CME 2nd April

Sounds like a spectacular climb Ralph, look forward to seeing the pics/vids from those brave souls up in the hills!...enjoy your lunch!

 

whats the delay leaving Carlisle?

 

Sounds like a right cock up.

 

Must of had a bad night last night (Euros ticket didn't come up?) or something.
Can he/she overrule the original published plan from NR?
Questions should be asked by those in authority, maybe any delay penalty should come out of his/her own pocket.

 

It does happen I'm afraid. On a trip to Lincoln with 46115, the published NR plan was for loco only to be turned but local control insisted on the whole train being turned. That caused a bit of bother.

 

Greenholme before the palisade goes up no doubt...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/iancawthorne/25588197753/

 

Footage at Shap Wells and Great Strickland .

 

02/04/2016 - 46233 "Duchess of Sutherland" passing by in full flight with a late running "Cumbrian Mountain Express" at Bilsborrow north of Preston.

 

Having been looped at Grayrigg, LMS 8P Class 4-6-2 No. 46233 'Duchess of Sutherland' accelerates through Beckfoot in horrendous conditions with the 'Cumbrian Mountain Express'

 

A morning to forget at Dillicar but for what it's worth:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/48546196@N06/26197370445/in/datetaken-public/

Much better at Lancaster this evening:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/48546196@N06/26197382155/in/datetaken-public/

Phil

 

The Cumbrian Mountain Express 02 April 2016 – 46233 Duchess of Sutherland hauling 10+POB

This was the day that WCRC was back in steam action. I joined a very full train at Preston; travelling alone, Mrs W and Oswald Jnr. had chosen to go to football – each to their own. It was raining steadily and the rain would persist for most of the day. I was in the rear of coach G, 4 coach lengths from the business end. We arrived at Carnforth loop RT, the electric loco was removed and “the big girl was fastened to the front” – we were ready, but NR made us wait for the late running Man Pic. to Edinburgh, we left 17L.

With Mick Kelly at the regulator and Steve Chipperfield riding shotgun (TI) we were up to 52mph by Milnthorpe but speed began to fall away and despite some acceleration before Oxenholme, we passed through the station at 33 and by Lambrigg we were down to 30. We eased into Grayrigg loop and stopped just under 39mins after leaving Carnforth; the scheduled start to pass being 28mins. We were held for 22mins whilst 3 trains overtook us. We were accelerating as we passed Lowgill at 47 and were up to 68 on the level stretch before Tebay, speed fell to only 59 at Greenholme. We lost some speed with a slip at Scout Green and there was a further slip nearer the summit (both quickly controlled). The summit (MP37½) was passed at 31mph, 15min 15s start to pass from Grayrigg. The sound of the exhaust was tremendous.

Gravity now lent a big helping hand, by Hardendale Quarry we were up to 59 and by Harrison’s sidings 72. Speed was kept in the low 70s (max 76) until about 1½ miles from Carlisle. We stopped in platform 3 now 48L. This was very creditable considering the 17L start and the 22min stop in Grayrigg loop. “Platform info” was that there was no problem with the steaming and the coal was fine. The more measured ascent of Grayrigg ensured that we were looped at Grayrigg; had we have gone faster we may have been turned in at Tebay and lost the chance of a good run at Shap – footplate experience or chance?

The plan had been for the stock to remain in platform 3 and the loco and support coach were quickly detached. They had to be re-attached when the local signaller decided that the stock needed to be shunted to one of the loops behind platform 1. The loco eventually returned from servicing, when a slot could be found, collected the stock and reversed it into platform 3. The tender was once again full, an additional 4 tons of Russian coal purchased from a Penrith based coal merchant was loaded whilst the loco was being serviced.

By 15.57 we were ready for the off but were held for a path behind the Edinburgh to Euston. We were away at 16.11 (78L). Steve Chipperfield was driving and Mick Kelly was TI. After about a mile, the climb starts with 4 miles of 1/131 at the end of which we were up to 36, this increased to 40 on the following 1/184 and up to 44 on the very short level stretch. This speed was held on the following 1/228 but fell back to 41 as the gradient tightened to 1/164. Our scheduled stop in Plumpton loop wasn’t needed and we sailed past at 49, we passed through Penrith station (69L) at 52 in a fraction over 18mins after leaving Carlisle. We met the start of the main climb (1/125) at 48. Speed fell away slowly to a min of 33 which increased to almost 40 past Shap village. 8 coaches back I passed the summit at 45mph in 48min 45s from Carlisle. We were now accelerating hard, 74 past Tebay, 70 through Oxenholme with a max of 77 around Milnthorpe. We stopped in Carnforth loop 68L.

Watering was quick and we were away 20 min later 57L. Through Lancaster at 52 and up the bank (down to 39) past the University and back up to 50. By Scorton we were up to 60 and speed was held in the low to mid 60s (max 66) until we began braking for Preston where I had to leave, now 57L.

An unexpected bonus, as I walked down platform 6 to see 46233 departing, 45699 and support coach came into view heading north through platform 5. They were both moving as they crossed with much waving and smiling from the crews.

I was late leaving the train in Carlisle (don’t ask) but caught up with Ralph in Wetherspoons. Amongst the things we discussed were delays to charter trains – there were several!

A good day out, Shap both ways – no problem, thanks to all concerned in making it happen. There were a few hardy souls out with cameras braving the weather and the late running (thanks). The initial delay caused by the late running Edinburgh bound train snowballed as these things often do. Our chances of a RT return were kyboshed by the actions of the signaller at Carlisle; I hope he can (and has to) justify them to his manager.

 

A couple of very hastily grabbed snaps from the end of platform 5/6 at Preston with 45699 and support coach heading north into platform 5 just as 46233 is leaving platform 6.

 

According to RTT this train arrived only 2 minutes late back at Euston.