Dalesman 2018

Looks like that horse decided to leave when it noticed it was not British India Line!

 

Ah another soft Southerner

 

The Dalesman (Eastern Route) 05 June 2018 – 45690 Leander hauling 11+POB

Unlike my last Dalesman which was a late booking this one had been in the pipeline for some time. Off to Skipton where it was cloudy, dry and cool. The train arrived, powered by “top and tail” 37s. By the time we reached Hellifield it was blue sky and sunshine. It had been announced that there would be a Jubilee waiting to take us over the S&C and, “lo and behold” Leander and support were in the UGL. At 11.44 the Carlisle bound unit passed through the platform (2L). At 12.03 (5L) we were away (the unit cleared Horton at 12.02 – so the road would be clear). Mick Rawling was driving with Rob Hawkins on the shovel. I was in the 10th coach of 12, but had a table to myself as the couple sitting opposite decided to grab window seats at a vacant table further down the coach.

Such a long way back it was difficult to hear the exhaust (on this leg). We were up to 38 at Long Preston and 57 at Settle Jn. We were doing ok and had gained a minute as we passed through Settle at 43. But the gradient began to bite and into Stainforth Tunnel at 27 and, with such a heavy train, there was to be no recovery on this section, as is often the case. The exhaust could be heard now. Speed fell to 22 at Sheriff Brow, then dropped below 20 before straining back up to 20 at Helwith Bridge (8L). The level stretch was a welcome respite and we reached 28 before falling back to 21 as we passed through Horton in R (11L). Where the gradient eases there was a brief rally to 23 followed by a slog past Selside at 18 with the display on my GPS flicking onto “high 17s”. Leander was not “blasting out” and sounded like she was being nursed. There was then an improvement and, with the help of the short stretch of easier gradient, we were up to 25 at Ribblehead (17L). This improved to 16L at Blea Moor SB and we slogged on to enter Blea Moor Tunnel at 20. Settle Jn SB to Blea Moor SB had taken 33:51 against a booking of 22 minutes. I suspect that fireman was ready for a sit down and a drink.

Out of the tunnel at 42 and after the customary slowing through Dent we were back up to 49 at Garsdale (16L). I anticipated a bit of a charge to regain lost time. We crossed Dandry Mire at 51 but approaching Shotlock Hill Tunnel Leander was eased and we ran the next 5 miles at caution following reports of stray sheep. We were 18L at Ais Gill and over 19L at Mallerstang. Mick gave it a good go down the hill and had reduced the deficit to 15L by Ormside, but with only a 20 minute booked stop at Appleby, the stop was abandoned and we sped through the station at 57. We were now 5E and some good running down (and up) the hills saw us 8E at Langwathby. We continued running 7E and with the help of a generous allowance and a clear road stopped in platform 3 at Carlisle (20E).

I remained in the station to wait for the ECS to be shunted into A road. Rob Hawkins, the fireman, a young man, appeared very disappointed that he hadn’t been able to get more steam from the boiler – there will be other days! He did a darn sight better job than I would have done – we’d have been lucky to reach Settle (Jn).

A butty at a cafe on the square, eaten outdoors, followed by an ice cream, a bit of a mooch and then back to the station.

David Blair was at the regulator, with Paul McManus firing, as 45690 waited at the head of the stock on A road. Soon she was off south and then reversing back into platform 3. For the return leg I was 2½ coaches from the loco; toplight fully open, GPS switched on (finger problem 2 attempts required) and at 16:34 and one second we were off. The plan was to see how we were for time before committing to the Appleby stop.

