Winter CME Trips 2018

My pleasure just pleased the snow was about for the 1st shot .

 

I'm aware of sapplings planted between Ais Gill viaduct and the B6259 Ais Gill road bridge. Wasn't aware of any planting further north of there other than around Birkett Tunnel? Do you have a link to that video?

 

A couple of runs on consecutive Saturdays in May 1961 caught my eye in the RPS Members Database. They might qualify as representative of Jubilee best-ever times over the 17.55 mile section from Appleby to Ais Gill summit. The Saturday Up "Waverley was timed to XL limits which for a Class 6 represented a 300 tone tare maximum. The first featured 45562 "Alberta" with Load 9/ 312 tons tare including BG and RK, achieving a time of 26'57'' with a speed at the summit quoted as 38 mph. The second featured 45659 "Drake" on 8/ 285/ 305, achieving 27'02'' with a speed at the summit of 32 mph.

As these fastest times are quoted from logs held in a private Members Database, I don't think its fair to reproduce anything about these runs in more detail, but if you particularly engage with this sort of information, then perhaps RPS membership might be worth considering!!

 

Thanks to all involved in yesterdays trip there is £20 discount 12th May 14th July 13th October code LLO

 

For anyone who's interested the attached is the Carnforth-Carlisle outward journey. Hope there aren't any typos. After Shap Summit I switched from 1/4s to mileposts as it's all downhill. Got most of them. Any speeds above 75 mph are of course entirely fictional. GPSs aren't that accurate so they aren't allowed to be reported on this site.

Slightly amended the pdf as one sharp eyed reader noticed I'd moved Carnforth North Jn to the north of the station for some reason. Old age probably...

 

Carnforth north junction is south of the station.....

 

Many thanks to 1020 Shireman for the log. Always good to see the full details especially as a steward I do not always have the chance to appreciate it all. As usual excellent video from SGT, I did think the Kirby Stephen shot from a position I had not seen used before almost looked like a model layout. Great shot at the top of Shap from Ian Cawthorne whom I think I actually saw taking it as we went by.

 

Sorry, this is extremely late; but possibly better late than never. I started preparing it on the 27th Jan after the trip, but a niggling cough of a few days turned overnight into a full blown chest infection . . . antibiotics, several days in bed, several other days "confined to barracks" - this is the first day that I've been up to finishing it. Still as they say round here, I'm on t'mend now.


WCME 27 January 2018 – 45699 Galatea hauling 10+POB

As originally advertised, this trip ticked several boxes; on and off at Bolton (15/20 mins drive) and a blast up through Darwen (Mrs W was on standby to wave from Grimshaw St bridge) – alas, NR’s delays with civil works at Bolton ruled Bolton off-limits for the day. Plan B, on and off at Wigan (45mins drive) so at least a run up Hoghton bank and south down the WCML – the decision to remove steam at Hellifield killed that (and Wilpshire bank) – hey ho (again). So “back in the old routine”, I would take the service train from Blackburn to Preston and join the train there. Disembarking at Blackburn on the return left only a 10/15 min drive home.

A bacon roll and cup of tea on Preston station was a welcome breakfast. It was cool, grey and raining when Galatea appeared in the south, all steam and lights. Ron Smith gently braked the train to a stop in platform 6, almost 2 hours ahead of the usual CME slot. I joined in coach G where the 47 on the back had the temperature just above “El Scorchio”. Andalfi1 (Andy) soon arrived; the last time we were at the same table was when Leander failed to materialize because of a paperwork problem.

RT Ron Smith had us heading north to Barton loop (arr 2L). We had barely stopped when a Pendolino whooshed past. We were away again 7E reaching a max of 69 just beyond Galgate. We slowed (24) approaching the Lancaster Canal crossing, then accelerated to 46 through Lancaster station and up to a max of 56 before Hest Bank. We stopped in Carnforth loop (10E) for water and for the 47 to be detached (hurrah!). I have no idea how much pushing, if any, came from the 47 but Galatea sounded busy (and we were 9½ coaches back).

