Winter CME Trips 2018

As we were 10L leaving Carlisle I'd discounted us catching the Leeds train. A subsequent check on RTT revealed that it left Carlisle 5L. We braked just over half a mile before Lazonby at just after 15.03, RTT shows the unit clearing Culgaith at 15.03. Presumably the signal (south end of Lazonby station) cleared and we accelerated away through the platform.

 

I think everything confirms what we have already concluded, Galatea and crews are producing consistent, top drawer performances with not much in reserve. I agree the climb of Wilpshire was superb, I didn't overstate the case to see if anyone else agreed - and reassuringly you did.

 

A couple from the southbound run:

Keld and Ais Gill






Richard

 

I noticed on a few of the videos of yesterday's performance by Galatea that it appears to have joined the LMS leaky drain cock club; something I've not noticed before on this loco.

I just wondered whether this admittedly small leak of steam would have any bearing on her performance on a prolonged climb.

I'm not especially au fait with the intricacies of valves and drains, but I assume the leak is from the inlet side of the event, in which case won't the efficiency of that cylinder be reduced compared to the other two?

Could this have accounted for a few seconds on the leg to Carlisle.

 

Many a video I have filmed has the dreaded Carnforth drain cock blow at times so as folk say it’s not unusual as Sir Tom would say

 

Looking at my video of the climb up to Ais Gill there is no evidence of any leak from the drain cocks, when she was working hard. Is it more likely to get leaks under load or when coasting.

 

Certainly looks intermittent. I noticed it present on a video of it leaving Carnforth, think it was still present up Shap, pretty sure it was clear over the S&C then it was present again up Wilpshire Bank.

I watched a few videos of last weeks great performance and she seemed totally leak free; hence my query about whether it could in any way of contributed to a slightly inferior climb up Shap en route to Carlisle.

I do realise there are a thousand reasons for performance variations; just wondered if this might be one of them

 

Galatea in the sun crossing Ribblehead Viaduct



https://www.dropbox.com/s/3u5s0q540m05rp4/galatea1.JPG?dl=0

 

I did have a chat with Steve Chipperfield at Carlisle once about this after we had the issue from Carnforth. He think he said it is often caused by a carbon build up that can be blasted out under pressure on the move but you drop a lot of speed doing it so not something to do on a climb of Shap. I am sure someone on here who knows how to drive will explain it far better than me. (It also seems to have spread south to the U Class at Swanage on a recurring basis recently as well.)

 

Lovely picture of Galatea crossing Garsdale Viaduct on Saturday in today's Times. I imagine an enterprising photographer was paid a tidy sum for that!

 

Alternative view of Ribblehead on Saturday, the best way to appreciate the livery.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/124047467@N05/26592385138/in/dateposted-public/

 

It was a cracking day on the S&C and most of the great and good were out and about on the hillsides.
A couple more images from the day, firstly at Deepthwaite and secondly at Smardale curve. Not fan of the red personally so a liitle timewarp look ...
She did sound immense, a proper Jubilee roar, a memorable day.

Timeless English scenes ... by Inspiring Images, on Flickr

Just as it always was ... by Inspiring Images, on Flickr

 

24/02/2018 - LMS 4-6-0 Jubilee - 45699 "Galitea" with sticking steam cock, rounds the curve towards Wilpshire Tunnel on the Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express

 

Do we know which engine is on this week's CME? Leak aside, 35018 seemed pretty good yesterday... could this be it's first trip over Shap and the S&C?

James

 

45699

 

I'm not complaining! Thanks!

James

 

No problem James .