CME 3rd September

This one appears at the moment to be returning by the Coast and the RTC site is suggesting it will be Leander.

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50732/2016/09/03/advanced
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50734/2016/09/03/advanced

Coast + 45690 (gauging issues resolved?)
Coast + 46115
Shap both ways

Place your bets now...

 

I was told 46115 for this but it might have changed Ian .

 

Looks like steam from Preston and back as far as Carnforth according to moves on RTT.

 

Letter with e-ticket confirms 46115 Preston-Shap-Carlisle, then south via coast and off at Carnforth. Also states that Leander is undergoing repairs following a failure.

 

Footage of 46115 at Forton and hammering through Oxenholme on a lovely summer's day !

 

Was the 40 at 37 1/4 or the 'flat summit board' Ralph?

 

03/09/2016- 46115 "Scots Guardsman" heading north on the Cumbrian Mountain Express at Bilsborrow in heavy rain

 

No shortage of the wet stuff as LMS 7P Class 4-6-0 No. 46115 'Scots Guardsman' shows a good turn of speed at Beckfoot with the northbound 'Cumbrian Mountain Express'



With no let up in the weather, LMS 7P Class 4-6-0 No. 46115 'Scots Guardsman' climbs Lindal bank with the return leg of the 'Cumbrian Mountain Express'

 

After seeing todays posts my advice would be lol

 

The Cumbrian Mountain Express 03 September 2016 – 46115 Scots Guardsman hauling 10+POB

This was Mrs W’s long awaited return to main line steam following the infamous “Preston Abandonment” of 9th April. My fingers were firmly crossed as approached the station, any hiatus, major or minor, could lead to Mrs W’s permanent withdrawal. The early signs were good, a plume of smoke was emanating from the station side of Fishergate. The weather forecast predicted a band of rain starting about 11.00 and taking 6-7 hours to clear; it was 9.20 and already raining – would the rain clear earlier than expected?

Scots Guardsman backed onto the train and we took our seats in coach G (3¼ coach lengths from the loco). Unfortunately we were on the wrong side for mileposts and travelling backwards; there was only the odd empty seat. Mick Rawlings was driver, Chris Holmes fireman and Steve Chipperfield TI.

As usual the Tesco Train was running late so I anticipated a delayed departure and was surprised when we left 3¼E. Ahead of the “Tesco” we began our journey in what was now heavy rain. After 2 miles we slowed to 30 but were soon away again and built up speed until we were cruising along in the low to mid 70s with a max of 76 before Galgate. We slowed after Oubeck loops but then accelerated to 74 and roared through Lancaster station with a few “toots on the hooter.” We eased into Carnforth D&UGL and stopped a little over 4E.

Having taken water, we were yet again delayed by the late running TP service from Manchester Airport. 1 min after it passed we were away 7¾L. Unlike the run on 20th Aug, Mick Rawlings took a more measured approach, Yealand Bank was topped at 34 (20 Aug 40), speed built to 64 (70) at Milnthorpe and was 51 (57) at Oxenholme and now 9L. Grayrigg was topped at a min of 37.4 (38).

Our recovery appeared quicker than the previous run and we reached just over 75 south of Tebay, this dropped to 74 past Tebay and 72 under the M6. Because of the heavy rain all windows were closed but the roar from the front could be heard clearly. We pressed on with the gradient taking some time to impose itself. We shot under the road bridge at Greenholme at 64 and forged on to pass an almost deserted Scout Green at 53. As we entered the cutting on the final mile of the climb the 3 cylinder music was blaring out from the front end. The minimum for the climb was 40.4 (34.3).

Speed was allowed to increase slowly on the first part of the descent but soon we were bowling along in the mid 70s, on a few occasions we reached 77 when brakes were applied. We flew through Penrith at 73 with the whistle blowing and now only 4L. We entered Carlisle station RT but when we finally stopped we were 1L. I made it 69m 20s Carnforth D&UGL to Carlisle (booked time 76m) – not too bad for a Fragile Scot!

Still raining, bite of lunch, short layover, no time for shopping – what’s not to like apart from the rain. Our departure was delayed by a late running service train and we left 4L. This part of the journey does not make significant demands on the loco but is a test of the driver’s skill with numerous speed restrictions. It did stop raining just south of Wigton and as we reached the coast the Scotland could be seen across the Solway Firth (just). At several spots along the coast there were very large groups of cormorants. All was looking good for the scenic section of the line but just north of St Bees the rain restarted and the cloud base dropped. We were now running around 8L, this was reduced to 5L leaving the Sellafield water stop.

