Cleethorpes - Carlisle, 3/10

Really frustrating, had a cracking moody shot set up, but no show. Today's two tours in the north should have been marketed as mystery tours, given the number of changes there have been in the last week.

 

Via Hambleton Jcts and South Milford perhaps?

 

Isn't this it?
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U10636/2015/10/03/advanced

 

Somebody on this thread reported a "no show" at South Elmsall and everywhere on that bit of line between Marshgate Jct. and Engine Shed Jct. show "no report" so I think it's a fair bet that it didn't go that way.

 

which would be consistent with all those "No report"s on RTT. ECML to Hambleton seems the only other possibility.

 

Which is what I opined a few posts ago.

 

Before dropping into the fog filled Mallerstang at Garsdale troughs:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/iancawthorne/21923095661/

 

Very nice.

 

Steam on it's own?

 

Nah, 2 47s on the back because a full train just ain't enough for a black un!

 

So no real steam this weekend then, just 2 'steam for show'. What a miserable year for steam. Roll on 2016????

 

Footage of 45231...................



Thanks.

 

It's the first time I've seen steam with 2 47's on the back. It didn't sound like they were doing anything when they passed mind, the Five sounded great!

 

Footage of 45231 at Otterburn shortly after passing 45699 and finally on the hard climb towards Selside Shaw .

 

The two 47's will be there to haul the return to Cleethorpes, I imagine in top and tail mode from Carlisle. Having the two on the back of the tour saves light engine paths, but WCRC have been kind enough to ensure both 47's are on the rear rather than a 47 tucked in behind the Black 5. From the sound of the videos, I don't think the 47's even powered!

 

The Black Five did indeed go via South Milford,passed around 08:40 (going very well,with a nice shove....as in pretty much full power!) and sat at Micklefield Junction for 20 minutes to wait it's booked time (09:03 I think).

 

My shots are now online:

South Milford (grim!) : https://www.flickr.com/photos/mark-walker/21293386304/in/dateposted/
and Blea Moor:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mark-walker/21904126452/in/photostream/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mark-walker/21294998923/in/photostream/

Cheers,
Mark

 

Footage of 45231 blasting towards Gargrave then making an even louder din past Horton in Ribblesdale with no assistance.

 

There's no doubting the diesel was on (near enough) full power for some sections BUT the steam loco was flat out also on most shots,which I don't think makes it that much of an issue (it gets out of the way of units quicker!),whether it's enjoyable to see this on the majority of trips...that's questionable.

Definitely not "steam for show" though,the Black Five was working very hard on many sections. (Those of us at Blea Moor could hear it for 15 minutes prior to it passing..)