East Lancashire Railway - Spring Steam Gala 2-4th March

Top and tailing is a sensible idea as it minimises the use of points. If Leander is the banking loco as per the emergency timetable, does that mean it is going to spend the entire day running bunker first? If so a very strange way the main guest loco ...

Images on Facebook show all main line engines facing south so both black 5's and the A4.

 

ELR sources advise that emergency tt was planned this morning on the assumption that 45690 would face n, as per requests and therefore each set would be able to be top and tailed with locos chimney first. Unfortunately 45690 was held at Carnforth due to Castleton box advising of frozen points and unable to guarantee turning of loco. Loco move continued thanks to persistance of owner and ELR and allowed to proceed with accepted possibility of facing S. This happened.
It was felt more important that loco came for travelling public and to honour commitments rather than the easy options of sending loco back.
This was the plan at 18.00 today, it might change if 45690 gets coupled up tonight to a different set and a less star loco goes bunker first for Friday. If not hopefully on Sat/Sun better conditions will allow chimney first and please the linesiders. It is also hoped that they appreciate the efforts and contribute by riding..............

 

Tell you what. Half these numpties have no idea what’s gone on today... orange jackets on all footplates tomorrow with Santa special headboards and Thomas faces....

 

I'm glad 2890 has been dropped for tomorrow it's not a proper engine and always sports inappropriate headboards

 

*jumps in car armed with Wood and lighter and sunshine express headboard*

 

Some people amaze me. With the weather how it is just be thankful this gala is going ahead and Leander actually made it to the railway whichever way it facing let’s just remember these events are run by volunteers that will be taking a risk to get to the railway to give you your enjoyment. And I hope the not so proper engine keeps the customers warm and puts some money in the pot for the owner so he can restore and keep the other engines going in the future

 

Totally agree Woolley! I spemt the night camping at Burrs and can say it was the coldest and windiest night I have ever spent in the van and I was in northern Norway last spring!! Side roads especially are treacherous and M62 has been shut for nearly 20 hours. Goodness knows when they will open that motorway.
All I can say is come and see the trains (no matter which way they face!) in the fantastic winter scenery. I will take a few phots but spend the day mostly riding and keeping warm.
Again, fantastic effort to get the Jub. here and I'll be happy to see anything moving! Wonderful effort by the volunteers for our ENJOYMENT!!

 

2890's owner might have something to say about that...

 

I have a clear conscience... sm policy or otherwise....

 

Sorry if my post came across as a whinge, it was actually a genuine question. I applaud the efforts of getting anything running in these conditions and as always I would have been buying a ticket. It just seemed a strange decision and I assumed it was known that Leander would face south like all the other mainline visitors. Thanks for the explantion and I really hope people can get to the gala. Alas I cannot today as it it simply impossible to get over the Pennines on any route at the moment. Sorry if I caused any offence, that is the power of the internet, a simple question taken out of all proportion when absolutely no offence was meant or intended.

 

What are the 4EXX headcodes? Light locos? Freight?

 

45690 chimney first on a set today, 45157 bringing up the rear with her new blue number plate and shed plate.
Nearly all to time after a late start due to points failure.
Full original tt planned for tomorrow and Sunday at this stage, bitterly cold today, very few passengers due to weather elsewhere.

 

Thnaks for the update and well done the ELR for achieving more than most transport bodies could today. Still hoping a group of us can make it over tomorow if the M62 ever opens.

 

Absolutely brilliant day today - thanks to all at ELR for putting together a great gala especially given the weather conditions. Highlight must be the blazing braziers to try to thaw the water columns at Ramsbottom and Rawtenstall! The aim of 45212's fireman was unerring as he tossed hot coals from the footplate to get the Rawtenstall brazier going again!
More tomorrow!!

 

You might be unlucky.......

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/new.../m62-to-remain-closed-indefinitely-say-police

 

Was hoping to attend on Sunday but wondered how the roads were today (understand it could all change depending on what we get tonight). Would be traveling up from Staffordshire and hopefully parking at Bury Bolton Street. My cars rear wheel drive so not the best in snow/ice

 

No problems at all with roads and parking in Bury today.

As I will report later, it was great today, mostly because so many couldn't make it!

Peter in a cold but now minimally snowy Manchester
http://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com/

 

It burns coal and boils water. Reckon that makes it a proper engine.