We continued our run back towards Carnforth where after a 1min stop in the station we entered the loop 11L. On the adjacent track was 57513 with the ECS for Sunday’s Waverley. As we were stopping, and unbeknown to us, 57513 began to draw its stock out in the opposite direction, glancing to right was one of those confusing moments when you think that you know that your train is almost stopped but the view through the widow tells you that it’s travelling much quicker than you thought. 46115 was quickly detached and 47237 & 47760 hooked on to the front but then we sat and waited another 40+ minutes for our slot; this is the worst bit of this itinerary.

Back into Preston where the rain had stopped and home by 20.15. Apart from the weather, remember, “Autumn comes sooner in the North” – usually about May!! Thanks to all involved, “pure steam” with a good load over a challenging mainline route, well organised and professionally operated. How fortunate we are in 2016.

So the crunch questions, did Mrs W enjoy the trip? Her reply was a considered affirmation. Will she be going on another? “We’ll see.” What a tease she is!

 

The working Scot right round Cumbria 3 September 2016

It is great that in 2016, we have two ex-LMS Royal Scot class 4-6-0s working in BR green livery, and I have enjoyed my runs behind the immaculately restored No 46100 Royal Scot. But that has in no way diminished my affection and respect for No 46115 Scots Guardsman, which has been delighting the punters for eight years. So I grabbed at the chance of a run with the authentic -looking workaday Scot, rather than the show pony.

The steam leg of the journey was to start at Preston, so that was where I joined. We were to run north over Shap to Carlisle, then return via the Cumbrian coast line and Barrow to Carnforth, where the steam was to come off.

With eleven coaches and no diesel, we set off smartly in the rain and reached 38 before the M55 and Barton and Broughton at 55. We hit 70 just after Brock and stayed that way right through to Hest Bank apart from a very slight slowing round the curves before Lancaster. We had 75s at Galgate and Bay Horse and we were accelerating as we rattled the windows at Lancaster with a 72 73 74. All too soon we were into the loop at Carnforth for water.

Our slog up the hill out of Carnforth took us to 33 at Yealand then we raced up to 64 at Bela viaduct and continued at around 60 to Hincaster Junction where the next climb started to take its toll. We passed Oxenholme at 51, Docker at 45 and topped Grayrigg at 37. Then we had my best run in a long time down the hill and through the Lune Gorge, reaching 74 and 75 and passing Tebay at 73 with some much-needed momentum for the climb. We dropped to 63 at Greenholme, 50 at Scout Green and 45 at Salterwath before breasting Shap at a minimum of 40. Then running downhill we were well into the mid 70s by Little Strickland and continued thus for mile after mile, making only a slight concession to the curve at Penrith, passed at 73. There was more excitement through Calthwaite and on to Wreay, only slowing below 70 at Brisco and reaching the outskirts of Carlisle station on time, having made up 7 minutes on the schedule. My best run over Shap for a good while.

The return via the Cumbrian coast was less thrilling, especially as the rain was now accompanied by a heavy mist which limited visibility. But the jointed track gave a retro feel – all we needed to complete the fantasy was telegraph poles and wires! We touched 60 a couple of times in the early stages, and the blast up though Whitehaven tunnel was memorable, emerging at 20 mph. We went the long way round through Barrow station then made a sharp attack on Lindal bank, topping it at 22. 59 around Cark and Cartmel and 57 before Arnside were the only highlights on our final stretch to Carnforth, but I had enjoyed my day behind the workaday Scot, which was off on another trip to Holyhead tomorrow.

24 pictures are at http://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com/p559429019

Peter, on a brightening Sunday morning in Manchester
http://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com

 

I was on the train in Coach H - 3 from the front - and it was actually nearer 69 minutes. Although a measured approach to MP 9 1/2 and Grayrigg (remember we had wet rail conditions) the climb of Shap was very good indeed as reported elsewhere (I made it about 30 secs faster than 2 weeks ago) . Driver was Mick Rawlings.

 

Diesel must have been giving one hell of a push.
Ooops! Sorry, wrong tour!

 

Sounds like a very good one. Did you get the actual speed at mp37 1/4?

 

I made it 40

 

Seriously good climb.