We were 3E by Petteril Bridge Jn and, around 4 miles out, we breasted the first section of 1/132r at 26. A bit of level, then the 1/132r starts again, but by Howe & Co we were up to 39 and 1E. This fell back to 30 (eased?) but only half a mile later at Low House SB, with the help of a falling gradient (1/132f) we were up to 43. We nudged up to 53 in the following dip then roared up to Armathwaite at 47. Another short downhill and 52 into Armathwaite Tunnel, through the 3 tunnels and out of the last, Baron Wood No 1 at 46 (all 1/220r). Another downhill, then a shorter, steeper up and through Lazonby at 55 and 2E; the exhaust was the full Jubilee roar – terrific! 57 across Long Meg viaduct, then we were down to 46 as we climbed up through Little Salkeld (but still roaring). The gradient dragged us back to 39 through Langwathby (still 1E). A mile of 1/330r then a mile of level track allowed us to accelerate up to 50 at Culgaith. On adverse gradients (1/132r, 1/220r) speed fell back to 45 at Kirkby Thore, then a blast, with 51 just north of Long Marton, before easing for our stop at Appleby almost 3E. Phew!

As we slowed for Appleby the safety valves lifted. The loco did not take water, the fireman and driver did (and well earned), coal was raked forward and there was a bit of chat about the injector. Whilst in the station Leander blew off on at least 4 further occasions and then again shortly after we left on the next leg of our trip (1E).

We accrued 49 precious miles per hour by Ormside Viaduct with which to attack the first 3 miles of 1/100r. Half way up and into Helm Tunnel at 39 but the heavy train dragged us back to 29 at the top. Next, there follows 3 miles of easier gradients, we were up to 35 at Crosby Garrett, into the tunnel at 38 and up to 42 at Smardale Viaduct where the next (5 mile) section of 1/100r begins. Leander was giving her best but we fell back to 23 at Kirkby Stephen, this improved to 27 as the gradient eases for a short stretch, then down to 21 and into Birkett Tunnel and out at 20. There follows a brief respite of around a mile of 1/330r; we reached 29 at Mallerstang and a max of 34 at Sycamore Tree Farm. By Angerholme we were down to 26, this fell to 22 under the road bridge with a minimum of 20 beyond before rising to 23 at Ais Gill Summit Board (6½L). Appleby to the Summit Board in 36:27 against a 29 minute allowance.

The run along the top was going as per normal, however, as we approached Blea Moor SB we slowed, stopped, drew forward and stopped again. We were held for just under 15 minutes because of a signal/points problem. As we passed the box, the Arcow Quarry to Hunslet “Tarmac” train was standing in the UGL – this should already have left!?

Speed built gradually down the hill with the highlight, especially for those on the platform, was as we swept through Settle station at 62 with several long blasts on the whistle. All too soon we were back in Hellifield Loop 20L. Change of locos and we were away 2E and with a growling 37 at the front (and back), we arrived at Skipton RT.

Another excellent day out in what is becoming typical S&C weather. Thanks to the footplate crews who were given the task of encouraging a Jubilee with 12 on over the S&C (and back again), with no water stops en route and in warm weather – well done them! Thanks to everyone involved, not forgetting Roly Parker for guarding us throughout against . . . ? Danger, of course!

Well, Leander did it – but with how much to spare? Jubilees are not “plodding” engines. On the southbound run she fared much better on the undulating, higher speed section to Appleby than on the “lower speed, slogging” section beyond. Seems to me what is needed is a loco with high tractive effort, that is free-steaming, can run at line speed and has a generous water capacity. What’s that? WCRC have such a locomotive, but it’s gone to Scarborough for a holiday. Come back BIL, we need you!

 

She did it on the CME on 12th May! In some style, too.

 

You got the crew yesterday courtesy of my post, just i don t know the wcrc fireman by sight like I do the driver's !!

 

Yes I did thanks.

 

Is it the 8f today?

 

Yes

 

thank you

 

48151 near Kirkby Stephen .

 

Good stuff Steve, engine sounded well

 

Thanks Shep , it did sound good even with all the traffic noise from the main road but that was soon drowned out

 

Did you get the crews names Steve ?

 

No ,sorry Henry.

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/45407and44871/29044709328/in/dateposted-public/

48151 at Langcliffe with the outward leg

 

8F + 37 Mon 2 July. AN

 

That gives the photters who dont do diesels the day off then!

 

Correction, no steam, 2 37s T+T.

Steam ban imposed across network this morning. 48151 had been ready to run at Carnforth.

Andrew N