of the advertised itinerary from RTC, I would be very disappointed. I hope next week turns out better.

 

Tend to agree, especially as this is Leander's first trip in a while. Presumably those responsible for her would have had plenty of time to ensure there were no nasty surprises, so yes a disappointing start.

 

Hopefully next weeks trip is the first proper steam hauled trip over Shap and S&C this year and the 47 is only used for stock moves. I am on it with my boss on his first ever trip hence hoping. Of course no criticism of 45407 and crew.

 

Well I hope it goes well for you. I know what it's like when you're introducing somebody to main line steam for the first time. You want it to go like clockwork and be marked down as a classic so fingers crossed,

 

It really does seem that you can't beat a Black 5, even though they appear to be no ones first choice of motive power for such a prestigious tour.

 

"Unpretentious and Hard Working" as Michael Palin described them in the classic, "Confessions of a Train Spotter" episode from the "Great Railway Journeys of the World" series, first shown in 1980.

 

I have to agree and have held that opinion since 1962 when 44852 worked the (original) "Waverley" from Leeds to Carlisle without loss of time. I had been hoping for an A4 from Leeds to Edinburgh but Haymarket's trial of A4s on the job had finished by then !

 

Only just picked up on this thread. Sad about Leander. Bad start to 2015. Out of interest, how many coaches are on the train? More than 12? If not, why the diesel? Back in 2011 5305 took 12 from Crewe - Manchester - Carnforth - Shap - Carlisle - S&C to Hellifield unassisted on a wet day, topping Shap at 20.

 

45407 getting a friendly shove with her 12 coach load at Shap Wells;

 

So no need for the diesel then, except possibly for the section from Darwen and through Sough Tunnel. Start the year as you mean to go on....? Hope not. That's 1 out of 1 for diesels ruining steam charters in 2015. Shall we keep official score this year???? Hope the Duchess is OK as we're out on the next two Winter CMEs.

 

Footage of 45407 at Salterwath and a very cold Birkett common.

 

Have agree with Ralph, it was fairly obvious a Black Five wasn't coming out to play solo on load 12 after Leander decided to stay in bed at Carnforth, have we learned nothing from examples of overloading in recent years ?, just because 45305 has done it, doesn't mean it should be a regular thing, a bit of icy rain and adhesion could have been potentially hard to come by on Shap.