WCME 24th January.

LMS 5MT Class 4-6-0 No. 45407 'The Lancashire Fusilier' approaching Appleby with the 'Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express'



LMS 5MT Class 4-6-0 No. 45407 'The Lancashire Fusilier' accelerates away from the waterstop at Appleby with the 'Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express'

 

45407 Trying her best...............



Thanks...............

 

1 out of 2. 35028 managed just fine yesterday with the Pullmans.

 

The first of this year's 'Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express' services hauled by LMS 5MT No.45407 'The Lancashire Fusilier' on the 24th January 2015. Seen at Greenholme and Birkett Common in a lucky patch of sunshine.

Video Available Here

 

45407 making easy work of any gradient without assistance at Lostock, Bay Horse, Holme & Wharton Dikes.

 

Nice shots there Shep



Keith lemon likes this
Lloyd Grossman likes this

 

Well for starters that was 2011 and not 2015, plus you should have done some more homework on your dates.

45407 - Today, 24th JANUARY 2015
45305 - 23rd JULY 2011

Theres a fair difference in rail head conditions between January and July, even with a wet rail so that's probably one factor as to why 45305 had no diesel assistance. Also the fact that the WCML may have also got a bit busier in the 3 1/2 years between the two tours.

 

Some superb shots and footage from today well done to all. Got lucky with the light for once at Birkett Common and what a fabulous noise the '5' made on the approach to BC. My thanks to the crew and owner for another top performance.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/10257146@N05/16169597998/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/10257146@N05/
http://www.davidheyscollection.com/page73.htm
http://simonlathlane.zenfolio.com/

 

Having experienced a change from bright sunshine to whiteout at Greenholme in less than 5 minutes I concur that today was not a day for taking chances on Shap - and the diesel was definitely required in the absence of the 2nd steam locomotive. For those who continue to moan about its presence it is surely time to accept that in some situations it is a simple case of "no diesel on the rear - no steam on the day" and today with its variable weather forecast was one of those days.

 

What happened at Bolton? Seen a video of 45407 coming to a stand with the regulator quite clearly open.

 

No-Jubilee Winter CME 24 January 2015

Traditionally the first Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express is a double header from Manchester, and this year it was booked for two Jubilees, the newly restored Leander and its Carnforth stablemate Galatea. The latter was quietly substituted a few weeks ago by a Riley Five, then as we arrived for the train at Victoria, we learned that 45690 had failed its FTR at Carnforth with a leaking washout plug.

So it was Stanier 4-6-0 no 45407 once more to the rescue, with 12 coaches and 47760 on the rear. The running all day was lively and the steam and noise from the engine confirmed it was working hard all day. As always, the fells in the sunshine were a delight, with some snow still on the tops. But for the train to top Grayrigg at 52 and Shap at 49, the diesel clearly had to do more than carry its own weight and provide ETH.

We were later assured that from Appleby to Ais Gill, the driver had asked that diesel assistance should be minimal. We passed Kirkby Stephen at 41 in the scheduled 17 minutes from the start, and topped Ais Gill at 32 just inside the 28 minutes in the timetable. I leave the expert performance analysts to comment on whether that could have been achieved without the diesel on the back.

The highlight of the day for me was the climb from Blackburn through Sough Tunnel to Entwistle and down to Bolton. I have never managed to do this by steam before and it was a fine finish to an enjoyable day.

See 15 pictures at http://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com/p95246663

Peter, back in Manchester on a bright January morning
http://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com

 

My shot from in the Lune Gorge yesterday. Tried Crosby Garrett for the return over the S&C but sadly the clouds had moved in strongly by the time the Black 5 reached us. Still, can't moan when I got the morning shot!

 

Thats an absolute beauty Jonny




Druncandisorderly likes this

 

(click picture to enlarge)

45407 'Lancashire Fusilier' takes water at Appleby yesterday afternoon with the RTC's first Cumbrian Mountain Express of 2015. Despite the changes we had another enjoyable day out.
(Also good to catch up with Alan, Ralph & Tom)

 

A link to the video would be handy if comments are being invited but in the right conditions of temperature etc there are other steam discharges in the smokebox that might be visible at the chimney with the regulator closed. Vacuum ejector, air pump & blower all come to mind.

 

Despite the bad news for all concerned, on, Saturday morning, We had a enjoyable day out, lineside.

 

"Gotcha" Jonathon!

 

Nice shot ,the arrow really finishes it off lol




Peter Fyle likes this