We were due to leave at 10.36, at 10.42 the Tesco train passed and at 10.44 (8L) we were away with Mick Rawling driving and Frank Chippendale firing. In steady rain there was a competent climb of Yealand (31 at summit). Galatea was working hard and we reached a max of 63 before Milnthorpe which fell to 61 at Milnthorpe (9L) but some good work saw us through Oxenholme only 7L at 47. We passed Lambrigg at 34 and a mile or so later braked for our scheduled stop in Grayrigg loop (stopping 10L). After a discussion about if the stop would help (boiler management) or hinder (loss of 35 mph ish) the climb to Shap, we concluded that the stop may be a benefit . . . all would be revealed. 3 trains passed to the north and 1½ minutes after the last, with Galatea blowing off, we were away (2L). It was still raining steadily and the tops of the fells were lost in cloud. We were up to 48 by Lowgill and a max of 68 near MP25½, back to 65 through Tebay (2E), under the Greenholm road at 52, Galatea roaring for all she was worth, down to 38 at Scout Green, down to 25 at Shap Wells and finally 23 at MP37¼. We (a long way back) passed the summit board (RT) at 29 (min on climb 22.2).

The weather improved and with gravity now helping, Mick Rawling took full advantage; speed was mostly in the high 70s, a slight slowing through Penrith (3E) at 72. We stopped in platform 3 8E; the 31.61 miles from passing Shap Summit taking 29m 02s.

A dry Carlisle (weather, not boozers) and off to The Woodrow Wilson for lunch. Despite agreeing to meet Andy, and despite us both looking, we managed to miss one another. (Should we be allowed out unsupervised?). I had a small errand, then back to the station where Galatea was already “coupled up and ready to go”.

Mick Rawling was again driving with Martyn Soames firing, we were now only 3½ coaches from the loco – toplight open and good to go. RT we were off, but not for long, we were held at Petteril Bridge Jn to allow a unit from the Tyne Valley Line into Carlisle, after a wait of just a minute we were away again and were up to 27 under the M6 bridge. On the 1/132r to Cumwhinton we reached 33, the following short level helped us to 42 at Howe & Co (1E), back down to 37 across Cotehill Viaduct and the 1/132f past Low House Crossing saw us 45 & RT. Armathwaite (48 & RT) was followed by a min of 47 on the 1/220r at Baron Wood, some impetus down the 1/165f and through Lazonby & Kirkoswald (56 & RT), 57 past Little Salkeld and Langwathby (48 & RT). By Culgaith the big red “Bunsen Burner” at the front was roaring as we sped past at (58 & 2½E), no respite, Kirkby Thore (52 & 2½E), Long Marton (55 & 2½E) and finally we stopped in Appleby 1½E.

We were allowed 21 mins for water and RT we were off. In the 2 miles to Ormside Viaduct we reached 53 then we started on the 1/100r, another couple of miles and into Helm Tunnel at 42 and out at 39 (1L), we held a min of 32 on the climb to Crosby Garrett before the easing in gradient helped us up to 39 and now 3L. It had begun to rain and the clouds were closing in. On the easier gradients we reached 45 but the return of the 1/100r had us down to 33 & 4L through Kirkby Stephen, the 1/100r continues as we held 28 in and out of Birkett Tunnel, on the 1/330r at Mallerstang we reached 36 but 5L and rallied to 38 just beyond. Now for the final 3 miles of 1/100r, inevitably speed fell back but Galatea roared at anyone who would listen and everyone who wouldn’t; 30 across Ais Gill Viaduct, 29.5 under the road bridge and a min of 29 beyond. The summit board was passed at 30/32 (7L). There were a group of hardy individuals capturing images in the rapidly fading light – well done them.

Down the hill to Garsdale and on to Dent then through to Blea Moor we were stuck with the 7L; this increased slightly down the hill to Settle Jn and with no heroics attempted we eventually stopped in the loop at Hellifield (8L) where what remaining light rapidly vanished. Galatea was uncoupled and was running round whilst WCRC addressed a braking issue with the diesel(s). The ETH was working – phew, what a scorcher! We eventually departed for Blackburn some 30L. Now pitch black, the GPS was put to bed at Hellifield. We arrived back in Blackburn 30L. Andy had a short wait for his train back to Hebden Bridge; I had an even shorter drive and was home before 18.50.

