Tin Bath 1/11/15

Excellent proving once again that on video steam in the landscape is the way to go





Military dont do this

 

"Rileys Fives" at GRINDLEFORD in the Autumn sunshine.

 

Had yet another great day out with the RTC Tin Bath in mostly sunny and unexpected warm weather. Many thanks to all those who worked to make it possible.
Mobile 'snap' here on arrival back in Manchester.

 

Nice. Once I'd decided to have a day working on 34081 I just new the weather would come good for this.

 

i have added some photos of Sunday 1st November Tin Bath tour
sadly the photos are not very good as they were taken directly into the setting sun, so i have converted some to B/W
all photos taken at Deighton
https://railway-photography.smugmug.com/Railtours-Year-by-Year/2011-/2015/The-Tin-Bath-11115/i-SBWNmcw
https://railway-photography.smugmug.com/Railtours-Year-by-Year/2011-/2015/The-Tin-Bath-11115/i-bLxkVVX
https://railway-photography.smugmug.com/Railtours-Year-by-Year/2011-/2015/The-Tin-Bath-11115/i-CjmqRFH
https://railway-photography.smugmug.com/Railtours-Year-by-Year/2011-/2015/The-Tin-Bath-11115/i-55sCPtV
Neil

 

Just for a change - scenes from the train

 

Wow . Looks like a great tour. It is clear from Fred Kerr's photographs that window hanging is back. I am sure everyone acted responsibly and posed no threat to themselves or others. Bring it on!

 

In fairness shots were taken on sharp curves; camera was held close to carriage sides and body was out for less than 10 seconds - or just enough time to take the shot. In the case of the shot below I can be seen taking the image at New Mills in the sequence at §32. Given the space available between the tracks I hung out further than normal and I apologise to anyone who thinks this is normal practice; it was simply knowing that the gap existed at that point.

 

↑
More train in the landscape with this shot at Nether Booth,could have done with a little sign of exhaust but it is downhill here and a very mild first day of November I have to say .The autumn colours were just superb in the Hope Valley .

https://www.flickr.com/photos/10257146@N05/22691108761/
Timeless shot! Nice one

Thank you John, appreciate your comment.Best wishes Simon

 

Just re-lived the day from fantastic contributions above thank you, good memories for those who travelled too.
A few snaps of the day out are here - https://www.flickr.com/photos/goldsteam/albums/72157660693321482

Below = a shot from the train from Penistone Viaduct in amazing warm weather.

 

bit gutted about THIS one, the last time I used this location they were working hard.

 

where's that?

 

A set from the tour, great to see so many out for this and a very busy train
https://www.flickr.com/photos/45407and44871/albums/72157658394995704

 

recken still a great shot sither

 

The Tin Bath 01 November 2015 – 44871 & 45407 hauling 10+2POBs


Mrs W and I arrived at a misty Preston station just in time to see 57601 heading southbound through the station; we wouldn’t be taking a “rear-gunner” to Manchester Victoria. On a perfectly calm morning wisps of steam drifted up between the carriages and hung around the locomotives giving a timeless feel.


RT we were away. Inquiries failed to reveal who was driving which engine but I was informed that there were four booked drivers: Ian Riley, Steve Chipperfield, Mick Kelly & Mick Rawlings and that Steve Chipperfield was also carrying out some assessments (!?). (At Brighouse Mick Kelly was on 44871 and Mick Rawlings on 45407).


Speed was worked up to 52 by Euxton Balshaw Lane and held at 51 on the climb up to Coppull; we peaked at 58 before arriving at Wigan NW. The fog persisted as we headed for Manchester, generally running a few minutes early resulted in us being stopped for 1 min before Salford Crescent and again for 3½ min at Salford Central, finally arriving at Man Vic 2L. In the last mile the fog had lifted and it was now a clear, sunny autumn morning.


