Spring/Summer/Autumn 2018 CMEs

Comparison of this run to Tornado's load 13 non stop through Appleby on 16th September 2017 would be interesting to see.

 

Two photos from me of todays' superb run, the first at Birkett Common, the second on Wilpshire Bank.

 

I thoroughly enjoyed watching this and listening to 35018. Thank you for posting. The sound of a Merchant Navy shrugging off steep gradients and heavy trains is something those of us living down south have been used to with 35028 and the pullmans. While not such a heavy load as Clan Line regularly humps up Gomshall Bank, BIL seemed to be the complete master of the job.

 

35018 passing the golf course at Pleasington.


https://www.flickr.com/photos/48546196@N06/41344072494/in/datetaken/

Phil

 

35018 at Salterwath, Birkett Common and Wilpshire Bank

 

My effort of the northbound run near Docker

https://www.flickr.com/photos/23006205@N07/42064536791/in/dateposted-friend/

Seemed to be going very well.

Steven

 

Thanks for that and I’m now convinced West Coast can now have the power house machine that can do any load

 

All I can say is what a fantastic day out behind No. 18! Shrugged off all of the climbs and still had steam to spare (as we have come to expect, so it's good to see the tradition continuing!). I got a sense throughout that it wasn't being pushed too much, either, so I think it will do just as well with 12 on. A superb job by all concerned.

 

With 6201 rumoured to be in the works to join the fleet too, things will be on a better footing all round for the heavy fells work.

 

Sparkling stuff ! A shame another Bullied out today wasn't allowed in a higher gear !

 

Looking at the various excellent movies posted of yesterday's run, it doesn't strike me that an extra bogie or two would not have overly taxed MN18, plenty in reserve to my eyes.
It also occurs to me that much in the way the A1 conveys mastery and efficiency to observers, so too MN18 this week. A loco for crews to relish even if the spectacle might be less "cinematically" dramatic. As the balance should be, in other words.

 

Morning all. What a superb day out with a Merchant far from home.
Have spent a bit of time typing and the Carnforth-Carlisle Timings are in the pdf below. Hope there are no typos.
Will do Ais Gill and Wilpshire later.

 

Don't think a comparison will prove much Ian. If my memory serves me well that was a pretty murky afternoon with poor railhead conditions. Think 60163 was eased over the last mile or so around Mallerstang and to the summit because of the conditions.

 

Don’t know what else to add about yesterday, other than my full congratulations to everyone at 10A for rolling out such a superb loco. Yesterday’s performance was absolutely top drawer on all of the major climbs, with the feeling that she was still being held back!

 

That high end running down towards carlisle must of been enthralling, regardless of the aid of gravity.

 

Not supposed to quote mph like that on the forum; hence buried in the pdf!!!

 

I wouldn't say it's buried deep, as it's only a click away. I'm thankful you post accurate times, it will be interesting to see what's reported in HR or SR mags later on, hopefully nothing is sugar coated.