Fellsman Season 2016

I suspect the other factors cited explain why they've cancelled the whole series rather than attempting to find a different route. Let's hope they have enough other profitable business to tide them over and that they return next year.

 

Was booked on the final Fellsman of the 2016 season as these have been regular tours for me to book on, iv not done too bad for motive power though as I had 45699 in Jul 2014, 45231 in Aug 2014 & 46115 on both outings in Jul & Aug 2015. Oh never mind iv no problem with waiting another year till the Fellsman season restarts in 2017, looking on the website the 2017 season will be expanded to make up for the loss of this year. May if I can fund it go on at least 3 or 4 Fellsman's in 2017 (with the final run of the season being one of them).

 

Bring back the Cotton Mill Express, except now we have Todmorden Curve to play with.

Manchester - Manchester via Todmorden, Blackburn & Bolton. Miles Platting, Copy Pit & Sough - 3x good climbs and a reasonably short journey time. Possibly a Shakespeare of the North if done right!

 

That's not a bad idea that, but maybe even a few tours on the routes which are starved of steam tours like the lines from Blackpool or even Southport, The route via Warrington Central and maybe even a run from Birkenhead.

 

I have always thought they could run from Manchester to Blackpool when the illuminations start price it competitively for families steam one way then diesel back I think it would be popular as you would attract joe public

 

Why steam only one way ?

 

I was basing it on keep cost down plus it saves turning on the triangle

 

Ah, Its just that I was thinking of saving a diesel and extra crew for less cost...

 

Closest triangle to Blackpool is Farington Jcn, would love to travel along the Blackpool line behind steam before the semaphores go either later in 2016 or the start of 2017 with the electrification. Southport meanwhile amazingly has still got a turning triangle although it's hardly used now and the former steam shed has gone.

 

I Have noticed it's hardly used but on one occasion I have seen a train on there.

 

IIRC you can't use the siding to mainline chord. It is now basically a siding access from Platform 5(?), even though the rails are still there.

 

If Blackpool is electrified by 2017 I'll show my arse in Debenhams window on Preston high street.

 

Well the boxes are going near the end of this year and as they have spent our money raising the bridges then electrification is inevitable.

 

Well covered I presume !

 

Electrification will happen, but all efforts are being concentrated on the Manc - Bolton - Chorley line as they want the TPE electric service to use this route and not run via Eccles. Since raising the bridges on the Blackpool line the contractors have quit citing being unable to complete the project on budget, and a minimal amount of work has been completed as a result.

Salwick, Kirkham, Poulton, Carleton and Blackpool boxes will not close this year, and I just cannot see it for 2017. I'd be even tempted to say Leicester have more chance of winning the Champions League before 2020, than we do of seeing Blackpool electrified.

 

The connection is from Platform 3; the condition of the track on the chord is why it is not currently in use as the connection to the main line is still available AFAIK

 

Hopefully we should see the Fellsman again next summer, the latest from Network Rail is the the Settle and Carlisle will re-open "in the spring of 2017"