RTC Flying Scotsman/Black 5s to Carlisle 23rd January

Not at the moment with the wcml blocked Carlisle is extremely busy,since all wcml services terminate there.This means that a steam tour cannot stay in the platform and therefore has to be dragged out of the way.

 

And if a steam tour held up any of the regular traffic it would be an invite to NW to ban them until the emergency is over. Everyone should stop whinging about a box on the back and be thankful that the WCME is still running. I'm just annoyed that I didn't make the effort to go on Saturday

 

John, to some people a box on the back is as anathema as painting a loco in the wrong colour.

 

Really? You can't hide the wrong livery but if you are on the train you can't see the box and if you are a photographer you compose the shot so you can't see it. Still better than having no train.

 

Do we know who the footplate crews were?

 

OK well my wife says the same so maybe is time to hang up my stop watch and gps and opt for the quiet life at last

 

Oh dear, it's like shooting fish in a barrel.

 

Saw a photo of Steve Chipperfield at the controls of 45407 at Wigan.

 

Hola Don and Ralph and greetings from Spain

The details of crews which Ralph got for me then deleted are as follows:

Manchester - Carlisle
44871
Driver Ron Smith Fireman Matt Earnshaw
45407
Steve Chipperfield and Matt Durkan

Carlisle - Manchester
44871
Mick Kelly and John Rodgers
45407
Driver Ian Riley, conducted by Phil Ellis, Fireman Jack Johnson

Peter, on a bright afternoon in the Costa del Sol, with still a long to-do list about last Saturday! More anon.

 

No, diesel takes its own weight.

 

John Rodgers not Don

3 of the four fireman on Saturday under 30, one of which isn't even 20 yet!

 

Not always. Have seen a number of tours where the diesel has been switched off.

 

Indeed, but I'm talking about Saturday.

 

Thanks for the correction. I've amended my earlier post.

Yes, great to see young blood coming through

Peter

 

With the deisel they can turn the whole train so if standard is at the rear going out it will be on the rear all day

 

About 3 or 4 a year over the last 20 or so years. It's true I can't remember a quick shunt recently. I think the last one was the Cumbrian Mountaineer in November 12. That sticks in the mind because of the slips on Wilpshire.

 

Knighthood for you. Not able to spell "diesel" correctly. Good man.