Dalesman 2018

Great Pictures

 

Fairly sure I saw Chris Cubitt hanging out of the drivers side going north at Lazonby. Not sure what his role on the footplate was? Like the side on one at Ais Gill Shep.

 

I wonder if there will be a change in loadings in regards to the different start points ? Nine compared to last year's trips is a big reduction.

 

The Dalesman (Western Route) 01 May 2018 – 48151 hauling 8+POB

After my last three steam hauled jaunts to exotic destinations (just short of the stop board on the Hindlow Branch, Whitby and Milepost 43 on the ECML) it was good to get back to a ride up and down the Settle & Carlisle; or should it be down and up?

This version of the Dalesman originates in Chester is routed through Frodsham and joins the WCML south of Warrington BQ with stops, inter alia, at Wigan NW, Leyland and Preston. As Leyland is only a dozen miles away from home and offers inexpensive parking (£1 for 24 hours) I opted to join the train there. Mrs W had better things to do.

It might have been the first of May but it was 4C when I left home and there was a cold northerly wind. The weather conditions made the wait on Leyland station less than pleasant. A couple of minutes late double headed 47s drew the train into the station, I was in coach E. The journey up to Carnforth D&UGL was uneventful and a chat with RalphW (who was stewarding in the next coach) helped to pass the time. In the loop 48151 was attached to the back of the train and a little early the diesels set off down the picturesque Little North Western. We arrived at Hellifield around 15E and rather than the scheduled wait in the platform to allow a west bound service to pass we continued down the Blackburn line, stopped and 48151 drew us back into the DGL where the diesels were detached.

We were due away at 11.58 but we didn’t leave until 12.10 (the preceding sevice train appeared to be running to time so . . ?). We were in the capable hands of driver, Chris Cubitt and fireman, Martyn Soames. By Long Preston we were up to 39 and by Settle Jn (12L) we were going along nicely. Gradually our speed was eroded and was down to 40 by Settle and continued to fall to 29 as we entered Stainforth tunnel and reached a minimum of 28 just beyond. Even in the rear of the 7th coach 48151 could be heard clearly as it was opened up, Helwith Bridge 31 but 15L, speed increased to 37 on the level approaching Crag Hall Farm but fell back to 32 & 16L at Horton in R. We held 32 past Selside and then we eased to 31 at Ribblehead, across the viaduct, past Blea Moor SB (12L) and into the tunnel. There was the usual slowing through Dent then up to 53 at Garsdale and 48 at Ais Gill Summit (12L). Despite some good downhill running we stopped in Appleby 15L – water for the loco, blackcurrant ice cream for me.

A quick water stop saw us depart only 5L but after about half a mile we stopped again for just under a minute (before the A66 crossing). By Long Marton we were over 6L. Some spirited downhill running and very good (noisy) work up the climbs saw us gradually reduce the deficit and by Howe & Co SB we were RT. A clear run in and a generous allowance saw us stop in platform 3 at Carlisle over 3E.

When leaving the train I discovered that a passenger had managed to fall off the platform and between coaches D & E. The stewards, WCR staff, Virgin staff and contractors working nearby all assisted. I subsequently heard (from the man’s wife) that he had a bump on his head and was checked out by ambulance staff but was OK; his injuries could have been far, far worse. He apparently missed his footing and stumbled.

Down to see Woodrow Wilson for lunch (noodles and chicken, again!), then a couple of errands in the city centre. Whilst I was walking back to the station there were a few raindrops in the wind. As I returned 48151 was collecting the stock from A road and then reversed it into platform 3. Back on board I was now at the front of the 4th coach, but travelling backwards.

David Blair (driver) and Frank Chippendale (fireman) had us away RT. A nice steady start (27 under the M6) and up to 30 at Cumwhinton near the top of the 1/132r. On the level this built to 36 & RT at Howe & Co but fell back to 32 at Cotehill as the 1/132r returned. The short downhill to Low Hill Crossing saw us 43 & RT and speed peaked in the dip and was held to 50 through Armathwaite (1/132r) RT. We left Armathwaite tunnel at 53, Barons Wood No2 at 49 and Barons Wood at 47 all on 1/220r. We had another dash down the 1/165f towards Lazonby (1E) and carried the speed through the station and up the 1/164r, 1/132r to Little Salkeld (49). We slowed through Langwathby (39 & RT) – but why? All became apparent when we stopped about 1.5 miles to the north, under the B6412 overbridge, where a water tanker awaited our arrival. We can surmise that the dispute between WCR and MSLO who operate the water crane at Appleby remains unresolved.