This was a trip significantly different from that initially advertised (it shouldn’t be allowed! or should it? – please discuss as many times as possible). As run the trip retained sufficient elements to keep it interesting, and with Galatea on the front very interesting. What a cracking loco Galatea has become; from “mission impossible”, on my/our(?) first outing over Shap we were overtaken by two guys on a tandem (well almost), my previous trip behind her (Dalesman 27 Aug 2015) was almost the equal of this – a really useful and noisy engine! The steam heating (in coach G) was good and was not turned off/down when climbing.

Thank you to all who organized and operated the trip – professional as always. I am grateful to all those who dot the hillsides, often in appalling weather, to give me something to look at on the internet. It was good to meet Mr Waterbuck, a face to a name and no doubt we will meet again. There were three travelers at our table, Andy, another gentleman who I have previously met and me: we had a good old chinwag mainly but not exclusively about steam.

Now next year, double headed black 5 through Darwen – well any steam through Darwen!! – Mrs W awaits . . .

 

Certainly better late than never, thanks for the usual comprehensive report and glad you’re feeling a bit more human again.

 

Up to your usual high standard David, well worth waiting for, almost reliving the trip from your vivil description, keep up the good work and I look forward to sharing a table with you in the not too distant...
Best regards
Andy

 

Dear Mr Wistle, or may I call you Oswald?

May I support all the above compliments from your fanbase! After looking out all last week for your summary of the trip, I started to feel 2018 was going to be a grim old year if it wasn't lightened from time to time by your wonderful accounts!

I should never have doubted you, and you have excelled yourself! Welcome back, and here's to many more during the year!

Peter at the end of a snowy day in Manchester, with just a little weak sun just before it went dark
http://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com/

 

Good to meet you too and thank you for the Great memories in detail here.
I had a Bacon sandwich at Preston too, never again, it bore little resemblance in my book.
The trip was wonderful though.

 

And from our roving reporter from 'down south'....

Cumbrian Mountain Express 3rd February 2018

I must admit I was hoping Oswald T would put a report on the first CME of the year up so I could do a bit of a comparison of the performance of the two trains. Thanks OT.

When the train rolled into Crewe we found our coach, Coach H on the end of the train, behind the brake compartment, Coach J. Surprisingly it was well under half full so I was eyeing a table for four opposite us on the milepost side hoping no-one was allocated them from Preston. Not too many passengers joined at Preston so I had the table for the run to Carlisle. The windows were fogged up so a quick visit to the convenience was needed to dampen a couple of paper towels and add some soap. A quick wipe over and the window was good to go for the northbound journey. Surface tension and all that.

At Carnforth U&DGL our coach was proving to be playful and the brakes had to be released twice before Galatea was able to raise the brake. We hoped there wasn't going to be any problem with binding brakes as 10+POB is enough of a load for a 5X. All seemed well as we left 2 late due to the TPE being 2 late passing. The track was wet though the rain had relented as we left the loop. Ron Smith was our driver with Frank Chippendale firing to him. Ron took it easy on the approach to Yealand Bank. Even in the rear coach we heard the distinctive sound of the Jubilee as Ron made a sensible climb not to wind the little engine and compromise the fire so early into the journey. Similarly to the 27th we crossed the summit at 30.4. Once over the summit Ron opened her up and by mp12 we were roaring along at 54. On the level to Milnethorpe, the start of Grayrigg Bank we'd picked up to 63(61), as Mick and Frank had on the 27th. The climb up the 1 in 173 to Hincaster was impressive and the roar echoed around the hills as we came off the section at 55 and lost no speed to the 3/4 mile of steeper 1 in 153. The mile of 1 in 111 saw a steady fall to 50 but the little engine rallied as we roared through Oxenholme at 49(47), slightly better than the 27th, and on time. Frank was doing a brilliant job firing and our speed only fell slowly over the steeper 3/4 mile of 1 in 104 (45) and the mile of 1 in 213/124 (42). Then Galatea really made her presence felt and maintained 41/40 over the 2 1/2 miles of 1 in 131, taking 40 onto the final 2 1/4 miles of 1 in 106 and the short 1 in 396 to the summit of Grayrigg. Unlike previous occasions with 12 up, speed didn't fall dramatically and with a serious roar from the front I watched the little engine blast around the final bends through Lambrigg at 39(34) and then crest the summit at 36, a fine climb indeed.

