Buxton Spa Express 7th May: now 17th September

Would have thought so, otherwise it would screw up the direction of travel for the rest of the trip. I'd like to know which route its using to get from Wigan to Manchester. If it goes via Swinton, I may get on at Wigan instead as its new track; if via Eccles, having already done it westbound, it will depend on how early I fancy getting up!

 

Timings on opentraintimes finally, in and out of Buxton via peak forest.

http://www.opentraintimes.com/schedule/U50559/2016-09-17

http://www.opentraintimes.com/schedule/U50564/2016-09-17

 

I suspect the climb through Whaley Bridge and Chapel en le Frith was thought to be too much for 45690 in 'leaf fall' season- a stretch I would have liked to have done, but such is life. However, to my thinking, the potential dividend is two-fold:

1. Not many tours in recent years have gone in and out via Peak Forest, nor have they used both sides of Chinley Jc.

2. Apart from what looks to be an impromptu use of Hazel Grove Chord, climb through Disley Tunnel before getting back to the usual over the top at Grindleford, there doesn't *seem* to be a need for a back seat driver, but I also think this is where WCRC's 'play it safe' precedent set during the 'Coast to Coast' might come into play.

 

The climb from Disley to Peak Forest is mostly 1 in 90. How steep is it through Whaley Bridge and Chapel en le Frith?

 

Haven't got a profile to hand, but I think one tour nearly came a cropper on that section. If I'm on about the correct route to Buxton, there's also a 5mph speed restriction for steam before one of the tunnels. However, it's academic- there's still a lot of climbing throughout the day. Being an optimist, let's hope for a decent run through Hazel Grove to tackle the grade. I remember a load of soot on the support coach as a result of the exhaust bringing down decades of crap in Disley Tunnel. It's seen more steam in 2016 than it has for many a year.

 

Being new to all this, is there an acknowledged good spot for photographing it going over the viaduct? If the Magnet were open that early I'd probably go for their beer garden, but alas...

 

In the order of 1/47 IIRC.

 

45305 slipped to a stand and had to roll back a couple of time on the section from Peak Forest to Buxton a few years back, combination of leaf fall and a rarely used section of line meant a very slippy rail, just as well it's rarely used, expert handling by the WCRC driver in eventually getting us up the hill that day, his names escapes me currently, but now retired and renowned for good performances in the north.

 

Gordon Hodgson?
45305 has always been renowned as a strong one I've heard.

 

It was more traction that was the issue than lack of power

Not Gordon, my minds keeps wanting to say Albert Seymour but wasn't him, I reckon Ralph can prob name him straight away and I'll kick myself once I know.

 

Bill Andrew?

 

That's him!.

 

According to the latest The Railway Magazine, Gordon has had to retire after failing a medical due to poor hearing in one ear.

 

A real pity he hasn't had the chance of a grand finale over the S&C in that case. At least there is a large body of work documenting his driving down the years.

 

Here are the RTT times if you prefer it to OTT

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50559/2016/09/17/advanced
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50564/2016/09/17/advanced

And this is the LE moves to turn at Chinley:
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50558/2016/09/17/advanced

 

I was on that one, a cracking exhibition of skill from the crew, with the added bonus of reducing the time spent in a rain sodden Buxton

There are a couple of videos of it, starting with this one (not mine)...

 

ECS move early doors . http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50560/2016/09/17/advanced

 

Actually, it's a relatively well used stretch of line - all the aggregates and cement from Dowlow go that way, approx. 10 movements a day and heavy trains.

 

You sure that's the Peak Forest - Buxton section and not Peak Forest - Chinley ?.

 

Peak Forest - Chinley is even busier than that, but the Peak Forest to Buxton is pretty well used as Rich and Louise say. The section through Astwood Dale is badly affected by leaf fall though leaves are not falling yet in High Peak. The most difficult part is the curve round to the sidings off the old Midland line as it is both a serious gradient and a tight radius so a other of drag.

I seem to remember one of the first steam specials that way after the steam ban was headed by a jubilee and slipped to a stand there. A Buxton steam driver who still worked for BR at the diesel depot wandered down to the stranded 5xp and climbed onto the footplate and it wasn't long before they were on their way up into donneroo