Watering took 12 minutes, a few minutes longer than is possible at Appleby (if needing to make up time). We passed our next timing point at Culgaith at 45 but now 15L. This had increased slightly as we passed Kirkby Thore SB at 46. 48151 was now trying to make up lost time as we stormed through Long Marton at 53 and onto the 1/120r before Appleby but it was now starting to rain. We blasted through Appleby only 1L at 47 but “they won’t sell much ice cream going at that speed”. We continued to accelerate and carried some useful impetus onto the 1/100r that begins at Ormside. Gravity and rising gradients eat speed, and by Crosby Garrett we were down to 36 and a shade the wrong side of RT, but we rallied to 40 on the easier gradients beyond. By Kirkby Stephen we were down to 30 and still about RT, 48151 was opened out and, accompanied by some wonderful exhaust noises and fine ash deposits, we accelerated up to 35. Into Birkett tunnel at 33 and out at 31, 38 at Mallerstang (RT) and up to 41 beyond. Now the final 3 miles of the climb, we passed under the road bridge at 29 (minimum of 28 before) and passed the summit board at 34 (2L). 48151 was eased and allowed to gather speed down the hill, Garsdale (53 & 2L), by Dent this had been reduced to 1L and we were RT at Blea Moor SB. Across the viaduct and speed was allowed to build slowly and despite frequent brake applications we passed through Settle station almost 2E, Long Preston 4E and finally stopped in Hellifield loop 1E. The rain had stopped.

48151 was detached, ran round its support coach and departed tender first for Carnforth. The 47s were attached and we waited for the remainder of our 55 minute stop (well almost all). We set off for Clitheroe but were held at Horrocksford Jn whilst a cement train cleared the section and held again at Clitheroe and yet again at Whalley. We sailed up Wilpshire bank, stopped at Blackburn to let a few passengers off and rocketed along in the darkness between Pleasington and Bamber Bridge, off at Leyland 21.15 and home 21.40 – job done!

Oswald’s Nature Notes – The cuttings were awash with primroses. There was a deer running up the hill on the edge of a wooded area (somewhere between Dent and Blea Moor Tunnel.)

Oswald’s Tip of the Day – If you want and ice cream at Appleby buy it on your northbound journey; you may not get another chance. More seriously, this dispute could have a significant impact on the revenues of the Friends of S&C.

I heard that the plan for this season’s mid-week steam is: 48151 for the Dalesmans, a Jubilee for the Fellsmans and BIL is going to Scarborough. We will have to see. I do have reservations about the 8Fs ability to keep to time, although it coped easily with 9 coaches, how will it fare with 11/12/13 given that it is limited to 50mph? However, it has coped in previous years.

Thanks to WCR for the operation of this train; professional as always. The train offers exceptional value for money on a wonderful line for steam. It seemed to be mostly filled with “tourists” from the local catchment areas rather than enthusiasts. I hope that the dispute about the use of the water crane at Appleby can be resolved as an ice cream on a sunny afternoon is not to be missed. However, watering from the road bridge does offer something different from a locomotive performance perspective. I hope that the unfortunate passenger who took a tumble makes a full and speedy recovery. Next trip, Dalesman 15 May when I will be accompanied by Mrs W, so the weather had better improve – or else!

Footnote – There was a More4 TV crew filming on board for part of a series on the Yorkshire Dales – fear not, Oswald does not appear!

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/45407and44871/41812524562/in/dateposted-public/

48151 at Dandry Mire

 

Does anyone know if tomorrow's train is running

 

Gone quiet on this thread (https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/west-coast-railway-dalesman-matter.1145717/page-2) so hopefully

 

RTT link here http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54713/2018/05/08/advanced

But...

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54714/2018/05/08/advanced

That suggests that the train will run, but T&T diesel hauled?

 

Thanks for the link but that will the 37s unless things have changed

 

Usually @RalphW has good gen on such matters.

 

Well, there's nothing showing for movements at York other than the arrival from 10A at 0815, & departure at 0835. Long way round for the ECS too - via Preston

 

Yes that's what you would expect - steam on at Hellifield :

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54717/2018/05/08/advanced

 

Aha! That wasn't there earlier, so that's hopefully good news then. Fingers crossed.

 

That path was always there but until it’s active in the am who knows

 

Presumably it will run irrespective of whether the steam section can go ahead?

 

I've heard it may be something green tomorrow from Hellifield...

 

5Z44 path activated 0645 so together with this message hopes rising.