We were lucky with the lack of rain apart from a short section near Low Gill passed at 57 and Ron used the downgrade/level to pass Tebay South at 70.4. Over the 1 1/2 of 1 in 146 speed fell as expected. Mp 32 was passed at 70 and we took 64.1 onto the 4 1/4 miles of 1 in 75 to mp 37 1/4. The Jubilee's roar could be heard back in coach 11 in the rare still Cumbrian air but the bank took its toll and we were down to 39.4 at Scout Green, only a couple of mph better than the 27th after their restart from Grayrigg Loop. The final 2 1/4 miles was seriously noisy and I don't think Galatea had anymore to give. The speeds over the final 1 1/4 miles were: mp36 30; 36 1/4 28.1; 36 1/2 26.2; 36 3/4 24.5; 37 23.5; 37 1/4 23.5(23). as we were the final coach we felt a slight slowing to 22.6 between 37 1/4 and the summit board that was passed at 25.9(29), 3mph slower than the 27th. After a bit of fire management the 5X really enjoyed charging down the bank, getting to 75 just after mp41. As on the 27th we ran down towards Penrith in the high 70s. Passengers and photographers on the platform needed to heed the warnings to step back from the edge of the platform as the next train was stopping at the station as we roared through at 77.2. We arrived into P3 in Citadel 3 minutes early in just under 29 minutes, 4 secs quicker than the 27th!!

It was damp but not raining in Carlisle. As we were slightly early for once the Woodrow Wilson wasn't too crowded. The large mixed grill was excellent, washed down by a couple of pints of Jaipur. The long suffering Mrs S enjoyed her skinny steak and we had ice cream there in case it was wet at Appleby. Wetherspoon's ice cream is excellent if you haven't tried it.

As we were second coach on the return I wandered down to see who was on the footplate. As on the 27th Mick Rawling was in the driver's seat with Martyn Soames tending to the fire. We left Right Time and hit the 4 miles of 1 in 132 at 25. Speed had picked up to 31 at Cumwhinton and to 42 a mile further on passing Howe and Co. Box. It was a good climb and until she was eased as we came off the climb and drifted to Low House speed was held around 40/39. We were too close to the preceding service train so we only crossed low house at 27, speed having fallen to 19 earlier. Mick wound her up and we passed through Armathwaite at 43 and roared up the 1 in 220 into Baron's Wood Tunnels at 50. We paid for that and got too close to the Leeds again and drifted through Lazonby at only 14. Mick had the old girl roaring on the front and we passed Langwathby at 45 at the top of two miles of 1 in 132/110/131. By Culgaith we were up to 55and did a decent climb of the 1 in 132/220/490 to pass Long Marton at 56. We arrived at Appleby on time but passengers were told we were leaving 5 minutes earlier than booked time.

This we did and got to 52 crossing Ormside Viaduct. 1 3/4 miles out took 53 onto the first 3 1/2 miles of 1 in 100, the same as on the 27th. (Speeds from the 27th are in brackets where OTW quoted them). Speed fell steadily and we dived into Helm Tunnel at 46(42), left at 43(39). We dropped 9 mph over the next mile and a half of 1 in 100 and got a little worried about the state of the fire. Seemed to be alright as at the end of on the 2 miles+ of lesser grades of 1 in 166/200 through Crosby Garrett we roared onto the viaduct at 42 and left the 1/2 mile level at 45. As in recent years the slog to Kirkby Stephen took a lot out of the little engine, down to 30(33), but Mick used the short 1 in 264 to lift the speed to 33. Martyn must have been working hard up front but we struggled to hold 30 and were down to 28(28) into Birkett Tunnel. Speed held until Mick used the 3/4 mile of 1 in 330 to good effect and we hit the foot of the final 3 miles to the summit, mp263 at just over 37(36). There was snow on the high fells on our left and again there was hardly a breath of wind, so rare for the Cumbrian Fells in February.

A mile further in at mp262 we were still roaring along impressively at 34 and got to wondering if this was going to be something really special, bearing in mind the sometime acceleration crews find around Mallerstang. Not to be and the bank began to bite and speed fell back to 30.4 as we passed mp261. We crossed Ais Gill viaduct at 29(29.5) and we passed mp260, the end of the climb at 26.3. on the level to the plateau Ais Gill Summit board we'd picked up to 29(30/32). Two very similar climbs. I thought we were going to best 30 mins for the climb from Appleby but not to be this time. Still prefer the full Appleby to Ais Gill timing not the 'Blue Riband' from mp275. The latter we did in 25m 48s. Once of the climb speed rose to 48 by Moorcock Tunnel and dipped to 45 through Garsdale. Nothing exciting on the run down to Settle Jn, passed at 60. It got noisy at the front as we climbed the 3/4 mile of 1 in 181, coming off at 56. We lost 4 mph on the 1/4 mile of 1 in 116 and passed Long Preston after 1/2 mile of 1 in 290 at 48. Mick eased her then and we clattered into the sidings at Hellifield just about on time.

