Winter CME Trips 2018

Grimming it up 'east side' at Shap Summit and Crosby Garrett.


https://www.flickr.com/photos/iancawthorne/40030377392/


https://www.flickr.com/photos/iancawthorne/28283696289/

http://settlecarlislesteam.co.uk/2018/3rd-february-2018-winter-cumbrian-mountain-express

 

No conflict at Horrocksford Jn, 34; Clitheroe 43; Whalley 47.4; mp16 32; Langho 30; Wilpshire Tnl 21; Ramsgreave and Wilpshire 22.8.

 

Bloomin heck Ian you must be mad going out in that,

 

LMS 5XP Class 4-6-0 No.45699 'Galatea' working the second 'Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express' on the climb to Shap, Ron Smith driving and Frank Chippendale
on the shovel.



Fabulous noise from the engine from miles away, 'Galatea' approaches Kirkby Stephen with the return leg of 'The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express' this time
with Mick Rawlings driving and Martyn Soames on the shovel, the weather not as bad as last week fortunately but the ground sodden at each location.

 

Thank you for the info Sheps I think you should have missed the out of focus tree out on the second shot but well done for turning out Misfortune favours the brave

 

Just a bit of drizzle.

 

Is the record for a Jubilee (single chimney, any load?) known? I suppose it just shows what a different league 46229, 71000 etc are in when they were punching out sub 17 minute efforts.

 

From the stats kindly provided it certainly looks like a teriffic performance from crew and loco, whether or not it is a best in class. There are very few other BR classification power 6 locos to compare with, possibly only the V2 in the heritage era but that perhaps illustrates another curiosity of how Jubilees were thought better than a 5 yet V2s not 7!
It will be interesting to see once 45596 has been run in whether it gets a crack on similar load in similar conditions and puts in equal or better times that 45699. It will be hard pressed because 45699 seems like a belter at the moment.

 

And all credit to WC for turning a "bag of spares" into such a fine loco.

 

I guess that would need someone to read Trains Illustrated from the days of 45562/73 etc when the loads tended to be 8 or 9. But Brian Basterfield's site Locomotive Performance has some runs by various locos including 5690 in the preservation era. One which caught my eye was 777 with 11 on in 28m 45s from Appleby to Ais Gill.

 

The around 18 minute times were the northbound climbs to Ribblehead Ian. The 'Blue Riband' record for Appleby to Ais Gill Summit was just under 22 mins if I remember rightly.

 

The Blue Riband from Ormside to Ais Gill in the preservation era with a standing start from Appleby and 12 coaches on is 16m 14s by 46229 on 14/8/93. I don't know what to add from Appleby to Ormside but probably 4m to 4m 30s. There is reference to other attempts on a 20 min time from Appleby to Ais Gill not being achieved so I reckon 20-21 mins is the record.

PS Passing Appleby at 60, 35012 did it to Ais Gill in 17m 46s with 9 on, 13/6/64.

 

Are any PSRs in place that would preclude those sort of times being matched these days?

 

Back in 1990 3442 hauled 7 Pullmans, 3 Mk1s and 1 Buffet/Kichen over the same route when the 20mph Mallerstang slack was in place. The Jubilee did very little better with a lighter load and an unrestricted path. Seems a bit odd to say the least.

 

'Galatea' passing through Pleasington Station on the 3rd February 2018 CME. She literally flew through.

 

LMS 5XP No.45699 is seen hauling 'The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express' on the 3rd February 2018 at Shap Wells and Ais Gill Summit.

Video Available Here

 

I think the line speed now is 60. 35012 was doing 73 at Ormside so that time would definitely be affected. But it would be interesting to see Tornado on a southbound non stop run through Appleby to see what she could do. From a standing start at Appleby I don't think the 60 max would come materially into play. Whether there are any additional restrictions eg at Smardale or KS station I don't know.

 

and indeed a classmate of 35012 ..........

 

Yes, I was referring to the Ormside to Ais Gill timed section. A table of the top times is here: http://settlecarlislesteam.co.uk/the-blue-riband

For Tornado non stop through Appleby, see 16th September 2017, load 13.
http://www.national-preservation.com/threads/the-border-raider-with-60163-16-09-17.990010/page-17
21 minutes 30 seconds (Ormside to Ais Gill) if I've read Sean's pdf correctly.

 

Just seen a video showing hundreds of saplings planted on western side of Mallerstang Common, soon be no view of the line all the way to Ais Gill summit.