LE Movements, ECS and Test Runs 2015

Both in Rugby 14-00

 

61306 departed Rugby 14-05 45407 departed 14-12

 

I wonder when was the last time that a B1 and Black Five were seen more or less together in Rugby at the same time? My guess would be some time in the late Great Central era (1963-66) when B1's were still making occasional forays down the GC.

During the mid-sixties era, I suppose the simultaneous sighting a a Black Five/ B1 would have been possible at either Rugby Central (where Black Fives predominated on the Marylebone-Nottingham semi-fasts), or at the former GC "Birdcage" viaduct over the WCML, where I think locally Northampton retained a significant allocation of Black Fives and were fairly commonplace over the Northampton Loop right through to the mid-60's. Any ideas/ suggestions ??

Interestingly, 61306 was the last B1 to work down the GC, on August 23rd 1966 - just 12 days before closure of the line north of Aylesbury/ Calvert. It worked the 8.15 semi-fast from Nottingham, but failed on arrival at Marylebone, so no return working. 61306 achieved on that occasion the distinction of being the very last Eastern Region steam locomotive to work into London in normal traffic (source "The Last Years of the Great Central Main Line"/ Robert Robotham/ page 74)

 

45407 Hemel 61306 Madeley

 

45407 Watford 61306 Crewe

 

45407 passed Kings Langley at about 15:25 in the gathering gloom. It was not put into the up goods loop.

 

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That sounds like fun, but I think the only way of getting from Marylebone to Loughborough without needing to reverse somewhere will be via either Amersham or Princes Risborough to Aylesbury, then Claydon Jn, Bletchley and Bedford; after Claydon Jn to Bletchley has reopened.

 

Well this is it ladies and gentlemen the announcement has been made by LNWR Crewe about 46100's mainline test runs. She will be moving from Crewe to Carnforth with her support coach on Mon 21st Dec and on Tuesday she's going out on her loaded test run on the Hellifield circle via Hellifield, Blackburn & Preston.

Timings for the E&C Moves from Crewe to Carnforth & back the following day haven't been released yet but the timings for Tuesday's loaded test run is up.

Timings for Tuesday
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/P80045/2015/12/22/advanced

Plan I have for Monday is to see her outside Preston on her way to Carnforth and for the following day I am looking at locations to visit.

 

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The diesel is provided for insurance just in case a component on the locomotive under test suffers a failure; WCRC even do it for testing of diesel traction but only run Carnforth - Hellifield - Carnforth when activated.

 

Fred, don't try to justify the use of more than one loco on a test run, some people will never accept practicalities!

 

Which is the difference between those who know how things are done and those who think they know how things are done.

 

Timings for Royal scots test run tomorrow afternoon

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50560/2015/12/21/advanced

 

The timings for the 3 test runs has been added to realtime trains and a link is up on UK Steam.

Tomorrow's LE Move to Carnforth
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50560/2015/12/21/advanced

Tuesday 22nd Dec
Loaded Test run - Carnforth WCRC-Carnforth WCRC (Via Hellifield, Blackburn & Preston).
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/P80045/2015/12/22/advanced

LE Move to Crewe
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50563/2015/12/22/advanced

 

46100 reported departed Crewe 14.30 no diesel, to Carnforth, thanks Andrew.

 

well all the steam and smoke seems to be coming out of the right places.

 

Anyone tempted to brave what looks like being another wet day in the north west tomorrow, remember that these test runs tend to be way ahead of time after Hellifield.