We left after watering just before 1700. A check on RTT showed that the Manchester-Clitheroe that caused us problems if we didn't get across Horrocksford Jn by our booked time of 1721 had been retimed and wasn't due in Clitheroe until 1737. We duly passed the junction at 1720 and accelerated through Clitheroe at 39. As Whalley Arches no longer has a speed restriction, we were looking forward to a proper climb of Wilpshire Bank - and we certainly got one. Couldn't see the mileposts as the light had well and truly gone. Mick had the old girl roaring nicely towards Whalley. We blasted through the station at 47 and hit the bottom of the 3 and a bit miles of 1 in 81 1/2 at 46. There was a proper Jubilee roar as we climbed across the arches. Martyn gave Mick the steam he needed and we came off them at 43. The 5X dug in and Galatea must have been a wonderful sight flat out on the climb. Speed fell quickly to 34 a mile in and the photographers and recorders on Langho must have enjoyed the spectacle as we roared through at 30. We came off the 1 in 81 1/2 at 25 and there was the feel of a slight slip that dropped us to 24 on the slightly easier 1/2 mile+ of 1 in 88. Speed fell to 20.5 into Wilpshire Tunnel but recovered to 22.8 as we passed Ramsgreave and Wilpshire Station. The summit is above the station and the minimum was 21.8. An excellent climb and probably all the little engine had to give.

For once we rattled through Daisyfield unchecked and arrived a few minutes early into Blackburn. Mick gave us a really good end to the day. We passed Mill Hill at 46; Pleasington at 54; crossed Hoghton LC at 62 and with a max of 64ish we arrived at Farington some 8 minutes early. We lost that as the brake changeover caused an issue, our coach again. We left 5 late but were only 2 down at Crewe, plenty of time for a coffee before catching the 2009 back home. Yet again we had the joy of a journey on one of Arriva's finest, a 3 car 150!!! In fairness, apart from the noise, draught and lack of heat, we only lost 5 minutes to Abergavenny.

So, an excellent day out with Galatea with what is still a heavy load for a 5X over Shap, the S&C and Wilpshire. Thanks to Nigel for running the train despite the loading; for West Coast for facilitating the train; for Ron and Mick, both superb drivers; and to Frank and Martyn for their excellent work on the shovel making sure the little engine had the steam she needed.

The only downside for passengers was the unreliable or total lack of steam heat yet again, despite the troublesome Pullman having been knocked out of the rake.

Looking forward to the 17th when hopefully we'll have another 11 coach train to enjoy with Galatea or Leander.

 

I did suspect that leaving Carlisle just 4 minutes behind a stopper would be just a bit too close and so it proved, although you were not brought to a stand. Good comprehensive report.

 

Many thanks to you Mr Shireman for another of your extended essays, which really bring alive the experience of a WCME, in which I am not indulging this winter.

Together with Mr Wistle's account of the previous week's run, and your detailed timings published a few days ago, I have really been able to enjoy the two excellent Jubilee performances we have had.

Surely Galatea deserves to have the green paintpot brought out now, with some black and orange to follow. After all, we do not wish to see her appearance eclipsed by Bahamas later this year, do we?

I am off to London o Saturday for another run behind Clan Line, so fair warning that another of my much humbler offerings will soon be inflicted upon you.

Peter on a soaking wet February day in Manchester
http://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com

 

A good report and an excellent choice of ale in the Woodrow Wilson.

 

Indeed, a large mixed grill and a couple of pints of Jaipur says........there's a fella who knows how to enjoy himself. And a Jubilee round the corner in Citadel station, what's not to like.

 

Yeah but only 2 pints. Anymore and those damned mileposts become a yellowish blur. The sacrifices we timers make...

 

E-Tickets for the 17th arrived. Same load and Galatea again.