We left RT and the fives were put to the task, in less than half a mile we were up to 21mph, this slowed as we threaded our way out of Manchester. By the time we reached Belle Vue we were up to 37 and peaked at 39 just beyond Reddish North, the sound through Brinnington (32) was tremendous. We stopped (5E) to take water from a tanker on the car park just before Romiley station; this was completed 3 mins before our scheduled departure time and we drew forward into the platform to be greeted by spectators 2 or 3 deep lining the full length of both platforms. RT we were off and accelerating hard up to 40 then slowing through Marple and accelerating again through Strines (31). We slowed for New Mill S Jn then back up to around 30-32 for the final part of the climb into Cowburn Tunnel. Out the other end and up to 57 through Edale, frequent braking kept our max to 62 on our descent. The scheduled 4 min stop at Hathersage was cut to 1 min. We stopped at Dore to allow a service to train to join in front of us and then again for 5 min outside Sheffield, finally coming to a halt in platform 1 (1L).


It was a glorious, warm and sunny afternoon as Mrs W and I strolled down to view the locos which were being watered from a tanker parked adjacent to the platform. We were away RT and arrived 1E at Wincobank Jn for a pathing stop, away RT speed was worked up to 32 by Chapeltown and 44 at Elsecar. We were checked running into Barnsley station (down to 7) and it appeared as though we would be stopped, then we were away. We took advantage of the short stretch of easier gradient and were up to 21 as we left the main line and curved sharply away left onto the steep (1/50) line to Huddersfield. Speed dropped to 8 as we joined the single track section. The locos dug in and we pounded up to 26 before easing to 13 for the bridge across the M1, back up to 27 by Dodworth and 36 at Silkstone Common; our max for the section. We were 8E for our first pathing stop at Penistone, the unit was late, causing us to depart 3L. Our second stop was at Stocksmoor, arr 3E, dep 1E. We were again early approaching Huddersfield and were held for 7 min before passing through the station and on to Brighouse (3L) for our final watering stop of the day.


Away RT on what is a rising gradient all the way to Summit Tunnel. By Sowerby Bridge we were cruising along at 45, Mytholmroyd (47), eased through Hebden Bridge (28/25). Hall Royd Junction was taken at 49 which increased to 50 as we turned left through Todmorden (and not straight on to Copy Pit and Darwen as originally planned). The fives could “scent home” as they powered up to 51 through Walsden and onto the final mile of the 1/182. Through the tunnel and then down towards Manchester. There were a couple of checks approaching Man Vic which culminated in us stopping in the platform 5L.


44871 & 45407 with their support coaches were detached and replaced by 57601. We left RT only to be baulked by a late running “all-stations stopper” all the way to Wigan, but there was sufficient slack in the timings to ensure we arrived RT at an even mistier Preston.


Highlights of the day: the weather, the autumn scenery, the flawless performance by Mr Riley’s locos but especially seeing the well organised and efficient way the locos were watered and coal brought forward etc by enthusiastic YOUNG men – this has to be the way forward! These young men should be proud of themselves as should Ian Riley; all steam enthusiasts, if they are not already, should be appreciative of the very professional manner in which he conducts his operation.


Thanks to everyone involved in organising and running the trip. It was over 50 years since I last travelled on the Hope Valley line (and even longer since I was in a tin bath – yes we did have one!). Mrs W says that we will be travelling on it again – but not in February!

 

SWMBO and I too had a very enjoyable day out with the Tin Bath although it was unfortunate that we were in the penultimate carriage. We heard only occasional faint grumbles from the Fives and the steam heating was rather erratic but we were on the sunny side and it was warm. The afternoon passed quickly as we enjoyed our lunch and a bottle or two. Just shows what can still be achieved without dragging a 57 around. We are looking forward to next year!

 

Yes but remember on other tours you will not always have such reliable engines up front

 

Or such willing crews.

 

Any of the mainline certified steam locomotive fleet can be maintained at a level that will ensure high reliability if the appropriate competencies and finances are available.